I wrote this paper my senior year of
high school. I was applying for a
scholarship and I wanted to explain how important an education is to me. Enjoy!
WHY I PLAN TO GO TO COLLEGE
My father. Passionate for his love of books, knowledge, history of the world, religion, sports, and family. Optimistic, yet realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. Winston Churchill’s “Never, never, never give up” a guiding motto. Intelligent and self-assured. My father. A drug addict. He died one week before my tenth birthday due to many years of substance abuse. But he taught me something that no one else could: He taught me that life is worth living—really living—no matter how difficult it may be. He told me to grasp hold of opportunities whenever I can. And his death reminds me that I cannot afford to merely sit back and watch life pass me by because time is precious.
In my reflection on his life, I have gained a perspective that has allowed me to filter out those experiences that I do not want to have, to avoid the mistakes that caused him and those around him so much pain. Yet at the same time, his passions have infused in me the yearning to seek knowledge and understanding with every opportunity and experience that comes my way.
I want to gain experience and knowledge, and I feel college is the best step on my educational journey. I have many interests in many different areas. A role model of mine, Walt Disney, once said: “There are fashions in reading, even in thinking. You don't have to follow them unless you want to. On the other hand, watch out. Don't stick too closely to your favorite subject. That would keep you from adventuring into other fields. It's silly to build a wall around your interests." I have tried to remember this quote as opportunities have surfaced, and I strongly believe that college will break down the walls that might otherwise limit my vision for my life.
After being out of public school for several years and bouncing from home-school to charter school, I found myself presented with an invitation to join the high school swim team as a sophomore. Needless to say, I was intimidated and lacking confidence. But through reassurance and encouragement from a caring coach that believed in me and could see potential that I could not, I “took the plunge”. My swimming experience taught me hard work, dedication, teamwork, leadership, sacrifice, self-confidence and helped me to realize that I can accomplish whatever I desire. All of these lessons were learned because I refused to let life pass me by.
My father’s life—both successes and failures—have taught me many things. But most importantly, his life taught me that the search for knowledge and growth experiences is priceless. I believe that college will provide me with experiences that I will acquire nowhere else. I cannot, and will not, pass up this opportunity.
I am going through many transitions in my life right now where I am trying to figure out who I want to be, where I want to be, and what I want to be and my mother is a huge blessing in my life. She helps me to deal with the weight of the world, and she inspires me to be happy and to enjoy life, even through times of trial and hardship. She encourages me to stay true to myself and to always find the good in things. She is my bestestest friend! She has gone through many hard and trying times in her life and has always come out of them stronger. She is my role model who I am striving to be like. From wiping tears to giving hugs, to cooking and cleaning and to finding matching socks and lost shoes, my mom is truly an amazing person and I love her dearly.
So I have been racking my brain for weeks trying to come up with a Halloween costume... and I finally made my decision! Drum roll please... I am going to be Peter Pan! I will post a picture of my costume as soon as I get it all together. And as so famously quoted by the opening words of Peter Pan, "All children, except one, grow up." So here I come! Pixie dust and all.
"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
"Waste Please? huh?" That's what I thought to myself as I was taking pictures of the many different waste receptacles around the Happiest Place on Earth.
