Do What You Love by Shreya

Do What You Love by Shreya - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

Throughout high school, my newspaper adviser would constantly ask me how I managed to juggle everything—competing at the national level for DECA and FBLA, interning for my state senator, actively lobbying to pass the legislation I introduced protecting student press freedom rights, and, of course, performing in my school's choir. My answer was always the same: I only do what I love doing.

That has been true since my freshman year. In ninth grade, I joined every club I thought was even remotely interesting, and then slowly furthered my contribution to the ones I saw myself loving the most. I made the decision to leave Mock Trial and Investment Club after my freshman year, and it gave me the opportunity to become president of Debate and the Managing Editor for my school newspaper. In high school, you have 10 million organizations happening around you all the time, and getting value from these four years to set yourself up for success means filling your plate up with activities you like.

And this extends to classes, too. If I had forced myself into taking AP Chemistry instead of Honors, I never would have been able to find my love for French at the AP level, or gone on to succeed during its AP exam and make plans to study abroad in Paris during college. When one door closes, another will always open, but you have to mentally filter your search for extracurriculars and courses that you will love experiencing.

I honestly do not believe I could have stayed focused on school if I was enrolled in classes and clubs that I resented. My motivation sometimes comes from discipline, yes, but why I succeed? I just truly enjoy what I'm doing.