How I Became Me by Lauren

How I Became Me by Lauren - December 2014 Scholarship Essay

When I was in the 6th grade my class was told to envision what we wanted to be when we were older. Some of my peers responded with “firefighter”, “doctor”, and some even said “nothing.” I was one of the students who said “I don't know.” Of course I never said this out-loud; I usually said “lawyer.” I had no idea what I wanted to become, I had trouble deciding what to have for breakfast some days. The question was too vast and I had no idea what classes to take the next year. The variety of classes and extra curricular activities seemed endless and I had no idea where I fit. When it came to my work ethic, it was poor. I never received the grade that put a smile on a parents' face. I didn't seem to understand the importance of working hard and having it pay off in the long run.

By the time I entered the 9th grade, I had even more opportunities than what was available in middle school. This created an even bigger headache for me. I was still trying to find myself in my education. Which classes were supposed to help me in my college-career? What did I even want to major in in college? What college did I want to attend? Will I even make it into college? I had so many questions about who and what I wanted to become made choosing my classes for 9th grade almost unbearable.

It was all about trial-and-error. I decided to take an Honors Biology course during freshman year and found I absolutely loved it. As for Sociology my junior year, we grew to tolerate one another. My science teacher had told me that in life, we won't always understand everything that is placed in front of us. Sometimes we just have to fight through. So, I never quit. I never dropped Sociology to be in another available class. I kept going, because as the days progressed and weeks flew by, I learned in school that giving up should never be choice.

Today, I am known as a “geek” and “smarty-pants” amongst my group of friends. I have become more engaged in school, working harder than ever to maintain my four-year 4.0 GPA. I have also lent-a-hand to those who have the same struggles as I did when I was younger. The education I have obtained has helped shaped me into the smart, helpful individual I have become today. I never ignore an opportunity to make the community a better place. My education has given me a vision as to what I want to be when I get out of high school. I no longer feel the nervousness of not knowing what I am to do next. I feel now I have a game plan, thanks to my well-rounded education. I am prepped for the future. I have learned that we are the clay and education is the hands that form us into what we will become. We choose how much knowledge we want, and from that we are formed into ourselves.