Conquering Change by Phoebe

Conquering Change by Phoebe - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

March 2020: the day the world shut down. It was the day everyone’s world changed. My life suddenly shrunk to fit the 200 square feet of my room and the digital range of my laptop. At first, it seemed fleeting–almost an exciting change to my mundane life, something you could only imagine in movies–until it was no longer temporary. The trend continued into 2021, as the nation adopted virtual learning to curb the transmission of the virus. Students and teachers around the world had to adapt and find new ways to combat the flaws of digital education. Now stepping foot into yet another year, I realize that I've acquired several skills while living in quarantine. These qualities can be roughly summed up in one word: responsibility.

In the transition online, many of my classes had to be self-studied. While I understand the hardships of my teachers, the quality of online learning simply could not compare to real life. There was just not enough time to cover the typical, full curriculum during school hours, especially considering the limitations of technology. Lectures themselves were hard to absorb with the tempting distractions of the internet and omnipresent wifi problems. Thus, my only choice was to take responsibility for my own education.

I often purchased textbooks and consistently sought outside resources to supplement what I learned in class. After I realized that I had to become more self-reliant in pursuing my studies, I took advantage of every opportunity to absorb as much information as possible. Studying Barron’s Prep Books or listening to Crash Course and Bozeman Science lectures became part of my daily schedule. Even my Spotify playlists became consumed by Chinese podcasts or artists. Washing the dishes? Time to listen to Mr. Anderson’s lovely voice. Folding the laundry? Now it’s time for the Green brothers! I’m definitely not perfect– I often rebelled against this “extra” studying I created for myself. Ultimately, I rationalized with myself and maintained a good balance between leisure and studying time in my schedule.

Deciding to take responsibility for my education also instigated much change in how I performed in the classroom. In addition to my time outside of school, I also tried to be more involved in my classes during school hours to take advantage of all the time I had. While I used to be timid and hesitant in sharing answers, I forced myself to participate in discussions and lead the conversation in break-out rooms. After all, my time with my teacher and my groups were very limited as we couldn’t see each other in person. I began to understand that it was essential for me to put more effort into my studies and be more active. As I started to ask questions and offer ideas, I broadened my academic knowledge and built self-confidence. My increased participation improved my relationships with my teachers and peers; I generally felt more comfortable and happy in my classes. I remained academically strong throughout the year– a feat that I completely credit to my changed attitude toward learning.

2021 was a turning point in my academic career. Instead of always passively listening to others, I became someone who actively participated in discussions. I developed the self-discipline to read books and videos outside of school in order to better my understanding of certain concepts. Becoming more responsible helped me focus my attention, hone my time management skills, build confidence and tackle the course straight on. Without this change, I wouldn't have made it through the year. At least, not with As in every class.