The Unknown Future: Academic Focus and Goals by Olivia

The Unknown Future: Academic Focus and Goals by Olivia - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

Motivation in high school, especially as a graduating senior, is very challenging to overcome. As everyone knows, teens, such as myself, are very prone to using the term "senioritis." This is where a high school senior is completely burnt out, worn down, and might even consider failing classes and skipping school. The reason for this is that they were accepted into the colleges/universities of their choice and/or have their future plans ready. Although I use this term jokingly with my friends, I do not completely fit the stereotype. I am not someone who has ever skipped school or considered failing classes. I am, however, very tired and exhausted. Being a senior is so difficult, especially for me when I am so heavily motivated on my own to keep my grades and attendance rates up (unlike other classmates of mine). There is honestly so much going on by the end of senior year; from regular exams, AP College Board Exams, graduation requirements, obligations, and school events like banquets and prom. All of these things lead a senior to have “senioritis,” and these are only a few of the mentally exhausting events that seniors experience. Although school events like prom are meant to be fun and relaxing, pre-planning and sometimes attending can be a bit much and anxiety provoking. Even simply going to school daily can be very draining and a bit overwhelming for me as I have so many high expectations for myself. Despite all of these senior struggles, something that has motivated me through my senior year, and cures my “senioritis,” is my unknown future.

Yes, this might sound a bit cheesy, but I love to think about my future, in terms of my education, career, and lifestyle. I have so many goals for the future that I am so excited to make come true in some capacity. For example, at this moment in time, I would like to double major in Creative Writing and Publishing and Editing. This on its own, opens a huge door of opportunities for a future occupation. One of these occupations I hope to acquire includes working independently, where I can write, edit, and publish my own books. Eventually, when I have a stable income, I also would love to become a loving mother one day to both dogs and children. This in itself can be considered a career path, but I want to do so much more. I want to thrive in so many aspects of my life including my occupation, motherly path, and more. Simply thinking about this big picture of my future job, family, and all of the other dreams I have had since I was a little girl, strengthens my attention to my academic goals.

Staying focused for me means that I have to think about the long-term goals, the bigger picture. I tend to worry about the “now,” too much and the short-term things. For example, applying for this scholarship is short-term as well as the potential rewards of it. Yet the experiences that come after this stressful process, of applying to various scholarships, make me stay focused on my academic path and motivated to keep going. I am very overwhelmed in the present as I have been writing this scholarship application, yet I am determined to consider my future and life as a whole before giving up and backing down from this stressful experience.

Thank you for considering my application.