Confidence Is The Key To Success by Mykalyn

Confidence Is The Key To Success by Mykalyn - September 2022 Scholarship Essay

As my senior year kicks off, I have taken the chance to reflect on the choices that I have made over the course of my high school career. While I can look back at some decisions I have made with appreciation and gratitude, I cannot help but grimace at many other choices I have made in the past, especially those relating to my academic curriculum. I cannot help but wonder; would I have been more satisfied if I had chosen this course? Especially because it relates to the career that I am interested in, computer science. And so, if I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to become an MST student, which stands for mathematics, science, and technology.

It was the middle of the eighth grade, and my school held a small presentation in the cafeteria about the district’s MST and IB programs. Though I considered applying at first, my faith waivered as the counselors went over the requirements. It was particularly the math requirement that caused me to feel apprehensive about applying. To apply, it was expected of the prospective students to complete algebra 1 prior to their freshmen year of high school. While I was enrolled in the class at the time, I did not feel as though I was proficient enough to pass the qualification exam to become a student. And so, I ended up not applying and gave it no second thought. That was, until the results of my friends and peers arrived in the spring. At first, I was jealous that my friends would attend a program that consisted of higher-level learning. However, I only considered it to be a passing feeling that would dissolve once high school started.

As I traversed through my first year of high school, I began to realize how sorely mistaken I was to pass up such an excellent opportunity. I had decided on taking AP Computer Science Principles with a friend of mine to see if it were something I would take interest in. At first, I was nervous, seeing as though it was my first year of taking AP courses. Despite whatever anxiety I may have had about the class, I absolutely fell in love with the content after the first few weeks. From learning how to draw images things using JavaScript, to creating games on code.org, I savored every moment of that class. It was then that I decided, this is what I want I want to do with my life. While I came to the conclusion of wanting my career to revolve around computer science, I began to perceive how critical it was for me to have passed up a program that centers around some of the components needed for my career. I attempted to get placed in the program, but I failed to meet the condition of being enrolled for four consecutive years beginning in the fall of my freshmen year. I was absolutely devastated, but I only had my self to blame for not having enough confidence in myself.

From then on, I made it a point to enroll in whatever computer science classes my school had to offer. From AP Computer Science A to cybersecurity, I verified that my schedule each year would contain at least one class relating to computer science. I have even applied to take a class at my local community college through dual enrollment. While I am satisfied with the classes that are offered to me at my school, I cannot help but feel distressed whenever I think about how I could have progressed my education much further as an MST student. Therefore, one thing I will always regret is not taking the opportunity for me to gain extensive knowledge for my future career for granted. If I were to meet my past self and give her some advice, it would be to have more confidence in my self and become an MST student.