Overcoming the Worst by Kashana

Overcoming the Worst by Kashana - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

One of the most challenging academic experiences I’ve faced occurred during my high school years, when I took on an advanced calculus course. I had always excelled in math, but this was an entirely different level. The concepts were complex, the pace was fast, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to keep up with the material. I remember feeling a growing sense of frustration and doubt as I struggled with each lesson. The formulas seemed like a foreign language, and my usual study habits weren’t enough to make sense of the abstract concepts. For the first time in my academic career, I found myself questioning my abilities.

I knew that if I gave up, I’d be letting myself down, and I was determined not to do that. At first, I tried to solve the problem on my own. I spent hours after school reviewing notes, watching online tutorials, and working through practice problems, hoping that one of these methods would unlock the key to understanding. However, despite all my efforts, I still felt overwhelmed by the material. I began to feel isolated, as though I were the only one struggling with the course.

It was then that I realized I needed to approach the situation differently. Instead of attempting to figure everything out by myself, I decided to reach out for help. I started by attending the teacher’s office hours, where I could ask questions in a more personalized environment. Initially, I felt embarrassed—admitting that I was struggling didn’t come easily. But when I walked into that first office hour session, I found that my teacher was incredibly understanding. She didn’t just help me work through the problems I was stuck on; she also explained the reasoning behind each step, encouraging me to see the logic of the concepts rather than just memorizing formulas. This approach allowed me to better connect with the material and gave me the confidence to move forward.

Despite this newfound support, I knew I needed more than just tutoring. I was still having trouble mastering certain topics, and I knew I had to put in even more effort if I wanted to succeed. I made a commitment to change my study habits. I started breaking down the material into smaller, more digestible chunks. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, I focused on mastering one concept at a time. I would spend the first half of my study session going over the lessons from class and the second half solving practice problems related to the topic I was studying. It was slow progress, but it was progress nonetheless.

I also reached out to my classmates, many of whom were more comfortable with the material than I was. We formed a study group, where we could discuss the problems together and help each other understand the more difficult aspects of the course. This was incredibly beneficial, as different people often explained things in different ways, and sometimes hearing the material explained from a peer’s perspective helped make things clearer. The collaboration also fostered a sense of camaraderie and gave me a sense of reassurance that I wasn’t in this alone.

After months of persistent effort, things began to click. I could now solve the problems that had once seemed impossible, and the material that had once seemed overwhelming was now within my grasp. I found myself looking forward to the challenges of each new lesson, knowing that I had the tools to face them head-on.

The turning point came when I took a test that covered some of the most difficult topics of the course. I had studied relentlessly for it, using everything I had learned from my teacher, my classmates, and my own efforts. When the results were returned, I had earned one of the highest grades in the class. It was an incredibly rewarding moment—not just because of the grade, but because I had worked through my struggles and came out stronger on the other side.

That experience taught me several valuable lessons, lessons that have stayed with me throughout my academic career. First, I learned that it’s okay to ask for help. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you should be able to handle everything on your own, but sometimes the best way to overcome challenges is by collaborating with others and seeking guidance when needed. Second, I learned that persistence is key. The road to success is rarely smooth, but by staying committed to my goals, even when the journey was difficult, I was able to overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable at the time. Finally, I learned the importance of adaptability. I had to change my approach to studying, rethinking what methods worked for me and what didn’t, and finding new strategies that helped me succeed.

This experience shaped not only my academic journey but also my approach to challenges in all aspects of my life. Whether it’s solving a tough programming problem as a Software Engineering major or navigating a personal dilemma, I now know that persistence, collaboration, and adaptability are key to overcoming any challenge. What once seemed like an insurmountable obstacle has become a testament to my ability to face adversity head-on, and I carry the lessons learned from this experience with me every day.