Personal Experience by Liam

Personal Experience by Liam - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

It's a cold October Morning, after a long weekend, I sit down at my desk starting my day with Geometry. I remember I had taken a test last Friday and then it all hit. My teacher hands me my test.

36.

I stare down at the Number. Wait, is that an 8? No…No... It's written pretty clearly. It's a 3. That's definitely a 36. I look up at my teacher just to be sure. His eyes communicate the same shock I am feeling. And maybe some disappointment. I feel like I can't breathe. I feel like I am frozen.

That 36 was a real eye-opener for me. I always saw myself as a smart kid - school came naturally to me and I never had to put lots of extra effort in. When I got that grade though, it challenged my identity. While I was tempted to just explain the score away - it was the first test I had taken on computer and I didn't understand the angles and pictures being shown - I had to come to terms with the reality I was faced with. I was having a hard time understanding the material and my grade made it clear that my regular approach wasn’t working. I had to make a change.

Throughout the next few months, I shifted priorities. I revisited my study habits, using aids like Quizlet and seeking additional help. Whereas I used to just rely on myself, I began working with a tutor to do homework I was having trouble with, review notes, and solve extra credit problems that were meant to be challenging. I started making better use of my time. Rather than getting an extra hour of sleep in the morning, I started waking up at 5:30 to tackle my math homework and, in the evening, I cut down on social media and watching TV to study with my dad. Each week I saw small improvement and, by February I was not only understanding the material but performing better on my tests and getting my highest grades yet.

This experience taught me how to deal with adversity. It made me realize that everything is not going to go my way and that there will always be setbacks, but that is not the end. I have to see challenges as opportunities to learn and better myself. Success is not always immediate and sometimes I have to go the extra mile to get the result I want like spending extra hours practicing lacrosse in my backyard or utilizing Math Lunch.

It also taught me how to develop better habits. Improving my time management has helped me balance all of my commitments- I am never late for practice, I turn in my assignments on time, and I am able to put my best effort into everything. Feeling more on top of things reduces my stress and makes me feel more prepared for the day ahead.

Most importantly, it taught me the importance of having a strong support system. I've realized that it is okay to step out of my comfort zone and that asking for help isn't necessarily a bad thing. I continue to seek support from my teachers and even meet with my counselor regularly to make sure I'm on the right path. Utilizing the resources available to me and leaning on other people for help reminds me there is a whole community of people behind me and inspires me to offer support to others as well. After a long football or lacrosse practice, I stay late to help the underclassmen during lift and answer any questions they might have. I also take initiative in school by putting myself out there in the classroom and setting a good example for other students.

I’ve come so far since getting that 36, but I wouldn't be the person I am today without it.

Through this experience, I have decided that I want to pursue data sciences to make sure I cannot ever score as low as I did that day. I feel the Major has similar resources and experiences to the process I went through to prove myself as a student.