Let's Talk. by Jacob

Let's Talk. by Jacob - September 2014 Scholarship Essay

Less than a year remains before I venture off into the world as an independent. Before that can happen there are two things I am supposed to have decided in order to make this next major step in my life a success: What am I going to do, and how am I going to do it? The first of these questions is one that will vary by person. The second question, however, could be condensed into one single answer: By having the ability to talk.

I am a homeschooler. My mother and father had literally taught me everything I knew until I was thirteen when I began going part time at my local public school. I do not in the least bit regret my parents’ decision to educate me themselves; I personally believe the quality of learning is much increased by homeschooling, but it is an undeniable fact that homeschoolers often turn out less sociable than most. As a result, the first couple years that I attended the public school I was easily labeled as an introvert, which I was, and I had a hard time fitting into any of the numerous cliques found in a public school system. The latter years of my high school life changed that, but because of this I was allowed to keenly observe the way relationships work in a learning environment, which led me to this idea I had about people: if a C-average student is capable of having an intelligent conversation, they are much more likely to succeed than an A-average student who sees nothing more than the end of his shoes. In the professional world people are required to play by the book: follow the technicalities and good scores. However, I think it is important to realize that we are all still humans. If a person likes somebody, they are going to try their best to help them do well regardless of what is technically “correct.” I believe this most certainly applies to university life and the goals we have when we get there.

What are our primary goals during those four or five years of college? The first answer to this question is easy: Get a good education that will give you the credentials and ability to have a quality career after graduation. Hard work is important for this, but what is often overlooked by those in this stage is that we are here to learn. We are being taught by another person. We are still in the process of gaining this knowledge, so we do not know everything. The best way to learn anything is by asking questions. In a classroom, I believe the entire reason a good professor lectures is to feed students with enough information so they have to ask those questions in order to get the full education that is intended. If we do not have the capability to comfortably approach a professor or a peer and ask them a question, I believe we are going to have difficulty succeeding in any environment.

The second answer to this question is not entirely logical, but it is true nevertheless. As I finish up high school, I have been bombarded with the typical questions of “What are you going to do?” and “Where are you going to go?” When I give my answer, there is one common statement that almost every person responds with: “Make sure to have fun while you’re in college. It’s the most fun time of your life.” Yes schoolwork is incredibly important and working hard is one of the only ways to succeed in life, but the relationships we have with others is perhaps one of the most special things we are given during our short time on earth. College is a time of finding your independence and figuring out exactly who you are and who you want to be, and the best way to do that is with the people around you. So much happens in these short few years and as much as I want to have a successful career, I know I do not want to be sitting at a desk with a pencil in my hand the entire time.

I realize what I have said here is not true for every person. There are many extremely intelligent people in the world who never needed to ask a question or seek aid from anyone. Without them, the world would not be the place it is today. There are also many in the world who do not need other people. Finding pleasure in their work, or the beauty of the earth, or just about anything is enough for them. I know that is not the case for me, I love people too much. But for who I am, I believe the ability to talk to people, to build connections and relationships, and to be willing to seek help is the most important thing we have. Words are relevant, useful, and beautiful. Let’s use them.