Learning Outside of the Classroom by Madison

Learning Outside of the Classroom by Madison - May 2015 Scholarship Essay

Academic success is vital in life because people use it to judge your work ethic, intelligence, and determination. However, throughout my high school years a great deal of my learning came from my peers. School is a good starting place, but it doesn't necessarily teach you everything you need to know about life. Funnily enough, a lot of that information can come from surprising places—like your friends.

One skill that has helped me through school is the ability to be both charismatic and be able to take criticism well. My eighth grade year I was painfully shy. My favorite activity was reading, and I preferred my books to people. However, then going into high school, I got involved in a community service organization for young women in my hometown; the change in my scenery was immediate!

All around me were suddenly girls with the same interests, classes, and activities as me; soon, I had several close friends. These amazing young women really pulled me out of my comfort zone and into places I had never imagined. The community service hours taught me compassion and determination, and gave me a strong desire to help others. Plus, a part of being a Helena Belle is wearing a huge antebellum dress, and when people see the attire they definitely get curious! Suddenly I didn’t shrink away from strangers when they talked to me; I learned how to speak in public, making eye contact and being comfortable around all kinds of people, even when I stood out in the crowd. Another thing my close friends gave me was guidance; they helped me ground myself as a person. I learned to carefully navigate my emotions, and try my best to never let them get the best of me. It helps in life to have a thicker skin, which comes from assurance in oneself; for me, this definitely came from my friends.

Both of these skills have helped me in different facets of academics; from my dealings with teachers to the way I handle stress and difficult situations.
Knowledge can come from all sorts of places, and surprisingly enough, some of the best gems won’t come from school. A few of my key traits came from my friends, and as I prepare to graduate high school, I am all the more thankful for everything they have done to help me.