Rekindling by Lugano

Rekindling by Lugano - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

While every academic year should be filled with growth, knowledge, and new experiences, it’s easy to get caught into routine and lose sight of the opportunities that are all around us. Which is why I want to spend my next school year rekindling my appreciation for education.

I’ve been at my university for two years now, working to achieve my dream of becoming an architect. While I can’t say it's the hardest thing in the world, the overwhelming competition between peers caused me to lose excitement for my goals. It felt hopeless to work hard when it seemed I could never measure up to my peers. I began to resent school because it felt like a losing battle. I would often procrastinate on schoolwork and turn assignments in late, which was only making me feel worse. It wasn’t until my final presentation that I realized the effects of my mindset. While my professors and teaching assistants had only been rooting for me and pushing me to do my best, I had been so focused on my peers that I hadn’t realized all the potential my presentation had to be even better. I was so blinded by my resentment that I didn’t see the learning opportunities that were buried within my assignments.

Amongst all this, I heard about an opportunity to study abroad in the city of Barcelona for the upcoming school year. I immediately rushed to sign up and was accepted to the program. Of course, I can’t wait to embark upon this journey to another country with so many brand new experiences awaiting me. However, I also see this as a chance for me to start afresh in my academic journey. With such an exciting opportunity at my fingerprints, it is only right that I appreciate every moment of it as much as I can. I’ve promised myself that I will spend the year remaining dedicated to myself and my schoolwork. This year, I want to listen to my mentors, instead of listening to my peers. Most of all, I want to be invested in this opportunity that I have to chase my dream. The noise from my environment made me lose sight of how valuable education is for my goals. Already, my time in university awarded me with the chance to travel to a new country. I can only imagine what else I will experience if I take advantage of the education and resources I have all around me to make my dream into a certain reality. I can’t wait for the next academic year because it is my chance to start afresh, with a motivation to work hard and be the best possible student that I can be.