Not Lazy, Just Lost by Makhya

Not Lazy, Just Lost by Makhya - May 2025 Scholarship Essay

Across the country, thousands of kids are asking, “Why should I come to school?” and often they don’t find a good answer. Many are uninspired, overwhelmed, or facing mental health challenges that make school difficult. These are issues that are constantly brought up by school teams, whether it’s the building’s leadership team or the school board. Each struggles through ideas, trying to find a solution, but is limited by time, money, and resources. If I had unlimited time and money, I would transform our schools into places where students feel supported all the way from kindergarten to their senior year, feel inspired to learn, and see school as a place to start their dreams.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in AP US History is the need for change in order to make society better. America has changed significantly, from agricultural practices to civil rights, yet most schools still rely on rigid schedules, standardized testing, and one-size-fits-all teaching. As a member of the school board and a student, I see how this system fails; I see checked-out kids feeling overwhelmed or simply not showing up. It is clear to me, just like in history, our education system needs a reform, one that is centered around students, not just standards.

There are many reasons students don’t want to come to school, and very few have to do with laziness. Many feel invisible. Relationships with teachers and staff are often surface level, reduced to class content and test scores. There is little time for meaningful conversations, and over time, students assume adults don’t have the time or care to know them. Students also struggle to find relevance in what they’re learning. They sit through lesson after lesson that fails to intrigue them or connect to their life. Yet, when a project sparks curiosity, I’ve seen students' faces light up, and they work on it, not because they have to, but because they want to. This is the kind of learning I want to see in schools. This lack of interest ties to another issue: choice. At my school, students choose just two electives and whether or not to take AP classes. In core subjects, we often have no say in what we learn, how we learn it, or how we show understanding. Without agency, students are detached from school. Another issue that students face is their own mental health. For many, school is a place of stress rather than support. Often schools lack the resources and knowledge to address these problems. All of these issues compound; when students feel unseen, uninspired, and unsupported, school becomes a burden, not a place of growth.

To make schools places where students thrive, we need to redesign schools to reflect what students need: connection, purpose, support, and agency. That starts with building relationships. Each student should be part of a small group, led by one adult who regularly checks in with them, providing both support and connection for students. Teachers should not just be trained to teach content but also taught how to recognize students who are struggling and how to support them. We also need to rethink how students learn. A flexible pathway that allows students to grow in all areas and at their own pace allows students to explore their skills and interests. When students shape their learning, engagement naturally follows. As technology evolves, it can be used to create more personalized learning. Students shouldn't be forced to learn at the same pace. With adaptive tools like AI, students can get a personalized learning structure and feedback. This also helps teachers manage classes with diverse needs more effectively. Mental health must be a part of education. In order to have students who are ready to learn, they need to be healthy. This means having multiple full-time counselors, dedicated wellness spaces, and support groups. No student can thrive academically if they’re overwhelmed emotionally. Mental health can not be an afterthought; it needs to be woven into daily life at school.

Across the country thousands of kids are asking themselves the same question, “Why should I come to school?” Often they don’t find a good answer, and that should concern us. But it should also motivate us. If I had unlimited time and money, I wouldn’t use it to make schools harder or more competitive. I’d use it to make schools human. I’d use it to help schools evolve into a place where students feel seen, supported, and inspired.