Surviving and Growing During a Pandemic by Madison
Madison's entry into Varsity Tutor's January 2022 scholarship contest
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Surviving and Growing During a Pandemic by Madison - January 2022 Scholarship Essay
On March 13, 2020 my life was thrown into disarray when I learned my school district was mandating a two-week closure. I distinctly remember the moment I found out; I was playing basketball when I heard cheers emanating from the locker room. At first, an extension of Spring Break was thrilling. However, two weeks quickly became indefinite and COVID appeared to be an insurmountable challenge to school ever re-opening. My sophomore year had already started unconventionally, with a cyber-attack leaving us with no use of technology. To know me is to know I enjoy school; I am a student. School is a happy place for me, a place in which I simultaneously learn and interact with friends.
Becoming a virtual learner was jarring on all levels. Online learning thrust me into a reality that no student had ever experienced before. There was no playbook for how to survive, let alone achieve success and thrive. I became unmotivated and my school work stopped being a priority. I missed homework assignments and began to gloss over work entirely. I started to possess no work ethic nor time management skills as at home there were so many distractions. Luckily I was able to manage as tests were open notes and teachers seemed to be just as distracted as the students.
Once junior year began and I was still learning virtually I came to the realization that I needed to to develop ways to stay focused and cope during this difficult time. I knew this year would be more difficult with the combination of studying for the ACT in addition to a more rigorous class load. I needed to put my attention back onto my schoolwork and find ways to limit the distractions. I worked diligently and found a way in which to effectively study. I kept organized with a planner to keep track of when I had assignments and tests and when to study for the ACT. I created a quiet, work space with a desk and office supplies in the back room of my house instead of working in my bedroom. In addition, I took advantage of office hours to meet with teachers. I have learned that utilizing office hours and asking for guidance from teachers really makes a difference in not just your grades but what I learned and got out of the class. Plus, I got to know my teachers better during a time when we were not in person. I also knew that to be successful I had to have an outlet during this time. I made sure I went to play basketball in my driveway for at least an hour every day, working on my skills but also seeking out a sense of normalcy.
Once my school pivoted back to in person learning I was better equipped to handle the rigor of my classes. I continue to keep organized with a planner, utilize office hours to gain assistance from my teachers and I still play basketball as an outlet and distraction from the stress of life. Every day, I make the conscious decision to not let the pandemic, which still exists, define me and instead I use it as a time to improve myself and better my future.