Learning to Retain, not Regurgitate. by Sophia

Learning to Retain, not Regurgitate. by Sophia - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

The process of entering college this year has been very stressful so far, with FAFSA, scholarships, and creating a schedule. I have been overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity of this new aspect of my life. While I have many goals for the upcoming school year, my focus is mainly towards creating an in-depth understanding of the subjects that I am taking. To clarify; I have been reasonably proficient in education my entire life, maintaining consistent A’s and B’s throughout my time in high school. However, I never really retained the information that I was “learning” to pass my course.
Although I could recite the material, I didn't understand why it was important, what it would help me with, and how this information was beneficial enough to be taught to students. Algebra, for the most part, appears pointless until you are put in a specific situation where you need it. From working at a local vet clinic I have come to understand that a basic understanding of simple algebra is vital to being able to prescribe the correct dose of pills. My algebra teachers not only taught me the formula but how to put the formula together from story problems; this has greatly benefited me in my work at the vet clinic. It seemed pointless then, but the more complex problems required me to build problem solving skills that did end up assisting me in my future. I wish to better my ability to retain information, improving my understanding of the subject beyond simply consuming the information and regurgitating it onto a test or exam only to forget it as soon as the semester ends. The subjects I will soon be taking act as the core foundation of which my degree will be built on. For example: I need a full understanding of chemistry to go into organic chemistry, as well as a full understanding of organic chemistry to go into veterinary medicine.
Throughout my first four years of college, I hope to be placing the groundwork for a doctorate in Veterinary medicine. It is vital that I have a well established understanding of the basics before I get into any advanced courses that have to do with my major. I plan to achieve this goal by creating study groups to work alongside with, as I benefit from learning with others. I also intend to acquire on campus tutors for English, Math, and Chemistry classes, as having someone to work one-on-one with who already understands a topic will further my understanding with combined effort. Finally, I will be putting countless hours into studying, which is the cornerstone of college education and will undoubtedly become my tool to truly achieve a finer understanding of my studies.