Heart of the Matter by Rebecca

Heart of the Matter by Rebecca - May 2015 Scholarship Essay

The most important academic skill I have learned from my peers is that it is vital to work towards something one is passionate about. This lesson translates over into non-academic life too, but I have witnessed it time and time again at school.

For example, some peers were considering auditioning to give a speech at graduation. One brilliant student who has very eloquent public speaking skills auditioned because his elder brother had given the graduation speech a couple years prior. Another peer who was involved in many school activities and well rounded auditioned also. The honor role student had difficulty delivering an audience worthy speech while the well rounded girl executed hers flawlessly and captured the attention of student body. She was driven by passion to address her graduating class while the boy felt it was necessary to speak out of obligation.

I am not great at physics or computer technology which was a disappointment to my engineer father. Although he hoped one of his children would pursue his field, he understands engineering is not my or my sibling’s passion. Sure, we are capable of taking the math and science courses, but time has revealed that unless one sincerely cares about something they will be unsuccessful in achievement.

I firmly believe that everyone has something special that they are exceptional at. However, whatever you are talented at may not be your passion; and that is okay. All the talent in the world means nothing if there is no motivation. Don’t get me wrong, everyone should embrace their talents instead of wishing them away, but one has to find how to connect their skills with something they love so it may have an impact on the world.

Another example is a friend studying nursing in her first semester of college. She was bright and an excellent academic student, but was struggling with her grades tremendously. School had always come natural to her and she was perplexed about why it was suddenly difficult. Over Christmas break she shadowed a nurse around an ICU unit of a hospital and it was then she realized she didn’t love nursing. She loved the concept of nursing. The idea of job stability, flexible hours, and helping people seemed like a perfect fit until she saw nursing in action and knew it wasn’t for her. The next semester she switched to business and found her niche in college. Her grades immediately went up and she was overall happier because she liked her work.

The merit scholar giving the graduation speech didn’t have his heart in it, although he had the necessary skills. The student government president’s speech was well received because she spent high school growing with her classmates and wanted to deliver a speech they could cherish past graduation. When writing for school, write about something that genuinely interests you because the work will be better quality than a topic where you are neutral. When looking for a summer job, apply to places that pertain to your future career instead of the easiest job. Let passion drive you, and you will end up beating all those who are naturally more talented. When the heart is determined, it is reflected on the outside helping you achieve anything.