The academic challenge of my pre-calculus class and how I overcame it by Marly

The academic challenge of my pre-calculus class and how I overcame it by Marly - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my academic career, one of the most challenging experiences I faced was during my junior year of highschool when I took a particularly difficult precalculus course. This class was known for its rigorous curriculum, and the pace was fast, covering an extensive range of topics in a short amount of time. As well as I am a highschool student taking college classes which has made it more challenging for me. I had always excelled in mathematical skills but also my resilience and time management abilities.

At the beginning of the semester, I was confident in my abilities and assumed I would be able to handle this course with minimal difficulty. However, as the weeks progressed, I began to struggle. The concepts became more abstract, and the problems more complex. I found myself spending long hours in the library, trying to work through assignments and review material, but still falling short of understanding some of the key concepts. Despite my best efforts, my first few exams reflected my struggles, leaving me feeling discouraged and frustrated.

What made this experience even more challenging was that it tested my sense of self-worth as a student. I had always prided myself on being a strong academic performer, so failing to succeed in this class made me question my abilities. It was easy to slip into negative self-talk, telling myself that I wasn’t cut out for such difficult material.

However, after some reflection, I realized that simply working harder wasn’t enough. I needed to approach the problem differently. I decided to take a more proactive approach to learning. I reached out to my professor and explained the difficulties I was facing. He was understanding and provided additional resources, including review sessions and one-on-one tutoring. I also began attending study groups, where I could collaborate with my classmates and learn from their insights. These social aspects not only helped me understand the material more deeply but also gave me a sense of camaraderie and motivation.

In addition, I learned to manage my time more effectively. I broke down the complex problem into smaller, more manageable sections, and set aside specific times each day to focus solely on precalculus. By spreading out my study sessions and being more organized, I found that the material became less overwhelming. I also allowed myself to take regular breaks to avoid burnout and maintain my focus.

Gradually, my understanding of the subject improved. With each exam, I saw progress, and by the end of the trimester, I had successfully passed the course with a grade I was proud of. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability, and the value of seeking help when needed. It also reinforced the idea that academic challenges, while difficult, can be overcome with the right mindset and strategies.

In retrospect, the experience of struggling in precalculus turned out to be one of the most valuable lessons in my academic journey. It taught me noy only how to approach challenging subjects but also how to handle setbacks with resilience. I now understand that academic success is not just about innate ability but about persistence, seeking support, and continuously adapting to overcome obstacles.