Soaring Into the Unknown by Kiersten

Soaring Into the Unknown by Kiersten - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

Baby birds spend the first weeks of life in the mother’s nest, protected from the struggles and experiences found in the real world. They learn everything they can from their parents during these first few weeks of life and this knowledge will remain with them for the rest of their lives. But there comes a point when the baby birds have learned as much as they can from their parents and have prepared as much as possible for life on their own. No more knowledge or experience can come from remaining in the nest and they must make the leap into the real world. The leap is terrifying and risky, not just because of the height but also because they will be leaving the protection found under the wings of their parents. The baby birds hesitantly make their way to the edge of the nest, slowly spread their wings, and jump! The leap is petrifying for a moment but soon the wind will come along under the baby’s wings and he will soar. Never looking back, he flies off into a world full of possibility armed with the teachings of his parents and is forever grateful that he took the leap that provided him with his independence and opened up a world of endless opportunities.
College is a leap into the unknown and requires faith in the accumulation of knowledge gained from parents, mentors, and teachers. They provide everything possible to make the leap less terrifying but the fact of the matter is, it is still a jump into uncharted territory. While the jump may be daunting, the rewards of a safe landing make it all worth it. A successful flight represents the freedom and independence found outside of the comforts of the childhood home. College is the first major opportunity that students have to truly spread their wings. With the wind of change and hope of dreams at their backs, they can soar to new heights and have nothing that prevents them from pursuing the wildest of possibilities.
I am so incredibly thankful for the many avenues that will be available to me through college when I take my leap. College provides the perfect building block for a life of success and joy. When I look back at my college years, I will forever be grateful for the independence found in college. Truly spreading your wings, being able to make your own decisions, and steering your life in the direction you want it to go is something every student should experience. College may provide an education but more importantly, it provides a first taste of the real world and opens eyes to the opportunities found outside of the nest.
The varying degrees I pursue, the way I live, the trips I take, and the friends I make are all totally up to me for the first time. Looking back, I won’t remember the degree I obtained nearly as much as the life choices I got to make, the experiences and choices that turned into memories, and true thrill that comes with being independent for the first time. By taking the leap, I will be able to take control of my own life in a way I have yet to experience and I will soar on the wind of possibility and anticipation of my what my future holds as I head to college.