#Choice by Janelle

#Choice by Janelle - April 2018 Scholarship Essay

It seems as though education has taken on a very negative connotation. Between the stress, the work, the responsibilities, the lack of sleep, the high expectations, and the less than pleasant classmates, many people would define their meaning of education as "lonely," "regret," or "pain." However, for me, education is so much more than the emotions linked to school experiences.

I chose "choice" as my hashtag because it represents both the negative and positive elements of education. The ability to choose is also a core element of education. Though we are unable to choose whether or not we go to school for the first seventeen-eighteen years of our lives, we are able to choose what happens during those years we spend in school. Our choices determine the types of friends we make and the groups we hang out with. We have a choice in the rigor of our classes; regular or AP, advanced or honors. We have choices in the type of classes we take such as which art class we choose to enroll in, and we have the choice to join specialized programs, sport teams, clubs, dance groups, and so much more. All of our choices in high school shape who we become.

We have the choice to do well in school, take risks, and attempt to accomplish the goals we set for ourselves. We also have the choice to slack off, take the easy route and hope everything will work out in the end. Our choices have consequences and we learn from these consequences just as we learn various subject matter in school. Education is the opportunity to extend our knowledge and prepare us for life beyond school. It is the learning of science, math, English, foreign language, art, and social sciences. It also a controlled, and safe place to make mistakes (generally).

Education is our choice to learn something new, to perfect something old, and to start to shape the person we will be once we enter the work force. Education influences our choices as much as our choices influences education. That is the reason why, for me, education means choice.