Strive for Infinity by Rushi

Strive for Infinity by Rushi - August 2016 Scholarship Essay

My most treasured subject in high school was AP Calculus BC (equivalent of college-level Calculus II in most schools). I was always fond of mathematics and the teacher who taught it, Mr. Youmshakian, was someone who I’ve known since eight grade. The was one of the most challenging courses I’ve taken prior to entering college. AP Calculus is not easy by any means—even for those who have mastered the fundamentals, like Pre-Calculus. I struggled throughout my two years of calculus in high school in both exams and homework. Doing problems on a regular basis, I worked to develop a better understanding of the subject. There is no shame in admitting that overcoming the constant frustration (when getting stuck or confused) was not an easy thing to master. Being able to convince yourself that you can do it, despite all your present setbacks, is anything but easy.

I recall reaching a breaking point during the middle of my first year in Calculus when I thought that perhaps this wasn’t something I was built for. Some of my closest friends dropped the course and I could have withdrawn from the course myself had I chose to. What kept me from dropping the course, though, was just one reason- Mr. Y. I have yet to meet another teacher who is so patient and tenacious about his style of teaching. He knew that I could do it and always during office hours he made sure that I knew that myself! Even when I thought I didn’t know how to solve a problem, he believed in me. His refusal to think otherwise is what pushed me to strive towards perfection (or infinity for all those mathematicians out there). Today in college, I am exempt from both Calculus I and II because I scored proficient enough on my advanced placements in high school.

For me as a student, having someone continuously believe in you is worth everything. Today as I venture on a pre-med track, having completed by first year of college, I carry on that confidence that I evolved through AP Calculus in high school. You need to believe in yourself that you can be extraordinary—that you can achieve the impossible. The moment you appreciate the intellect that you carry is the moment you’ll gradually start developing a better understanding of the subject or work at hand that you are trying to master as well. Today I know more than just the chain rule or the Taylor series. Today I know what confidence and contentment feels like. Being a student is all about learning and persevering. You have to give the subject its fair share of time in in order to get the desired results. But beyond the time what you need to exude is confidence! I carry on my experiences of doing homework for hours on WebAssign with me as I strive to master the next hurdle of my career this fall- Organic Chemistry. I know that as long as I do my best, I will be extraordinary in whatever I choose to do.