Just in Time by Presley

Just in Time by Presley - January 2022 Scholarship Essay

2021 proposed many different challenges that provided opportunities for reflection and growth. I experienced virtual schooling and was faced with a need for time management if I wanted success. Waking up minutes before class and joining zoom calls for a couple of hours a day could not offer the same motivation as an early-morning physically-present school day contributes. My unmotivated outlook led to my procrastinatory experience of a sophomore year. I had faced a lack of inspiration and fell into a hole of emptiness without my school life pressuring me into success. Toward the end of my sophomore year, I recognized the issues in my studying methods and my absence of enthusiasm toward finishing work in deadlines. I needed to fix my mistakes before demolishing my grades and, in turn, any chances I had at success.

Once junior year approached, I was plastered with a full 8-hour school day on top of additional homework following my year of essentially nothing. I needed to change my methods to prosper in my increasingly difficult class schedule. I became highly aware of my time management and planned out both studying and homework to better prepare myself for each class and its rigor. With my newfound time distribution, I was able to achieve high grades and score exceptionally on tests. Time management is a highly desired skill, as it helps to prioritize different classes and assignments to ensure they are completed by deadlines with adequate effort. It became essential that I strengthen that ability because, without it, I wouldn’t have the educational achievement I have worked to achieve.

In 2021, I had to plan to take the ACT, which required immense studying. To make the time to study in conjunction with school work, I decided to go to school on Saturdays and take ACT practice tests with my college preparation teacher. I could have easily chosen not to get up in the morning, but my time would be most valuable if I spent it studying and practicing the test. Once I took the ACT, my practice was proven necessary as my score reflected the time I spent refining my abilities.

Alongside my academic requirements, I also had to find time to make up lost volunteer hours from sophomore year, as coronavirus hindered my ability to do so safely. If I wanted to achieve my silver cord at graduation, I needed to seek out time for volunteering and find varying places to do so. In late 2021, I managed volunteering, schooling, and outside activities. Without my recently advanced ability to control my schedule, I would not have been capable of following through with my goals effectively. My potential to gain limitless accomplishments became possible through my newfound time management and prioritization.