The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic by Patrick

The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic by Patrick - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

If I could give only one piece of advice to younger students, it would be to develop a strong work ethic as early as possible. Doing things you may not want to do tends to be a sizable part of life. While there is a chance this is true for you already, many younger students are able to enjoy a life without much responsibility. However, as you go through high school and college, it will become more and more difficult to find time to do the things you love.
Many students cut out certain parts of their life to make room for ones they value more; while that isn’t always a bad idea, sometimes it is unnecessary. It is surprising how much time can be saved if you can learn to stop procrastination. Don’t get me wrong; taking breaks is an important way to keep your brain working at maximum capacity. However, taking overly long breaks from something important can frequently be more stressful than helpful. It makes the task at hand seem bigger and bigger than if you were to finish it quickly. If you finish something earlier, it saves time and energy, which can be used for the things you love.
I personally have had issues with procrastination and a weak work ethic. Growing up I had few chores, and was also good at schoolwork, often finishing before the other kids. This left me with a lot of free time, which I became accustomed to. Undoing this habit has taken a lot of work, but it was worth the time. What is interesting, however, is that I still feel like I have more than enough time, despite taking AP classes and completing all of my work. While procrastination takes up time, it does not feel like “free” time. When I got rid of it, I felt noticeably happier, and was more productive. I finally felt in control of my life, and I strongly recommend control, over disarray.