Better For Me and the Trees by Sarah

Better For Me and the Trees by Sarah - January 2020 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I spent all my time outside playing with my brother until the sun set and the temperature dropped. All of my classmates talked about the latest Disney movies and the next cool computer game, but all I wanted to do was go on a bike ride or go swimming. By the time sixth grade came around, I had gotten cable, I got my first phone, and our school was introducing Chromebooks to the students. I was thrown into a pool of technology that I didn’t understand. I was used to feeling the pages in my hands as I read and being able to compute math problems right on the page. On top of my lack of technological knowledge, we were the first class of students in our school district to ever use Chromebooks. We would have no predecessors to show us the ropes of Chromebook usage. It’s safe to say I was dreading the roll out.
To my surprise, the help of my advisers and my family was all I needed to become a Chromebook pro. It was so much easier to have a place where all of my homework and information was stored. Over the years, I have learned so much, not only about how to use technology, but also things as a result of technology. If I come across something in my homework or in a book that I don’t understand, I can look it up in a matter of seconds. My knowledge has flourished with the assistance of my laptop. The ease of information retrieval saves me so much time that I can still go outside adventuring and spend time doing what I love.
Another advantage that I have found from the use of technology is the reprieve from the copious amounts of paper that teachers give out. The environment is a topic that is super important to me, and I am grateful to teachers who go the online route instead of printing a copy for every student in the class. Textbooks are now used online so there is less of a need for textbook printing. Although it seems like a small feat, it really helps and encourages students to do their part for the environment.
On top of all of these aforementioned positives, next year in college I will be able to more easily adapt to the online elements of classes. I have experience using Canvas, Microsoft word and other avenues of technology that are necessary for operation in college.
I can not believe that my primary and secondary school career is coming to a close, but thanks to the integration of technology into all aspects of my life, I have learned how to be efficient and use the many resources provided for me. My college nerves are subsided thanks to my understanding and experience within technology.