Measure Your Own Success by Mikala

Measure Your Own Success by Mikala - May 2014 Scholarship Essay

As I make the transition from high school to college, my teachers and counselors often advise me on the responsibilities of furthering my education. Most of the time, I hear a lot of the obvious, like, “Studying must be a priority,” and “Make wise decisions,” but this kind of advice doesn’t paint the bigger picture. During my senior year, one of my most admirable teachers, Mr. Ratliff, informed me on the realities of going to college; he gave me the best piece of educational advice that I have ever received. He told me to hold myself to my own level of success, and not to that of society, meaning that my own personal accomplishments will be more satisfying than trying to accomplish what society considers successful. While I contemplated these words of wisdom, I came to the conclusion that becoming a doctor or a lawyer isn’t what it takes to be successful—at the end of the day, success is measured by whether or not I am happy to do my job and to be the person that I am. It is almost impossible to put into words how much Mr. Ratliff’s advice has helped me by changing my outlook on the future of my prosperity.

I had started my senior year determined to get into one of the most prestigious universities in the country, The University of Virginia, to get a degree that would result in earning a lot of money in the future. I considered a high income to be “successful,” but Mr. Ratliff’s advice forced me to ask myself the question, “Will I really be successful if I am not happy?” This question was not easily answered at first, but after a lot of thought, I became certain of my answer—doing something that I am passionate about trumps any amount of money that I could earn.

The advice that I received from Mr. Ratliff redirected my thought process in an extremely positive way. I decided to focus my education on what I am most passionate about because doing something I love and being someone that I, myself, would admire is more satisfying than being someone that the rest of the world would approve of. I learned that I will prosper more by being myself rather than being who I’m expected to be, which is the greatest concept that anyone can be taught.