College Essay by Kennedy

College Essay by Kennedy - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

The question I've been asked throughout my life that still sticks with me as I continue down my journey through life is “what motivates you, why do you keep going”. Growing up, I'd continuously struggle through school. Mainly with reading and writing, these would make life difficult. Around my middle school academic years I was put into a special class made for students who were behind and tested at a lower level. I was so determined to get out of the class and be in the classes all of my friends were in because I so desperately wanted to feel smart like the other students. I was motivated to do better, and excel at reading and writing.

As I passed through the fifth grade, I was learning from others around me and would study how others would read and learn from their mistakes, accomplishments, losses, and wins. I may not have picked up on it right away because learning to mentally take anecdotal data on how to improve was something difficult to learn and apply at age 11. That thought always stuck in my mind. I want to keep going to make myself feel like I was smart, I wanted to be advanced or even caught up. I wanted to make my family proud but more importantly I wanted myself to feel proud of the hard work that I put into my academic’s.

My family was a big motivation in my life. My uncle was my biggest supporter with getting me caught up in my reading. He would sit me down after school to read a book. Once I finished a book, he would take me back to the library and would help me find one I was interested in or had a liking to. He’s the reason I am caught up in reading and helped pave the way for my understanding of books and words I was foreign to. “what keeps you motivated” this phrase would constantly ring through my head every time he'd sit me down and help me read. What kept me motivated during middle school? He did, everytime i faced a challenge or something I struggled with, he would always take time out of his busy schedule to help me, and he'd let me take as much time as I needed to overcome the challenge I was coming face to face with.

As the year passed, I was still in the class going into my sixth grade year. I was not ecstatic about it, but once again I was determined to do good, for myself, for my family. The year came and went and I was getting closer to my goal that I was very motivated to reach. The end of the academic year approached and I had finally accomplished my goal. I graduated from the special education class and was put into the classes I was originally placed in. That feeling of accomplishment and reaching that goal was so captivating. I felt very proud of myself and was very happy that I could make my uncle proud. All those hours we spent on the couch, at the library, and kitchen table, was worth it. It not only shaped my perspective on life, it brought unforgettable memories with my uncle.

Now those words are still with me as my high school experience is coming to a close. My goals throughout life is to pursue a career in the medical field, and to accomplish this goal and aspirations, I need to stay motivated. That's when those words start to ring through my mind again, why am I motivated for the things I set as a goal. I always come back to that saying, knowing why I am doing and what I put my mind to.