How Informal Education Has Been Major For Me by Gavin

Gavin's entry into Varsity Tutor's June 2024 scholarship contest

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How Informal Education Has Been Major For Me by Gavin - June 2024 Scholarship Essay

I never have and still do not like the courses we are required to take in school. Science, Math, English, History, with small exceptions to the latter half, are all so mundane. If we were being honest, I could not tell you a single person who enjoys learning about all that basic information aside from them having a riveting teacher. But I might be wrong with that statement and stand in the minority with such an opinion. I do believe though that students prefer their elective classes. The classes which shape their interests and determine their future. Of course, the student chooses an elective class based on what they like, especially outside of school. This is why informal education is crucial as it helps us learn what we should be putting our efforts into. One more thing is I have learned articulate language for myself rather than calling my mom to ask for advice about writing which I know certain friends I have that do so.
Informal education has helped me find my passion. I am planning on majoring in justice studies in college which completely came from my learning outside of the classroom. Watching youtube video essays about DB Cooper, murder mystery documentaries dealing with the OJ situation, or even reading Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations. These fascinate me and because I am so invested, this is the field I would like to be smarter in. I would much rather deal with philosophical moral questions rather than algebraic equations such as x+y+z=k. Now with informal education installed in my brain, I know what to chase. I want to do something similar to criminology in College so I need to do well in high school to make it into a college with that course. My goal to expand upon my informal education was the perfect motivator I needed.. Another way which helped me succeed is taking a couple of classes in high school which fit my interests that came from informal education. International Relations was my most consistent grade around a high A. This helped a lot to boost my gpa and even helped in other classes; ie. government. Aside from wanting to do a certain thing in college, I took German for six years which started with me playing Call of Duty with my best friend in 6th grade. The story in the game revolved around the world wars and Germany. Something clicked in those moments and I knew learning German would be fun in school and out of school. Not only have I unlocked for myself the advanced studies diploma, but possible AP credits in addition to furthering academic studies. Deutsch war toll und mein Lieblings klasse. There is no doubt that this structure of learning will help me exceed the standards in college as well as to find my future career.

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