My Goal for This Upcoming School Year by Zoe

My Goal for This Upcoming School Year by Zoe - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

One of my academic goals for the 2022-2023 school year is to strengthen my punctuality and be physically and mentally present for all my classes. During the bulk of the coronavirus outbreak, a laissez-faire approach to school was normalized. Teachers began by adjusting their courses to fit an asynchronous schedule and extended deadlines that were never really adhered to. While zoom-school eventually developed more structure, completing and turning in assignments continued to be treated like matters of convenience. My high school teachers didn’t particularly sanction us for late work, resulting in toxic work habits festering.

When I started college a year ago, in-person classes were quite common and attending wasn’t an issue. A few months later, however, classes were moved to either hybrid or completely online due to the risk of COVID being significantly higher. The same nonchalant behavior I exuded during the previous outbreak began to show up again. The difference between that time and this one was that college professors and teaching assistants aren’t nearly as forgiving and flexible with deadlines and penalties for late work. I found myself justifying my insouciance and doing what I thought was just enough to get by.

Naturally, I began to perform poorly in some of my classes. At the time, I didn’t piece it together, but what was stated as mandatory attendance became interpreted as unnecessary or optional, and I made excuses for that mindset. The more I skipped out on classes and did the work or lesson on my own, the less motivation I had for school. Consequently, my performance declined. It was a cycle that contributed to my mental and emotional health worsening. I convinced myself that this pattern of behavior was okay. I didn’t digest the material as well as my peers that physically went to class and received lower grades, thus feeling even more deterred to go to class.

Reflecting back on that timeline, the chain reaction of events began when I treated going to class as a choice. Showing up for my classes will allow me to truly absorb the content being taught, develop relationships with my professors and peers, and help me maintain structure in my academic life. Skipping out on lectures and sections only hurts me in the long run, and I’ve learned that opting for classes held over zoom or ones that consist solely of independent work for my convenience don’t instill healthy study habits in me. Treating my presence in class will also benefit my attitudes towards work and social situations; my punctuality influences the interactions and motivation that I have. By showing up, I am practicing a good habit that will positively impact me now and in the future.