Reflecting on Success by Isaac

Reflecting on Success by Isaac - February 2021 Scholarship Essay

Success is a complex subject that many people think very differently of. Someone with mental health issues may think that a lack of said issues defines success, whereas someone with financial difficulties may find wealth to be the definition of success. Personally, I believe that success encompasses quite a large number of different aspects. I also believe that people have different definitions of success depending on where they are in life, and I am no exception. Currently, I’m in college, and as a result, my short-term definition of success focuses on succeeding as a college student, whereas my long-term definition of success is much, much different.
From my experience, a good chunk of college students seem to view collegiate success as having incredible grades or getting all your work done in a timely manner. I personally think that, while both of these viewpoints are valid and are both aspects of a successful college student, they do not quite encompass the whole definition of collegiate success. The other major aspect of succeeding in college comes in the form of being able to properly apply what you learn into your classes into both your day-to-day life as well as your future career. Studying for eight hours to get a perfect score on a test is great and all, but it means nothing if you don’t know how to properly use the information. Simply knowing is not enough. By figuring out how you can apply the knowledge you gain in college, you will not only succeed throughout your time as a college student, but you will also fare far better in the professional world and you will likely have a higher chance to achieve success.
As I stated previously, success in your professional life will likely be viewed much differently than success in your college life. Collegiate success was focused primarily on good grades and the application of knowledge, and while applying your knowledge certainly translates over to professional success, there are a few other factors that are included within this new definition of success. Those factors are mental, physical, and financial. It is my belief that in order to be successful, you must first prioritize these three qualities so that they are in tip-top shape. To be mentally successful, one must focus on their mental health and work towards improving both their mental health and their state of mind. To be physically successful, one must maintain both a strong exercise routine as well as eating habits that will allow oneself to stay fit and in good shape. To be financially successful, one must work hard to ensure that they make money to sustain both themselves and their families. By working to attain success in each of these areas, anyone can become highly successful, at least by my definition of success.
Put simply, success and the process of achieving success are both very complex, with multiple aspects that change throughout people’s lives. Not everyone will agree with my definition of success, but it is my belief that success is defined by the individual, not by society. Therefore, you may appear successful to someone else but feel as though you have accomplished nothing. Even if that is the case, if you work hard and put your mind to whatever your definition of success may be, then someday you will achieve success.