Motivation from Within by Kelly

Motivation from Within by Kelly - September 2013 Scholarship Essay

As one goes through life, it is important to be surrounded by positive and motivated people. Great relationships with successful individuals, whether that be parents, teachers, or friends, can inspire a young child to succeed. But what happens when those supportive relationships aren't made? Some children suffer and fall behind, but the strongest individuals are the ones who motivate themselves, and are capable of pushing past obstacles to become great. Growing up I wasn't surrounded an intelligent or supportive family. Because of an uncomfortable home life, I didn't connect well with most teachers and peers. But even though I didn't have a role-model to help me, I have grown to see myself as not only an academic role-model to my self, but also to others around me.Ever since I was little I loved school. School was the place that I could accomplish anything I wanted to, without being judged or scolded. I thrived in learning skills and developing knowledge. I simply wanted to know more. It was never a competition or comparison to others, but just a continual want for more. The feeling of accomplishment was the best emotion I had ever felt. Because I learned things so quickly, I was often fast-tracked to harder skills. Even in kindergarten I remember the teacher sending me to the library to read on my own as others were just learning how. Teachers gave me different materials and packets than other students and knew that I could do much more than others. I motivated and inspired my self to succeed academically. Going through school, my success continued. In sixth grade I was pushed a year ahead in math and started taking high school level classes my 8th grade year. Despite parent protests, and concerns from counselors, I continued an accelerated path in school through high school. AP classes, concurrent college classes, and minimal elective classes have allowed me to acquire the knowledge beneficial to success in life. I have pushed myself to be the best I know I can be. My role-model is the person I know I want to be in the future, rather than someone else. I have always wanted to be my own individual. I could never imitate or take a part of someone else's work ethic or character and call it my own: I want to be myself. Even though I think this way, I believe role-models are important to many individuals. I teach and coach kids on a daily basis, and encourage them to find inspiration from both others and themselves. It comforts me to know that they have role-models like myself to look up to, and from great role-models they will become role-models themselves. My most inspirational role-model is myself. From a very early age, I felt on my own for support and encouragement. You may argue that role-models are crucial to success,but I know that one can inspire themself. While we could search and search trying to find someone to be like, the best place to look is inside yourself. For as an individual, one becomes a truly unique and successful human being.