Thursday Nights by Ella

Thursday Nights by Ella - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

Oh, Thursday nights: the night the entire Frazier Family would dread. From the moment the list was handed out Monday morning, stress and anticipation have been building, and it all sets in on Thursday night. Words that I have been able to spell all week exit my brain as frustration brews, only resulting in my eyes swelling up with tears and panic setting in. The Friday morning test will be over in less than 24 hours, but for now, the inability to spell ‘business’ or ‘restaurant’ seems like the end of the world. Doubt filled my head every Thursday night as I fretted about what my grade would be. Every. Single. Thursday. But among all my self-doubt, there was someone who believed I could do anything I put my mind to: my mom.

My mom has always been able to notice my academic anxiety, which enabled her to encourage me through all my stress. Early into my childhood, she found ways to ease my stress and make me feel confident. One of the best ways she did this was by implementing “Sparkle Fridays.” Every Friday, she would make me wear glitter, sequins, or something shiny, and when she would drop me off, she would say, “Go sparkle and shine!” Seeing her confidence in me allowed me to become confident in myself and fight my academic anxiety. Throughout middle and high school and even to this day, she still exhibits her faith in me; she always knows when I have an exam, and she makes it a priority to send an encouraging text, often accompanied by a Bible verse, before I start. She even goes as far as congratulating me and telling me that she knew I could do it or reassuring me there is always a next time and that she is proud of me either way when the results come back.
Because of my mom’s never-ending support and encouragement, she has made the greatest impact on my educational journey. She always gives me the advice I need while speaking the truth. She knows when I need positive words to bring me out of academic stress, and she never fails to provide her support. Without her, I would work myself up to a point where I could not succeed well or succeed at all, meaning I would have never reached the point I am today; honestly, I might not have even made it through those countless Thursday nights. It is truly a blessing to have people in your corner who support you through thick and thin, celebrate your successes, and offer wise advice to help you tackle any battle, and I am so thankful for not only having multiple people to do this but having one who can do it all.