Can't by Katherine

Can't by Katherine - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

The word can't is used in society's every day language. This word implies the idea that every time someone learns something new that seems more difficult that it can't be done or understood. When I was in the second grade, I was involved in the gifted program at my school. My teacher was Mrs. Bonelli. Each time anyone in the class would say, "I can't figure this out." Mrs. Bonelli would tell us we were not allowed to use that word in her classroom.
I learned a lot the three years I had her as a gifted teacher. For one, if I always say I can't do something and have a negative attitude, how will I ever accomplish anything. You will never succeed in accomplishing anything in life if you lack the self-confidence in yourself.
Another lesson I learned from Mrs. Bonelli in these years was to give everything one hundred percent. Along with not allowing us to use the word can't, I realized that I can't halfway do things and expect good results. If you go into a task that seems impossible with an attitude that is only fifty percent positive and the rest if negative, you definitely won't succeed.
Lastly, I learned not to give up on myself. You have to believe in yourself to have a shot a succeeding in anything. If you go into a test thinking I am going to fail, chances are you probably will. If you choose to say okay, I know I studied and have prepared to the best of my ability, you will probably do better than you imagined doing.
Today, I am a high school student and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. If I had told myself, I will never get into that school and had not completed the application, no, I would not be where I am today. Since, I made the choice to apply for the school, I got accepted. Without this lesson I learned over the course of three years, I would still be attending a regular high school in my hometown. Take note, do not think or believe you can't do something that seems impossible. You never know what will happen until you give it a try with one hundred percent effort.