Change of Heart by hannah

Change of Heart by hannah - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

Finally, the new year has arrived! I've been in anticipation for this day because it will give me a chance to set goals for my last semester of high school. Personally, I believe it is extremely important to have resolutions for every new year in order to improve different aspects of your life.
As a child I never took my New Year’s resolutions to heart. According to me, New Years Eve was just an opportunity to dream of accomplishments that would most likely not happen. My friend and I would joke about striving to eat healthier, making new friends at school, or trying to minimize the amount of fighting with our siblings. Unfortunately, none of these resolutions were ever accomplished as a result of my lack of determination.
I spent so much of my life in middle school on my phone or on the computer looking through social media instead of using my time and energy to reach the goals I had set for that year. I didn’t realize how many days I was wasting away until after I entered high school. At that time, my future felt closer than ever, therefore I desperately attempted to leave my old habits behind, and instead, focus my energy on learning and becoming the best student I could be.
This year, I have decided to make a special resolution. I want to live my life in the moment and to not become distracted or pressured by society. Although it is important to keep focused on school work in order to learn, get good grades, and eventually get into a good college, it is equally important, in my opinion, to live your life without constantly worrying and being afraid about what the future will bring. I will work diligently at my school work, but I will do so in a way that allows me to find time to spend with my family and friends. With college less than a year away, I can no longer afford to keep taking advantage of all the incredible people in my life.
In addition to living life one day at a time, this year I wish to become more confident in myself as a student. Society wants people to believe that they have to be knowledgeable in every subject in order to have a chance at a successful life and future. I will always have weaknesses in certain areas of learning, but those weaknesses will not drown out my strengths or interfere with my confidence. Although I may not score as high as other students in specific subjects, I will continue to be proud of myself and what I have learned and accomplished throughout my life. I am becoming my own unique student and there is nothing I want more for this new year.