My most challenging part of Hugh School by Nevaeh

My most challenging part of Hugh School by Nevaeh - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

One of the most challenging academic experiences I’ve faced occurred during my college biology course through OnRamps at the University of Texas in Austin. The course was intense, and the subject matter was far more complex than I have seen in high school. Since I'd always been interested in science and biology, I should have found the class stimulating. Yet, I found out soon enough that this course was not as easy as I had thought. Specifically, I found the study of cellular processes, genetics, and molecular biology to be particularly difficult. At first, I struggled to grasp the material, which made it hard to keep up with the fast pace of the course. The sheer volume of information required extensive memorization, and many of the concepts were abstract and difficult to visualize.

As the weeks went by, my anxiety increased. I realized that, even with all of my efforts, I could not grasp the material well. This challenge was exacerbated by the fact that I was also balancing my high school coursework and extracurricular responsibilities. I started to get anxious about being able to do the course well, and that increased the stress. I realized I needed to figure out how to turn things round or it would be all too late.

I made the next step towards solving this problem, which was to evaluate the ways I studied. Until then, though, I had used a rather passive methodology of learning, that is, treating the textbook and notes the same way. Yet, I came to the conclusion that this material from which to start working was so complex that this approach wasn't enough. I wanted to be more strategic about how I studied. For this, however, I divided the material into more manageable units. I dealt with just one concept at a time, ensuring that I got to know each of the components individually before progressing to the next one. In contrast to trying to learn the whole chapter all at once, for example, I would split the chapter into pieces and thoroughly master each part before moving on.

Another change I made was in how I utilized my class materials. I noticed that, although the textbook was a complete course, it was sometimes less useful in revealing the nuances of the concepts. I started searching online complementary materials, including YouTube videos and online tutorials, in order to try and visualize the concepts for which I was having trouble. This was particularly useful for the area of cell division and genetic processes, which are much more comprehensible when they can be watched instead of learning to read about them. I also started using practice problems and online quizzes to test my understanding, which allowed me to identify areas where I needed further clarification.

Although I tried my hardest, I still got stuck on some of the more challenging material. I soon realized that I needed to seek help outside of my self-study routine. I decided to go to office hours of my professor, a resource i'd taken for granted so far. Initially, I was hesitant to ask for help, fearing that it would reflect poorly on my abilities. Nevertheless, I soon learned that my professor was also a helpful and enthusiastic teacher, who encouraged students to be proactive in putting questions to him. I could make targeted questions and have depthful conversations at office hours that enhanced my comprehension of the subjects. My professor also provided me with additional resources and suggested ways to improve my study habits. This experience taught me that it is okay to ask for help, and that there are often resources available to support your success if you’re willing to seek them out.

In addition to office hours, I connected with classmates who were also enrolled in the course. We then created a study group that met on a regular basis to review the material. We'd discuss the ideas in depth, debate various viewpoints within them and probe each other for knowledge on the same. This group study format allowed me to engage with the material in a more interactive way, which helped reinforce my learning. In addition, we also discussed and exchanged study tips, in the process, learned contrasting ways of processing the content. I realized that when discussing complex concepts with other people, not only did it clarify my own comprehension, it also helped me to remember the information better.

With the passing of time, I began to acquire confidence in processing the content. The concepts that once seemed abstract and confusing became clearer as I continued to break them down, seek help, and engage with the material in different ways. I discovered that my study sessions improved in terms of optimianess and my ability to retain information. This sense of progress motivated me to keep going, and I became more committed to putting in the necessary work to succeed. I also understood that learning is a way of life and it is perfectly fine to have problems when facing something hard, as long as I keep going.

At the end of the course, however, apart from the further enhancement of the grades, I had deepened the understanding of the subject. What began as a feeling of utter defeat transformed into an avenue of growth. I had learned how to approach difficult material more effectively, how to ask for help when needed, and how to collaborate with others to deepen my understanding. This experience has also demonstrated to me the value of optimism and its relation to perseverance and adversity. There were moments when I wanted to stop, but I discovered that academic or even life achievement is frequently achieved by battling through the challenges and coming up with innovative solutions to problems.

In conclusion, my experience in the OnRamps biology course was a challenging but ultimately rewarding one. It taught me valuable lessons about effective study strategies, the importance of seeking help, and the value of perseverance. While it was initially difficult for me, I was able to get through the difficulties by revising my thinking, taking advantage of existing resources, and never giving up. This experience has made me more confident in my academic abilities and has given me the tools I need to tackle future challenges, both in school and beyond.