The Game Changer by John
John's entry into Varsity Tutor's June 2024 scholarship contest
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The Game Changer by John - June 2024 Scholarship Essay
Formal education is something that is very valuable and should not be taken for granted. The opportunity to be able to study at the elementary, junior high, high school, and postsecondary levels is truly a privilege. However, it is important to realize that there are some things that cannot be learned in a traditional classroom. This is where informal education comes in to help us find practical answers to some of the biggest questions in life. This type of learning is one that has not just had a positive impact on some of my skills, but it has also played a major role in my academic success.
One of my first notable experiences with informal education came when I began to learn the acoustic guitar at the age of eleven. During the summer following a resilient sixth grade effort, I was juggling multiple hobbies such as playing basketball and attempting to write short novels. Amid all this multitasking, I decided to add to my wide range of interests. By this point, I had known for quite a while that there was an old nylon-string guitar that my mom had not picked up in almost thirty years. One day, I decided that I wanted to learn how to play this instrument. With permission, I was able to take on this initiative, and pretty soon, I found free online lessons from a guitar instructor whose content is geared primarily toward kids. This newly founded adventure felt like it was just what I needed to fully kick summer into gear.
Although I knew that I was learning a very practical skill, I did not really look at it as any specific type of training. I thought that I was just chasing what possibly seemed like a wild dream at the time. However, looking back on that point in my life, I realize that I took part in some sort of informal education. Rather than being told by a teacher that I needed to do so, I was the one who had decided to learn how to play this incredibly versatile instrument. Not only was it my personal choice to take up this initiative, but I had also done so during my vacation from typical schooling. Although what I had been taught was not something from the classroom, it was extremely beneficial.
While this style of learning was not related to my scholastic activities, it had a big impact on my academic success. Throughout my time taking that guitar course, there was a great deal of persistence required as there were many times when I felt like giving up. However, whenever I felt like raising my white flag, I decided that persevering through the struggles would ultimately do me much good. This trait of being resilient is one that would help me greatly in the next several years of my studies, especially in high school. As a homeschooled student from elementary to high school graduation, it was critical that I developed not only valuable study skills but also persistence and strong character, enabling me to excel over the years. This is not to say that grades are what define an individual, but rather, it is encouragement to not just settle for mediocrity only because it is easier than striving for excellence. Another area that learning the guitar helped in my academic endeavors was that it taught me to always be open to expanding my horizons. After finishing my initial lessons, I knew that there was much more to learn, and therefore, I decided that I was going take advantage of whatever resources were available to grow my knowledge of the guitar. This mirrors one of the main reasons why I made the choice to pursue higher education. I realized that there was a lot more to discover, and furthering my scholastic instruction would be an incredible way to accomplish that.
My exposure to informal education clearly proves how it can be extremely valuable. To the surprise of some, this method of learning can even have a favorable effect on academic activities. Choosing to pursue instruction that can be experienced outside the classroom is something that should be widely encouraged, not shied away from. I am fully convinced that it has been and will continue to be a game changer for countless individuals just as it has been for me.