Junior Year in a Global Pandemic by Molly

Junior Year in a Global Pandemic by Molly - September 2020 Scholarship Essay

As a junior in high school, I decided to load up on AP classes and extracurriculars to make myself seem like a great applicant to colleges, and to give myself a challenge. Pulling this off with consistent grades and continual involvement in everything I have taken on is hard enough, but is an even more straining feat amidst a pandemic. Little connection with teachers, learning all new content online, and planning events from my bedroom can make for a difficult year, one which I hope to overcome. My biggest goal for this school year is to succeed even if it seems impossible.

Usually at this time of year our student government would be planning Homecoming, a week with sports and excitement. Instead, we plan socially distant lunches outside of the school. Auditions would be this week for our fall show, but instead we do not have a show. We would be learning how to write important papers, and have our first games of the season. Instead, we stare at screens all day and try to maintain contact with a few close friends.

Being a social learner, it is difficult for me not having a teacher to talk through a lesson, or be passed out worksheets to turn in. It is harder for me to learn without working with my peers. Doing this all alone is a completely different experience for me, one that may be harder for me than others. Some people prefer independent learning, and have adapted well to this new system. I miss having my teachers and friends around me, and walking up two flights of stairs to get from one class to another, but this year I have to find a way to succeed.

Since we had more planning for this year, things are back to a new normal. Deadlines have become strict, assignments are brand new, and teachers are less lenient. It is important to me, even with a heavy class load that I rise to the occasion. Last year, I did not take home learning seriously, and struggled to do my work, knowing it was just a ‘temporary setback’, and all would be back to normal by the fall. As a result of this, my grades slipped, my test scores plummeted, and I had no desire to learn. This year I hope to correct it.

This year, I am working on meeting deadlines at a small desk in the corner of my room. I want to take pride in my grades and strive to be my best again. This year I strive to become a better version of myself, with more initiative and concentration. I hope to stay avidly involved in my extracurricular activities, and not be afraid to reach out to teachers when a video just does not teach me what I need to know. I will focus on my academics again, and treat it like a regular school year. I will learn as much as I can and raise my test scores back to where they should be.

My biggest goal for this school year is to succeed even when it seems impossible. I want to take my learning back into my hands this year. I will try my hardest to better my character, and help those around me. Even though this year may not be a ‘regular’ year, it is important to adapt, and take advantage of resources that are still available to me. I will turn the odds in my favor, and I will make the most of the circumstances I have been presented with.