New Year, Better Accomplishments by Jayda

New Year, Better Accomplishments by Jayda - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

As the time nears when I graduate high school and move on to another chapter of life, every decision I make crucially contributes to where I want to be in life within the next couple of years. Ringing in the New Year, there are many areas I would like to start bettering myself. Along with the normal New Year’s resolutions such as eating healthier, or saving more money, I’d also like focus much more on the area of academics. My resolution to achieve this is to understand that it is perfectly alright to not have everything figured out, and even ask for help when I need it!
Growing up in a broken home, I was taught to be very independent and self-reliant, and for the past twelve years of grade school this has showed a lot through my education. For the longest time I struggled with not being able to accomplish everything, and feeling as if I was always drowning in community activity or academics. Though within the New Year, I have finally finished admitting to myself that perhaps the reason I was not able to accomplish everything is merely because I felt as if I needed to take all responsibility, all on my own. In school, I have always been the person in the group of partners that took charge and did all of the work—I assume this is because I have a very large drive to be successful and the best I can possibly be. Convincing myself that it is accepted to call for help or back-up was a large break-through for me, as now I walk lighter and breathe much easier. I realized that I do indeed have people that I can depend on… people that hold me accountable when my visions start getting blurry.
When writing out my 2016 New Year’s resolutions for, a tradition my family does every New Year’s Eve, I almost did not include asking for help with school, my personal life, or finances on the list. I wanted to work hard as much as I could to one day make my own dreams come true. Though I have soon after begun to realize that not everything is about being successful, but much rather about learning to understand and grow knowledge in life. I explained to myself that what good is being successful, if I was not confident in everything I was learning. I also explained to myself that asking for help was not a sign of weakness; but a sign of actual maturity.
During the year of 2016, I plan to still work hard in academics and volunteer as much as possible within my local community. Reminding myself all throughout the year that I do not have to be alone in my accomplishments will help me be more efficient, as well as open doors and connections for me to ultimately be a better, more successful student and be happier with my life.