For the Times to Come by Kayla

For the Times to Come by Kayla - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

Entering the realm of college isn't solely about pursuing higher education; for me, it's a deliberate choice to slow and savor my childhood life before plunging into the responsibilities of adulthood. As I stand before this new chapter in my life, the desire to prolong what I had very little experience with, propels my eagerness to the experience of college. I want to go to college because I want to explore more before going into the “real world”, I want to show that I can be mature while putting a pause on a possible career, and I want to improve my skills as an artist so that I may find a job that I’m happy with.
First, I want to explore more before going into the “real world”. You see, my "childhood" wasn't the best. Only these past couple of months have I really been able to be the kid I longed to be. This is because I had lived with my father for 17 years of my life and just recently have I made changes to that living situation. I love my father, he can be a good man. However, growing up I was put with the burden of having to take care of my brothers since I was nine years old. He was always really busy in my early childhood years and I had to take the responsibility. We grew up under the poverty level so that made times more tough. If I can take care of two boys at the age of nine and be that mature at that young, I believe I can handle the responsibility of college. Going to college lets me have a few more years of figuring things out before I actually get out.
Second, I want to show that I can be mature while putting a pause on a possible career. College symbolizes more than just textbooks and classrooms; it symbolizes a traditional space between the familiar comforts of youth and the uncharted territories of adulthood. It’s a “buffer zone” where responsibilities are present but not overwhelming from my perspective. It will give me time to look at possible career options for I’m, as of now, am not sure what I want to become yet. As time is slowly, yet so hasty, coming to my adult years; I would like to give myself more time to explore my options further.
Finally, I want to improve my skills as an artist so that I may find a job that I’m happy with. Ever since I was very little, I have always loved art. I still do all sorts of art to this day! I specialize in realism in all sorts of mediums, I have made music and play the violin. However, I am more interested in the visual arts. I would like to pursue this further in college and better my skills so that maybe I could make it into a career or even a side job of sorts. Art became an escape of mine when times were tough. Such as when my parents separated, my grandmother passed, my first break up, etcetera. It’s therapeutic to me in a way and I would love to continue this passion.
In conclusion, I want to go to college because I want to explore more before going into the “real world”, I want to show that I can be mature while putting a pause on a possible career, and I want to improve my skills as an artist so that I may find a job that I’m happy with. I believe college will be a great experience for me and I hope to get as many scholarships as possible because my family has always struggled financially. I am willing to write as many essays as possible to help myself and my family get the help we will need.