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Recommended: Overcoming adversity
Of the many core qualities that make up who I am, the one personal asset I have found that I can depend on most is my enduring tenacity. Since I was young, I have tended to be incredibly stubborn but this trait has evolved over the years to become a strength upon which I can rely. Throughout my academic career, I encountered obstacles that affected my educational experience. These troubles shaped my positive, steadfast attitude that allows me to help others. I didn’t come by this attitude easily; I earned it after overcoming my barriers. I have been humbled from these experiences and now have the opportunity to share them with others. First, I was devastated when I wasn’t accepted into my dream university. Instead, I found my way there
When I was a young girl, my older brother always did very well in school and he and the rest of our family were always very proud of his work. As I grew older and noticed all of my brother’s achievements I decided that I wanted to not only achieve what he had, but to also achieve things that he had not. Because of this strive to reach and surpass the standards that my brother had set, I developed into a person with great determination. Throughout my life I have always set goals for myself and then did everything I could in order to meet those goals. This aspect of determination in my personality has allowed me to get to where I am today, a student of George Mason University. Whenever I am faced with an obstacle, such as a hard class, I make
For as long as I can remember I have set high goals for myself regarding my future, my friendships, and my education. Entering college with these standards I knew that I wouldn’t settle for less than my best, and I would strive to amaze myself at my success. One thing I never fit into my planned path of achievement was any type of struggle, or obstacle that could alter the way I have thought for so long. The first month of college I fell upon an obstacle I never could have imagined. I suffered a knee injury and missed continuous classes following the accident as well as surgery that was necessary to my recovery. These things tested my strength as a person, but also as a student. It made everything a little more complicated, even the little things like getting out of bed in the morning. I pushed myself to see the end of the tunnel I felt seemed impossible to crawl out of. Many things helped me along the way, and just as I hadn’t imagined my accident, I couldn’t have imagined the support I found everywhere around me. I know that I can overcome obstacles in the future now because of my determination for success and the use of helpful resources all around me.
As I’m sitting here typing this, I thought this assignment would be easy but it’s not. How do you explain who you are in a paper? Where do I begin? Well, for starters, my personality, ambitions, and what I love doing should be the best standard for defining my character. One should never be anxious if they do not know everything about themselves, as we are constantly learning and discovering new features of ourselves. Personally, I am satisfied knowing my friends are worth it and consider me an asset. I’m the shortest one in my group of friends which puts me somewhat the end of the ladder. Someone might judge me just because of the way I look or act but, if they could just get to know me even more and see my personality they can see me in a whole new way.
Here lies my story in all its roughness and imperfection, and yet, it is not rough or imperfect at all; it is precisely because of roughness and imperfection that I feel I am the quintessential GS student. Ironically, I believe my struggles are the most valuable part of my story, not the success. It is my hope that you have seen through the stained glass window and through my darkness and glimpsed the radiant light that sparkles within.
Academics have always been an experience for me. I would always start the semester with a positive attitude, determined in making strides, constantly telling myself that this will be the semester I’d bounce back. However, this wasn’t always the case, I would let my doubts and barriers, in the form of excuses, hold me back from my full potential; always worried that the next semester would be my last. It wasn’t until the university requested that I take a semester off of school to reevaluate my standing, which served as a wakeup call. I was no longer a student and no longer myself. I remember thinking I could dwell on my situation and be content as a college drop out or wake-up and do something about it. Education has always determined my fate and I wanted to do everything and anything necessary to get it back. I suddenly realized how a positive and hopeful environment could transform even the direst conditions.
Once I heard the news that they were home from Alaska I race up the stairs and bulleted to the front door like a was or race horse or something. It was my grandparents and my brothers in a black car rolling up our driveway. Once they got out of the car they got bombarded with questions like “How was the trip,” “What did your guys all do,” and of course my little sister asking “did you guys get me anything.” I was kinda glad she asked that because I didn’t want to be the one that did that. Of course they answered “you’ll have to wait and see.” Once they got all of their stuff in the house I went to talk with my brothers, but I instantly got called up to the living room. Once I got up there my grandma said that my brother
Keep your head down. Walk quickly to class. Don’t talk to people. They don’t want to listen to me anyway. Why would they, they don’t like me. This was eighth grade. No real friends shy, not confident. The only place where I wanted to be was at home with my family. Besides my family were the only people who were there for me when I needed them. This mentality carried over to my Freshmen year of high school. I don’t need friends. I just need to focus on my work and make sure I go to a good college. I felt that there was no need to socialize with other students, Getting to college was all that mattered.
Throughout our lives, every one of us encounters an obstacle that, on the surface, seems too great to overcome, it is an obstacle that scares us, one that causes us think, “Perhaps I will not be able to handle this.” In life, this may come in the form of a move or relocation, loss of a family member, divorce, or any similar occurrence. In addition to the stresses that are present in our everyday lives, many of the obstacles we face cause tremendous strain on our educational journeys as well. This adversity is not important, what is important, however is how we react to the adversity we are faced with. Will we stand up for ourselves against it and fight back to find a solution or will we let it destroy us? For me, one of the greatest obstacles I faced in life and in my educational career occurred when the school I attended, Monticello Independent, consolidated with the local county school, Wayne County Schools. Despite this difficulty, I was able to overcome the challenges that I faced and grow stronger as a result.
As a young undergraduate, I attempted to prove myself as a hardworking student by attending my courses focused and well prepared, and conducting my assignments as required. Through my undergraduate studies, I was fortunate to participate in several student and voluntary activities. Furthermore, determinant to acquire relevant practical experience, I trained and worked at several establishments applying my theoretical ed...
Throughout my educational journey, I have met and overcome many of challenges. There are a few obstacles that were not the easiest to overcome, but hard work and dedication pulled me through. One challenge will always be with me and will never be forgotten. It is one that I know will help me through the times when I have no will to work. When the tides turn, and the work begins to weigh me down, I will always look back and remember replay this memory in my head.
There are many things that contribute to the everyday life of a student and their successes, most of which include the unique situations and experiences they go through. Personally, I believe the biggest factor that has affected my educational career is my mental health. Growing up while struggling with a mood disorder and a panic disorder has been incredibly difficult for me and has made school seem like an endless trek into nothing. However, every day I face life head on and strive to achieve the high goals I set for myself. Since I’ve been diagnosed, I’ve made it a goal to help others struggling with similar issues and frequently look for community service opportunities to make a difference. Despite my constant internal struggle, I have
Dr. Ross’ Comments: This essay is a very good example of a personal experience shared by the writer. She clearly describes an important episode in her life and vividly reveals a part of her true “self” to her audience.
My academic career is a continual tug-of-war between high points and low points. Through my failures successes, I learned that hard work must be combined with passion in order to achieve my goals. For the future, I expect it to only to be filled with high points. It won’t be any easier, but I’m prepared and willing to face an uphill battle. I know that once I look back at my life, I will consider getting my degree from the University of Washington as one of my most important accomplishments.
Throughout my academic career I have accomplished various achievements and been presented with many challenges. Nonetheless, these experiences were necessary in molding me into the student I am today.
Michael Jordan once said, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” This specific quote is something that I have had in my mind for the past five years of my life. Everyone has had an obstacle that they have to overcome in their life. The thing that separates me from most high school students is the ability to overcome not just one calamitous obstacle, but two in the matter of eight months. Having to go through two of the most devastating things in my life not only goes to show that I can overcome hurdles, but also shows that I have the mindset, capability, and strength to overcome any academic, athletic, and personal challenges that I have to encounter in my life.