A Day of Achievement by Lauren

A Day of Achievement by Lauren - March 2014 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my educational development I have encountered various experiences in the classroom, in the music recital hall, and on the athletic field that have greatly enhanced my academic achievements. But, if I had to select my greatest academic achievement it would be the day I graduated from Princeton University.

Graduating from Princeton was a great experience not just because of the school’s academic ranking, but because of the many challenges that I faced during my time there. As with most students, transitioning to college life came as a culture shock. Although my high school education prepared me for college, I quickly realized that I would have to take my academic commitment and determination to a whole new level in order to succeed in my undergraduate career.

Unfortunately, adjusting to the rigorous academic demands caused my self-esteem and sense of self value to take a beating. The tough competitive nature of the Princeton curriculum and continuous academic struggles caused me to become a more timid student, often afraid to speak up in class and take initiatives beyond the teacher's instructions. My schedule became even more demanding and stressful as the track and field seasons came into full swing. For four years, I competed in Princeton’s track and field program which required countless hours of training and competitions. Although I never outwardly voiced this opinion, there was always a thought in the back of my mind that wondered if I would have fewer academic struggles if I hung up my track shoes and concentrated solely on my school work. But, I loved running track and field and still do. For me, to give up this sport was inconceivable. Not only was it a passion, but also a form of relaxation, which I was thankful for everyday. So, I kept plugging away at both disciplines, determined to excel to the best of my abilities on the track and in the classroom.

Despite my struggles, I kept my eyes on the prize, and my diligence finally paid off on graduation day, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This moment of accomplishment was a compilation of all my academic efforts. I was proud to have achieved a goal that seemed like a faint light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. Most importantly, I proved to myself that I was cable of academic success, even while being a student athlete.

Receiving my Bachelor's degree has given me confidence to pursue higher educational aspirations. This year I applied and was accepted into several graduate programs, where I hope to earn a Master's degree in Public Health and Epidemiology. After completing my education, I hope to focus my research on the occurrence of cancer disparities in African American populations.

Obtaining academic achievement at Princeton University was not easy, but experiencing this accomplishment has taught me that I can achieve anything with focus, determination and perseverance.