One Day, a Kind Student Died. "So it goes" by Kelly

One Day, a Kind Student Died. "So it goes" by Kelly - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

The click clack of my keyboard stormed on the eve of the new year, as any teenager’s would, but this, this was different. Texting Jenny about how I dreamed the cutest boy would sweep me up and kiss me did not explain the click-clacking of my keyboard. The source? Kurt Vonnegut. No, he was not the “cute boy” I wanted a kiss from when the clock struck midnight. He lacked that capacity, for Kurt died in 2007. “So it goes”. No, his death did not inspire me; however, his words did. Words do not mean anything without action “and so on.” A cliche, I am aware; nevertheless, it holds true, for I am anecdotal evidence of it. Anyway, I took action upon his words: "There's only one rule that I know of, babies—[Darn it], you've got to be kind”. I- have got to be kind.
Over my short lifespan, I realize that this trait escaped me on a daily basis. Yes, kindness presents itself in my everyday actions; however, not in every action. Yes, a preposterous notion to say that I must be kind with every action, but I ask you, why not? Why shouldn’t I greet my teachers and peers with a simple, “Good morning! Good afternoon! or good night!”? Why shouldn’t I tackle every question with a tone of equality rather than superiority and annoyance? Why shouldn’t I become a better student by enhancing the days ambiance with a dash of kindness? Kindness, a treasured trait, lacks presence in today’s turbulent society, and I’m here, in 2016, to bring it back one teacher, one peer, one word at a time. To tackle this, my mindset must first be slightly altered. Trashing the feeling of pique toward those who score higher, ditching the typical teenage pretentious state of mind, and eliminating the word inferior from my meat computer’s describing words: here, I mention only a few changes I intend to make.
Now, plenty of people tend to laugh at the idea of a resolution, specifically the resolutions that promise change. Why? Because even researchers know it’s difficult to change a part of you and your daily life. That’s why they suggest not to deprive yourself but to extend yourself. I intend to not only deprive myself of a nasty habit but also to extend my helping hand to those in need. If I see a peer struggling to grasp a concept, I will simply ask how everything is going. If I see a teacher going through the motions, I’ll strike up a conversation for pleasure’s sake. If I see a friend in need of a pick me up to get through the rest of a horrible test day, I’ll ease their mind with a cute cat video that just went viral. Being kind isn’t just deprivation of anger and sadness because you can feel like punching a pillow, but instead, you hug a pug! You smile at a stranger! You tutor a troubled student. Kindness is not deprivation. Kindness is an extension of the best part of life. So, my journey into 2016 begins with me becoming a kinder person in general, but also a kinder student to those around me. The right attitude gets you “A’s,” and adopting kindness is definitely right in my books.
One day, as Kurt Vonnegut, I will be dead, “so it goes,” but I’d rather be remembered as “that kind girl” instead of the alternative.