Practice Scholarship essay

I wrote this essay for my English class. My prompt was to create a scholarship essay.

Education and its importance in my life

    Even before I knew the true meaning of the word education, I had a deep love for learning. From that love of learning grew the firm belief that education is and will always be a key part of my life. As soon as I could, I wanted to go out and spread the importance of education as a mentor to kids that struggled just like me. My parents' legacies and some inspiring high school mentors guided me on my path to deciding that I wanted to pursue higher education and guide other students to wanting the most for themselves. As a result of who guided me growing up, I truly endorse and try to follow the idea of being a lifelong learner. 

Education is important to me because it allows me to be better trained to serve others. Throughout my life, I have been blessed to be surrounded with amazing people who are educated in the field they are in, whether that was through a trade or technical school or traditional college experience. In high school, I

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gained a mentor that made me feel so confident in myself and my ability to learn, and he showed me through example why an education is so important. It allows you to better go out and help others with the thorough training, reasoning, compassion, and understanding to back you up. Without everything I learned with my high school education, I never would have had the opportunity to go out and work as a mentor in local middle schools. It was only because of what I have learned informally and formally in school that I was able to properly help, guide, and mentor middle school students that were chronically absent. I love going out and helping others, and my education gives me the tools to go out and truly make a difference. Not only am I learning from the world’s and society’s past mistakes, but I am discovering how to truly care for a person as a nurse. 

    Beyond how I can create a bigger impact in the world, education is important to me because of the

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opportunities and doors it opens. My parents were both first-generation college students, and I am very proud to know that my parents went to school and succeeded. Despite having 3 kids, throughout their time in college they worked jobs and applied for many different scholarships. They made it out with a bachelor’s in psychology for my mom and a master’s in microbiology for my dad. Once my parents got out of school, they could work practically anywhere they wanted, and I want that same freedom and opportunity. Along with their freedom and flexibility in job choice, my parents were left with an enviable amount of financial stability that I would like to copy and paste into my life. As a result of my parents' love for learning, I developed the philosophy of endeavoring to be a lifelong learner. 

    Another key reason why education is important to me is because it challenges me to never stop learning

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and growing. I try to live by the motto to seek discomfort. Find what pushes you out of your comfort zone, and you’ll discover where you can grow. More often than not, what pushes you out of where you are comfortable is learning new things. My dream is to graduate with my bachelor’s degree, which constantly challenges me to learn new things and adapt. I never had any dream career when I was little, but little by little I am building a life little would’ve dreamed of. I know that by endeavoring to be a learner in all aspects of my life, I can learn something from everyone around me. As I work towards my bachelor’s in nursing, I know that I can consistently find the joy in learning and continue to change and grow. 

    Above all, valuing the impact education has had on my life is extremely beneficial to me. I want to continue to spread this joy of learning with other experiences like AmeriCorps. A major influence in that decision is the desire to pass on my parents legacy. My hope as I continue to live by this goal is that I can endeavor to never stop learning in all aspects of my life. I will never stop pursuing education and allowing it to take precedence in my life. I challenge you to do the same by mentoring others or learning something new.