When Less is More by Morgan

When Less is More by Morgan - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

When people imagine a good student, they usually think of a person who spends many long hours studying and who does not have time for a social life. Although this may sometimes be the case, it does not have to be. I have found that when you study matters much more than how much you study.

Throughout grade school I was never the best student and I would frequently ask my parents for help on my homework. Concepts never simply ‘clicked’ for me; I had to work hard to understand them. But then when I entered high school, my study habits changed. My days got busier and I began studying at the end of my day, right before I went to sleep. But studying at this time was not detrimental to my grades. On the contrary, I found myself grasping concepts more quickly while studying less. I was surprised because it seemed counter-intuitive that studying when you’re tired would be more productive. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. When you study right before bed, your mind continues to work on the materials as you sleep. Then in the morning when you review the material again, it just falls into place.

Since I began using this method, I have stopped needing to ask for homework help and I spend a lot less time studying. I have also been able maintain a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and am on track to be a valedictorian. I can honestly say that I don’t think I would be on the path that I am if it were not for my discovery of the ideal study time.