A Possibility for Change by Karishma

A Possibility for Change by Karishma - July 2018 Scholarship Essay

School is an integral part of a child’s life, not only in the learning sense, but also in the social regard. It is where a child spends a majority of their childhood - learning essential information, developing their skills, and meeting new people to make long lasting friendships with. To many students, school is like a second home, so why is it that these institutions may sometimes feel like a jail or a chore rather than a place to freely and willingly learn and socialize?

The environment of a school is determined by not only the staff members of the school, but also the students. I’m sure that many people have heard the “golden rule”: “treat others how you want to be treated.” But, how much has that really done? Unless implemented, these are just more words that go in through one ear and come out the other. Mahatma Gandhi once said “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” In order to be that change one must first take action.

The best way to take action is to start small. This means simply being kind to others and respecting everyone equally can spark a change. Although it may not be evident, being a leader and setting a good example will cause others to follow and therefore make a school or community better. Setting a good example for others can include doing simple deeds such as befriending a lonely colleague who may not have many friends or helping a fellow classmate out with their homework or a particular topic that they may be having trouble with. Even something as simple as standing up for someone if he/she is being teased instead of being a bystander can result in a positive change.

When I was 10 years old, my family and I took a trip to India and while I was there, I noticed a lot of poverty and many people were homeless. As we were walking into a store, a man with ragged clothes and a messy figure was sitting against the side of the building and people just walked by him as though he was not in need of help. Before entering the store, I decided to go up to the man with my mother and I gave him the money that my mom gave to me to buy a souvenir. Although it may have not made a big difference to others in the community, my act of kindness made a big impact on that man and I was happy knowing that I was able to make a positive impact even though it was just in one man’s life. I know it is easier said than done, however by starting small through helping others and treating everyone justly and fairly, it makes it easier to make a larger difference in the future.