How First Grade Assignments Can Affect College Students by Madisen

How First Grade Assignments Can Affect College Students by Madisen - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

Is it ever too early to significantly impact a student's educational journey? As I self-reflect on positive habits instilled throughout my academic career, I fondly attribute the basis of these to my first-grade teacher. Though having only completed one year of proper schooling prior to enrollment in her class, Ms. Chrisman nurtured a gifted mind and hard-working spirit within me. These traits have been carried with me from then to now, as I am in my senior year of undergraduate studies actively applying for graduate schools.
Doing schoolwork and following directions has always come easy to me. Often, I would finish my assignments quickly, then become bored and restless. Instead of chastising me for incessantly tapping my foot or doodling on my worksheets, Ms. Chrisman encouraged me to practice silently reading. Later in the year when I soon finished all of the Scholastic titles available in her small library, she began to loan small chapter books from her own teaching supply. She would prompt me to report a summary of their contents and my feelings towards the overall messages. When she was busy grading worksheets or leading small groups, she would ask for me to partner up with another student to help them with their reading skills. She continually provided challenges such as these to stimulate my growing intellect.
Since these simpler days in primary school, my thirst for knowledge has been ever growing. I continually asked for supplemental materials as my schooling went on and strived to take what I learned outside of the classroom. My enjoyment for learning new things coupled with this work ethic instilled at a young age provided wonderful experiences such as being a first-generation bachelor's student, studying abroad, and leading several student organizations. In turn, I help other students with their study skills and offering them mentor-like advice. Ms. Chrisman's small assignments of thoughtful responsibility influenced lives at a larger scale than I am sure she realizes.
These extracurricular activities encouraged my drive to go above and beyond expectations and always ask what there is to do next. I see these traits learned by a younger self infiltrating my current study habits. I have had a successful high school and undergraduate career filled with various service projects and research advancements. The provision of these opportunities is still very much accredited to the other mentors I have had the privilege of studying under. However, I may have never opened myself up to achieving more than the bare minimum had it not been for Ms. Chrisman's enrichment. Though we lost touch several years ago, I am the utmost grateful for the significant impacts she made upon my educational journey at such a young age.