A Personal Takeaway by Oliver

A Personal Takeaway by Oliver - August 2023 Scholarship Essay

I think of a challenge as something that physically or mentally limits your ability to achieve a goal. Last year, I had to balance the marching band season and junior year's schoolwork at the same time. But, in the end, I was able to develop consistent study habits and grow new relationships along the way.

My junior year at Plano Senior High School was difficult and unique. I enrolled in Physics, Precalculus, and two other AP classes all at once. I had never experienced the immense workload that came with these classes and I found myself stressed and anxious all the time. With marching band rehearsals every day after school in the fall, I had two fewer hours to accomplish my schoolwork. The shock at first led me to feelings of hopelessness and discouragement, but I found ways to cope. I became more comfortable managing the time that I did have and I was able to pick up some strategies that would help me for the rest of the year. For example, since I wake up earlier than most, I decided to read my history textbook and take notes on it at 7:30, before I even went to school in the morning. Another way I would get through my schoolwork was to do a small portion of it when I got home, take a small break, and then do that repeatedly so that my brain never reached that feeling of being exhausted or worn out. I was encouraged that in the second semester, after I had started using these tactics, my grades were higher than they were during the first one. This realization gave me the confidence to push through the year to feel accomplished running into the summer break.

One of the most crucial steps in feeling comfortable in a new environment is finding people that you can connect with. I had a small group of friends coming into Plano Senior High School who were all involved in the band like I was. I would talk to them and learn from them as we all figured out together how to balance everything at this new level. Because of these people, I found ways to enjoy my time during marching rehearsals and to meet new people as well. My most exhausting class of the year was American Studies, which combined an English AP and a History AP class. I did not know most of that class when it started, but by the end of the year, I had a new circle to be with and reliable classmates that would be willing to help me when needed. I felt loved and appreciated when working with my peers because I knew they would understand what I was going through. They would also always be there to support and grow me as a person during my difficult circumstances. For example, at one point during the fall, we were tasked with multiple projects and readings in American Studies, our daily Precalculus homework, and Physics homework all at once. This was on top of all of my marching band responsibilities. Our group banded together and got through it, and I can now look back and be thankful that I had them. Times were hard but with continuous effort and determination, you can always rely on people around you while still bringing your best.
Looking back, I am still in awe of the person and student I grew into. I can now communicate clearly with people and I have developed study habits that give me confidence approaching my senior year. A personal takeaway from the last year is that community and perseverance are a recipe for success.