A Process of Passion and Change by Mackenzie
Mackenzieof Scotts Valley's entry into Varsity Tutor's January 2016 scholarship contest
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A Process of Passion and Change by Mackenzie - January 2016 Scholarship Essay
Reflecting on the weaknesses and strengths of the past year and attempting to create a New Year’s solution can often be a daunting task of self-reflection, but I’ve become adamant on gladly embracing the areas in need of improvement, so that I can keep one-upping myself in the future.
For so long, I’ve been struggling in an academic race against others - constantly feeling like I’m in a battle to be at the top, or prove something of myself to someone (whether it be parents, teachers, or even fellow peers). As the end of high school started to move into sight, and the pressure bar only grew higher and higher, I realized that they last of the stressors that I could induce on myself should be competition with others, when in actuality I should be competing to better myself from the year, month, or even week prior.
In education, it’s easy to feel stupid when handed a disappointing grade for something you exerted all your energy towards, or not comprehending the same material that once was a breeze to you, and often we let these insecurities and false senses decrease our desire to learn, for fear of being exposed for something we’re not. In actuality - every mistake, every wrong answer or bad grade, is simply leading you on a constant path of improvement that is essential and never-ending throughout the educational process. You never stop learning in school or life, and therefore it’s given that we must not know or perfect everything, because there’s always new knowledge to gain, new perspectives to be seen, and old ways to be changed.
My New Years resolution is to accept criticism and change with open arms. We often fall into a cut-and-copy mold during school: pushed into the same pattern, same structure for everything, fearful that we will amount to nothing if we don’t fit snuggly in the mold. I, however, want to turn what once was a weakness into my greatest strength, and find inventive ways to approach dull situations.
School can easily grow dull and boring, dimming down the creativity that was once thriving as a child, but only if you let it. Along with my resolution of being open to criticism as an essential component of making change, I’d also like to be able mindful of restoring the energy and passion that was buzzing throughout elementary schools in my every day life. Learning was once so exciting and enticing, and I believe it should never cease to be anything but.