Good Lessons Don’t Always Come from Good Experiences by Pavel

Good Lessons Don’t Always Come from Good Experiences by Pavel - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

Usually we learn from our teachers through their support and encouragement to achieve academic success. However, this is not always the case. I studied in Russia until 10th grade. The culture and the educational system in Russia are completely different than in the United States. In the 8th grade I was required to take a nation-wide mathematics exam. However, my mathematics teacher was very skeptical about my mathematical ability. She said that I know nothing, and that I cannot do math. I believed her, and I was scared of the exam. Thus I studied really hard to pass it. Unexpectedly for everybody, I received one of the five highest scores in the city. My teacher changed her mind about my mathematical ability. It was only then that I realized that I am very good at mathematics and science, and I became a motivated and diligent student. I felt like I had discovered my potential and began to work hard to make sure it was not wasted.
I came to the United States in 2011, and entered 11th grade at Fair Lawn High School. Eventually, I started to be inspired by the math itself. Even though I was an ESL student, I took the final exam for Precalculus Honors class instead of taking a regular final exam, and tested into Calculus BC. After graduating from high school, I enrolled at Bergen Community College as a mathematics major. I became an active member of the STEM Club and Honors Association, and I served as a Treasurer of the Mathematics Club and a Director of Leadership of Phi Theta Kappa. I became successful. Nonetheless, the difficulties I encountered were challenging.
My first semester at Bergen Community College was a challenge in part due to financial difficulties, and I had to work in two jobs in addition to studying. However, I managed to earn 14 credits including Physics I (calculus based) and Discrete Mathematics (calculus based). I woke up at 4:00 AM every day and studied until 6:00 AM. All the other time I was busy working or attending my classes. During these times I kept in mind that teacher who taught me in Russia; I remembered how I had difficulties in her class, but I still believed in myself. I imagined that I patiently overcame all the challenges presented. Positive thinking did not let me sink in my struggles even though a professional (the teacher) once thought that I am a hopeless student. I earned A’s in all of my classes. In addition, I established and proved a new mathematical theorem, which was published in the "Bergen Scholarly Journal."
At Bergen Community College I tutored Algebra A, Algebra B, Precalculus, Calculus I, II & III, Discrete Mathematics, Physics I, and Basic Logic. I really enjoyed helping other students, and sharing my positive energy with them. Additionally, I have received the Ender Award for Excellence in Mathematics at BCC, OritaniBank Charitable Scholarship, the STEM Merit Award, and Dr. Lubot Award for Excellence in Mathematics at graduation. At the 5th Annual Merit Scholar Luncheon I met the STEM Merit Scholarship donors, and learned more about mathematical research.
Now I am a student studying Pure Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley. I enjoy studying there, and I still really like mathematics. This field of study is important to modern society because it is the foundation of chemistry, physics, psychology, and economics. Mathematics is an Alphabet of the Universe, a book of the great, unlimited knowledge. It is a world of its own that is different but strongly connected to ours.
I am proud of my achievements and most grateful to all the people who have supported me. However, I am also grateful to the teacher who did not believe in my success in mathematics. She let me realize that one might reach own dreams not only by working hard toward the dreams, but also by working hard to avoiding the troubles. Through the experience of being her student I proved myself and others that one should never give up on own dreams; I showed that there is always hope for everybody.