Education: The Life Changer by Sara

Education: The Life Changer by Sara - December 2014 Scholarship Essay

In today’s world, we are told to go to college and get a degree so we can become more useful members of society. Initially, I didn’t want to go to college. I went because I thought that’s what you are supposed to do. I went because all of my friends were going and I thought it would be fun. The truth is, college is fun; however, college is very hard. Now that I have made it through four semesters of college, I realize that I should not have gone just because everyone else was, and that I should have gone because I wanted earn a degree on my own. Although my original intentions were ungrounded, I have made my education my top priority.

Throughout my college experience, I have learned so much, not just by shoving a book in my face, but by living on my own and being responsible for myself. College life is so strict, you have no choice but to learn or you will fail. I have always hated the word “failure.” When I am associated with failure, I get so disappointed in myself and pretty much keep reminding myself that I’ll live in a cardboard box for the rest of my life if I don’t shape up. Yes, this is a little extreme; however, this mindset has made me achieve so much throughout my college journey. I pay attention in class, do all of my homework, and study for all my tests just because I refuse to fail.

While “acting” scholarly, I realized that I actually like going to class and learning. I have learned so much about various topics; I annoy my friends by always starting a conversation with “did you know…?”. I love to talk about what all I have learned, so much that I feel bad for anyone that is around me. I am dyslexic and being forced to read so much, I can read twice as fast as I could prior to college and I also don’t get my words mixed up while talking. Education has changed my life completely. I am not embarrassed to speak in front of people anymore, or read out loud anymore. It is strange to think that I am thankful for being such a naive kid by wanting to do what everyone else is doing. I ended up doing what was best for me and I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to college. Education not only has changed me, but it has shaped me into who I am today.