Learning to be Thankful, and being Thankful for Learning by Talia

Learning to be Thankful, and being Thankful for Learning by Talia - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

My new year’s resolution is to be more optimistic about school and learning and be thankful for the opportunities that are given to me. As a student, it’s so easy to get caught up in a dreary pessimistic routine of class, homework, test, repeat and forget the main goal in sight. One of the things that I’ve learned in college is that if you have a positive outlook it makes everything so much better. I remember there was one day that I was absolutely exhausted from writing papers, studying in the library, as well as working on campus, and I was incredibly tempted to skip class. It was a class where I already knew the material, and I figured I could get away with a day off. As I was considering not attending the class, I talked it through with one of my best friends. As I mentioned my plans to her, she turned to me disappointedly and said, “Don’t skip class.” I frowned, already annoyed and turned back to her. “Why?” I challenged, exhausted and not in the mood to sit through a class where I already knew the material. She turned back towards me, “Don’t get arrogant. No matter if you know the material or if you’ve already read ahead or even if you’re taking a class for the second time, you can always learn something by being in class. Sitting in your dorm room, you won’t get discussions, possible hints on tests, homework help, but furthermore, you really won’t be learning at all. If you already knew everything, why are you in the class, but more importantly why are you in college?”
Though her words were harsh, I knew they were what I needed to hear. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to go to college and learn freely, and here I was being pessimistic and also severely ungrateful of the opportunity to attend class and learn. There are so many kids out there that have no financial means, no familial support, and unfortunate experiences that hinder them from being able to learn at all. That resiliency and their strength reminded me that I am not just attending college and learning for myself, but so that I can go out and better the world for others too. My resolution to be appreciative and thankful will humble me and remind me that I am so incredibly lucky to be where I am. All of this rides alongside with a positive outlook. The negativity that I have towards school comes from laziness, and in a world where parents are collecting pop tabs on the street so that there children can afford college, laziness and ungratefulness is not appreciated, especially when it comes to college.
In the end, I ended up attending the class, and learned a lot of material that I would have never been able to comprehend on my own. But more than that, I learned about my perseverance. In college, it is so easy to stay in your dorm room, hang out with friends, or even go out when you should be in class or you should be studying. On top of this, having a negative outlook about school makes it even worse. So many people forget that school (especially at this point in my life) is here as an asset for them to learn about what they love. Yes, I do have to take some courses that I normally wouldn’t, but it doesn’t mean that I’m losing sight of my end goal, it just means I’m going to end up more well-rounded. To take the education that is intended to propel you into the real world, and brush it off as an afterthought is not only upsetting to see, but it’s a dishonor to the institution too. I’m guilty of this, and I know so many are as well. But with the new year, and the season of all-inspiring goals and new stories to be written, I hope 2016 will be filled with a positive outlook, an appreciation for knowledge, and lots and lots of learning.