Slacker to Star by Grace

Slacker to Star by Grace - June 2016 Scholarship Essay

Of course there are always those kids that get incredible grades without trying. They never make flashcards or spend countless hours rewriting spanish words to memorize absurd definitions. They are naturally smart. Information rolls seamlessly into their brains like a river flows into a delta. I thought this could be me the beginning of freshman year. Never do your homework. Never raise your hand in class. Never get extra help if you are struggling. I thought high school would be smooth sailing-until I entered biology.
I received my first test back from my teacher around the second week of school. The topic this week is evolution. My naive freshman self clutches the piece of paper like a boss and sits back down at my desk. I look at the paper. Big fat F. My eyes widen and I internally breakdown. I feel as if I have been defeated by an entire army. I look nervously around the room to see if anyone saw my test. I glimpse a few exceptional grades and feel even more shameful. I stop. From this day forth, I will be a better student. I will stick to my responsibilities and do my homework.
I tell my dad I need a new desk. He doesn’t understand why. I say I need one because I am going to become the best student there ever was, and the world better watch out. He finally agrees to take me to ikea. I spot my desk. My new best friend. It has a toasted, woody looking top with four white legs. I run my hands across the surface and tell him this one is just write. My motivation is off the charts. I get home and assemble my new sidekick. I venture to target to a plethora of sticky notes: reds, yellows, blues, greens, and pinks. I buy razor sharp pencils and fine, ball-point pens. I stack crisp pieces of white paper on the side of my desk. I arrange my laptop in the center and manipulate my lamp to settle right above it. I hang up a calendar and write down all my assignments and texts.
The next day at school Ms. Smith says that the next test will be a week from now, and that gives us plenty of time to study. I eagerly rush home to settle into my desk chair for the night. I highlight. I take quick handed notes. I reread the material so well that I can site the entire book back to my mom. I develop self confidence and take pride in my work. Organization is no longer my struggle. I arrive at my biology test renewed and ready for action. I answers come to me like notes come to a musician. I receive my test back with a 95%. Never again will I be a slacker.