Academic Inspiration by Olivia

Academic Inspiration by Olivia - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

While living in the current world where education is the key to success, it is important to be driven and inspired to reach certain academic goals. Whether inspired by a family member, a friend, or even a stranger, having an academic role model is another key to success.

Personally, my academic inspiration comes mainly from my mother. Although she did not go to school for an extremely long time, or obtain a very challenging degree, her dedication is what's most inspiring to me. My mother graduated high school and went to college to become a nurse, however she had a lot going on at the time and was unable to finish with the certification that she wanted. After getting married, having two children, and becoming a single mother, my mother decided to take a leap and go back to school to finish what she started. I remember her taking early morning classes before work, and us being brought to school by our grandparents. I remember helping her study flashcards with medical words and terminology I could barely pronounce. I remember hearing her up all night, studying for her exams. However, she did all of that to obtain her certification, and create a better life for us. She ultimately passed her last test with a score of 99%, which was the highest score her school had seen in history on that exam. She was asked to give a speech to the incoming students after her success, and inspired many of them, as she did me.

She has encouraged me in school to always be my best. Being an early college student it is hard to keep up with my 16 credit hours and many exams. However, she is always there to remind me that if I put my mind to it, I can achieve it. I received my first ever B in seventh grade, it was a big deal for me as I had straight A's my whole life. Instead of getting angry, she told me good job. She told me that I was getting into harder classes, and my grades may alter. She was always there for me throughout these past 12 years, and always will be.

My mother may not be a doctor, lawyer, or make a ton of money, but I find her dedication and story to be most inspiring to me. She received what she wanted ever since she was a little girl, and did it through her hard work. On top of it all while being a single parent and having two young children. It's not just because she's my mother, but seeing it happen with my own eyes makes me want to achieve my goals as did she, and through her I realize that it will never be too soon or too late to do that.