My Academic Goal for the Upcoming Year by Liliana

My Academic Goal for the Upcoming Year by Liliana - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

As I embrace my senior year of high school, my goal is to develop a studying routine that improves my mental health. It is easy to say that studying for a class takes a simple mindset shift, but I believe that is far more than that. The current generation of students need more than a quiet room and no distractions from phones.

Today, students have shorter attention spans. Studying can feel like a chore, and this causes many students to delay studying until the last minute. I do not want to be one of them, especially as I look forward to college next year. So, how do you make it not feel like a chore? I want to incorporate sprints into my study plan to maximize efficiency and decrease stress. Sprints can last 20 or 30 minutes each with five-minute breaks in between. This will allow me to focus without distractions for short time frames and take breaks to recharge, step outside, check my phone, or listen to music. Importantly, I will take detailed notes during and organize them so I can reference them later.

In the last few years, my emotions and many pressures got in the way of succeeding in school. I was not focused on having high grades, and I was performing at an average level. During my junior year, I learned a lot about myself and spent more time focusing on classes I struggled with, like Physics. I had a private tutor each weekend who helped me understand the subject, and I never felt embarrassed to ask questions, which normally I would feel in class. I left behind my old mindset of just passing school to use my junior and senior years to propel me into a successful college career. The fact is, I want to help the planet and people in it, and I cannot do that without challenging myself and wanting more for myself.

In conclusion, I will use a study plan that improves my mental health by making small changes to my time management. I will ask for help, utilize tutors, and attend teacher-led tutorials after school when needed. These changes will make me a better student and help me succeed.