Too little to late by Tabitha

Too little to late by Tabitha - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

All sorts of Students can relate to the bad habit, procrastination, and some are more proactive than others. I know that I haven’t reached my full potential in this area; my New Year’s Resolution for 2016 is to give up being a procrastinator. This is going to be a tall order because upon reflection I realize that it is a fundamental weakness of mine; it doesn’t just affect my student career but it affects my personal life as well.
Becoming a proactive student will eliminate panic and underwhelming completed school work; I can’t count on my hands how many times I was flabbergasted because of looming deadlines. Proactive students tend to get their projects, homework and studying done as early as possible, this creates a more positive attitude and aura around the student. This is an example of what I need to do this coming school semester, however, what about the future; is it possible that I am procrastinating and it will affect my future?
My estimated graduation date is spring of 2018 and within those two and a half years, I need to take and get an above average score on the GRE, maintain a 2.5 GPA, complete 2,000 hours of volunteer work, get scuba certified and apply to my dream graduate school. A procrastinator would think they have plenty of time and just put all of those important things on the back burner, but a proactive student would take all the necessary steps to make sure everything on the task list is completed to the highest level of satisfaction. I have given myself dates and deadlines to adhere to this year and for 2017 as well. Being a proactive undergraduate student in 2016 and 2017 will prepare me for the rigorous study in store for me at the University of California Davis’s DVM program starting in the fall of 2018.
I have taken the steps necessary to prepare myself for graduate school, but what about beyond that? After I graduated high school, I attended a community college and I didn’t prepare myself properly for a four year college; let alone graduate school and beyond. However after four hard and unsuccessful years of selling real estate; the experience of adulthood has drastically changed my outlook on life and my plans for the perfect future. My imminent dream job consists of physical labor and outdoor activity. Recently I had my first child; consequently I am very out of shape. Getting my swimmer’s body back will help prepare me for a scuba diving certification. A scuba certification and superb swimming skills will get me into an internship specializing in marine mammals after graduate school. Getting back in shape will not only help me in 2016 but it will prepare me for the challenging position I plan to hold at Sea World.
I used to be a procrastinator, in fact it’s taken me years to change my ways. Thankfully, I’ve implemented a more proactive schedule outlined with all of my goals and aspirations. Continuing this behavior through 2016 will help preserve good habits for the coming years ahead. I want to be healthier in both mind and body this year, and let’s face it procrastination does nothing for your emotional well being causing less than desirable results. Time is a fickle friend and to the procrastinator time is a forthcoming adversary.