Life-Long Learning by Rebecca

Life-Long Learning by Rebecca - March 2018 Scholarship Essay

In second grade, most kids usually have an idea of what they want to be when they grow up. It’s usually something along the lines of princess, model, spy, or firefighter. They can’t grasp concepts that older kids can, however it can be taught to them. From a very young age, we are always told, “school and learning is the most important in your life,” which is true. As a kid, you can’t wait to get out of school, and the focus is on recess and what you’re doing when you go home. Lifelong learning is a personal motivation, it’s not just about going to school and class, it’s about going the extra mile to learn things outside of school.
If I was telling a second grade student about lifelong learning, I would start by asking the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Once they answer, I will start to ask if they know where they want to go to college. I would explain to them the importance of studying, and if you do well in elementary and middle school, you will develop patterns to do well in high school. Ultimately, success in high school, admission to great colleges, and success in college. I would tell them that at this point, they have their entire lives ahead of them, and can choose the path they want to take. They can take the path to success, and do well in high school, get into a good college, continue to do well, and after college they can either go for further schooling, or get a great job due to their success. Unfortunately, there is a path to failure, which would only arise during high school, when their grades and GPA tank and many people often think about whether they are even going to go to college. I would teach them to be the best that they could be, and focus on studying and doing well.
The most successful people in life are always learning new things, and the world will always have new concepts and ideas to learn about. If they continue to learn, and continue to do well in their lives, they can ultimately do whatever they want, and they can be whatever they want to be. As long as they remain focused on their goals, and not let outside influences make them stray off the path to success, they can make all their dreams come true. Their dreams would ultimately become a reality, and all it takes it to remain focused and motivated, while never giving up. I would tell them that people can be as mean to you as they want, and they can say whatever they want to try and break you, but one thing they cannot take is your education and what you learn. The key to success is ultimately lifelong learning, and taking advantages of the great tools that are readily available to you.
I would tell them all the above things I mentioned, and tell them that they need to focus, and study hard. They should strive to do the best they can, and always study for tests and quizzes they have. Even the smartest people had to study, and it took them very far in life. If they do that, they can be whatever they want to be in college. Success starts early, and exemplary study habits are easier to carry out through life if they are developed very early in life, even as early as second grade.