Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, Neither Was I by Jadyn

Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, Neither Was I by Jadyn - July 2024 Scholarship Essay

At a very early age, it became extremely important for me to have every detail of my life planned out meticulously. Despite my mom's constant reminder that "Rome wasn't built in a day", in my heart I knew the more I planned, the easier my future would be compared to those who simply took "life as it came". My plan consisted of taking AP courses that would help me on the path of becoming a Biochemist. The strict study plan I created would aid me in achieving grades that make me eligible for the prestigious Howard University. I collected all of the proper paperwork and many signatures of my mother's to apply for Early Admissions which heightened by chances of admission by 25%. After getting in, I would take the max number of credits all while working full-time and graduate early with a good paying job in my field lined up. It sounds crazy writing it all out, but 17 year-old Jadyn believed this was the only route to success.

So you can imagine her surprise when she gets to Howard, all moved into her dorm room when she receives an email stating her financial aid cannot be dispersed until her high school submits her official transcripts. The utter shock still sends a chill to my spin to this very day. Despite the amount of work I put into planning every second of my future, my guidance counselors lack of communication with the university in addition to my high school's broken fax machine had ruined every minute of meticulous planning. After what felt like thousands of phone calls with the receptionists of Greenfield High School, I realized this paperwork wouldn't be send over until the guidance counselor came back to work in September! I couldn't wait that long as Howard wouldn't have allowed me to start my courses until I at least had a form of payment. And unfortunately, I didn't have $20,000.

However, this halt in my path was the best thing that ever happened to me. Deep down, this planning had stunted my personal growth. I wasn't ready to be 600 miles away from home. I wasn't ready to be taking full time college courses while working full time. As much as I planned, my soul wasn't prepared for this path. And as much as I hate to admit, my mom was right. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither can my life. Everything good and worth while takes time to create and carefully curate. Life isn't something you can control with blueprints. It's something you have to plan around. Taking every day as it comes at you is the only way to be truly happy.

Also, taking the year away from the competitive academic environment I was so fond of helped me plan for a career I truly enjoy. Law. As a child who loved to argue and hated to be wrong, I am excited to pursue the career path of becoming an attorney. To have a career I can not only thrive in personally but to have a career I can use to give back to my community will be the most rewarding part of my future.