Academically Challenging Situation by Jamie

Academically Challenging Situation by Jamie - April 2019 Scholarship Essay

An academically challenging situation that I have encountered was trying to get placed into my statistics class. As a previously homeschooled student, I have not taken the SAT or ACT. As a result, while registering for my college courses, I was unable to be placed directly into my introductory statistics class.

I was given two options: Take a college algebra course, or refresh my math skills and take a math test to be placed into statistics. I chose to study for the math test. I did not want to take the easy way out and enroll in an algebra course; this would have been easier, in that I would learn at a slower pace, but it would have taken me longer to pursue my degree. I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome my educational barrier, and that I could pass the test and be ready for school.

For several months, I diligently studied high school math. I used helpful online resources to revisit basic concepts of arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, etc. The process of relearning high school mathematics was academically challenging because there was such a vast amount of topics to relearn in the span of several months. In addition, math has always been the most difficult subject for me to understand.

Although the process was mentally draining, my decision paid off. I took the math placement test and I earned a passing score. I am proud of myself for facing my academic challenge head-on and moving one step closer to earning my first degree. Because I chose to overcome my academic obstacle, I have learned useful mathematical concepts that I can apply to the real world and my future career, and I am now fully prepared to start school.