Hard Work Does More Good Than Harm by Simone

Hard Work Does More Good Than Harm by Simone - August 2016 Scholarship Essay

For the majority of high school students, math is their least favorite subject. It seems that students either put in a significant amount of effort and excel in math class or they do the bare minimum to pass.

I have been fortunate to have been one of the students who understood math and could exceed expectations without much effort. But, my poor studying skills in math meant that I hit a brick wall in my freshman year of high school. I found myself stumbling over the obstacles of Geometry within weeks. New material and homework piled up. I knew I could not breeze through this time. I had to stop being stubborn and reevaluate my study habits quickly before my grades and social life went down the drain.

Of all of my classes that year, I spent the majority of my time studying and practicing material for Geometry. My hard work paid off. When it was time next to move on to Precalculus and AP Calculus, my math workload and focus increased. It was hard, and I had to be honest with myself. I knew I could not sit back and relax in a math class ever again. These challenges made me buckle down and become a better student.

Last year, I remained focused and put an intense amount of effort into my AP Calculus class. Despite my increased work ethic and effort, the class was still a challenge. Without a doubt, AP Calculus was the hardest class I had taken yet. I questioned my ability to pass the AP exam. Then, when I received a 4 on the AP Calculus exam, I realized the struggles and doubts were worth it. My hard work paid off. Thanks to the reality check of my freshman year, I learned how to work smart. If not for freshman year Geometry's challenges, I don't think I could have passed that AP Calculus exam.

Before high school, I would not have considered taking on the challenge of AP Calculus, but I'm glad I did. After Geometry slapped me in the face, my resulting growth prepared me to take on that AP class. Today, as I prepare for an even tougher course, Statistics, I believe I can succeed. My math skills are better, but more importantly, my focus, confidence, and study habits have improved. While I may not always be the best in my class, I can always work to get better.

If my journey through high school mathematics has taught me anything, it is that putting in hard work does more good than harm. I had nothing to lose and as a result, I became a better student.