My first semester challenge. by Jonathan

My first semester challenge. by Jonathan - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

One of the most serious academic challenges I had to face took place during my first semester of college, where I was forced to juggle between several demanding courses while adapting to a new learning environment. My computer science class was especially challenging. I had problems understanding complex programming concepts, such as algorithms and data structures, which were foundational but entirely new to me. Coupled with this, it was challenging to juggle with other courses that required much reading and writing, such as my general education subjects.

Soon, it also became a matter of time management since the assignments and projects seemed to keep piling up before deadlines. To overcome this, I sought help from my professors and tutors, attended study groups, and put extra time to practice coding outside of class. Also, I got better at organizing myself through highly detailed study schedules and being more effective in prioritizing what needed to be done.

The fact that it was a quite grueling experience, this situation taught me the importance of persistence and seeking support when needed. By getting adequate supports for oneself, one is able to attain meaningful time management skills. Overall, through persistence, I was ultimately better understanding the material and completed the semester having an accomplished feeling knowing I'd grown academically from such an experience.