Do Not Stress a Standardized Test by Kylie

Do Not Stress a Standardized Test by Kylie - July 2023 Scholarship Essay

Junior year, a high school student’s worst nightmare. On the brink of senioritis, yet so much to do. I was warned before my first day, but I ignored them. I was focused on seeing my friends and getting good grades. Little did I know this would be my biggest mistake.
Every student stresses taking the ACT. Receiving a good score determines your future success in getting into a good college. Being caught up with schoolwork, I didn’t prepare for taking the ACT properly. I began my studying three weeks before the test date. My school didn’t educate me about the ACT until my junior year. I didn’t realize the importance the ACT created in determining my future until it was too late. The next thing I knew, I received my score, with a big whopping seventeen on the screen.
Feeling bewildered was an understatement. Overwhelmed, disappointed, and confused consumed me. I felt as if my life was over. I was never going to college, never accomplishing my dreams. I let my terrible ACT score define my academic capabilities. There wasn’t a year that went by that I wasn’t on the honor roll or high honor roll. I take getting good grades very seriously. Anything below a C meant my life was over, and here I am with a seventeen on the ACT.
After retaking the ACT, I still received a poor score. It wasn’t until my parents calmed me down that I realized my life wasn’t over. Doing poorly on the ACT motivated me to do well throughout my senior year, taking advanced placement courses and passing them. As a student, I learned that failure can lead to success. Although doing poorly on the ACT, I managed to get accepted to all nine colleges I applied to. Two of them are my dream schools, Eastern Michigan University and the University of Cincinnati.
As my first year of college is fast approaching, I told myself I would never feel less of a person for failing. The most significant component of advice to juniors taking the ACT is to study but not stress over the results. Receiving a score may be bewildering, but failing allows you to learn from your mistake and doesn’t equate to your academic capabilities. I realized as long as I’m dedicated, disciplined, and work hard I can be successful.