The Quality of In-Person Education by Margaret

The Quality of In-Person Education by Margaret - November 2020 Scholarship Essay

I have always heard the saying, “You never know how much you appreciate something until it's gone.” This year has definitely made me develop a deeper meaning to the lesson behind this phrase and a better appreciation for my education. After spending months doing online school last spring, I realized how much I valued the face-to-face interaction and learning of being in person. The quality of education that takes place in person cannot just be simply replaced with a zoom meeting. However, I appreciate the dedication that faculty members put into giving students the best education that is possible within the circumstances. One of the main aspects of my education that I am thankful for is the teachers. They have the potential to inspire and help students reach their full potential. I am also so grateful for the opportunities to earn college credit, challenge myself, and save money through AP classes and Dual Credit classes. However, I have realized through these challenging times that the part of education that I am most thankful for is the quality of in-person education and the opportunities that it brings.
As a junior in high school last spring, I still felt like I had so much time left in high school. It wasn’t until there was a statewide stay-at-home mandate that I realized that my years in high school were dwindling away. Missing opportunities to go to so many events that would have taken place and learning in a completely different manner made me contemplate what I truly value. After writing a paper in my English class making predictions of what the next school year would look like, it dawned on me that this would be a long journey of uncertainty and frustration. I would soon finish my junior year online and be transitioning into my senior year of high school.
When given the option to choose from virtual or in-person learning in the fall, I had no doubt that going back to school in person was the right choice for me. Although there were still limitations and restrictions being put in place, I was relieved to be back in school again. I knew that at any point we could easily go back to virtual because the COVID pandemic has been so unpredictable. Although, knowing that made me want to make every moment count, which helped me make the beginning of my senior year more enjoyable. When I chose to focus on what we had and not everything that we didn’t have, I was able to appreciate my education so much more.
From being in person for school, I have been able to do labs in AP Chemistry that would be nearly impossible to do or understand at home, and I have been able to do a variety of projects in art. In English, being in school has made it easier to peer edit papers and get feedback from multiple people on my papers. I am also able to collaborate with students when I am in school, which makes it so much easier to ask questions at any time. These are just a few of the factors that have benefited me and made the quality of my education better because I have had the opportunity to attend school in person. I used to take all of these opportunities for granted, but now I can appreciate them so much more. I have learned to be thankful for having the chance to be in person for the beginning of the school year, and it has made me more grateful for my education.