Seeking Discomfort by Noah

Seeking Discomfort by Noah - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

I’ve always been better at English. Creating worlds within essays and deeply analyzing readings has always come naturally to me. English has allowed me to express thoughts and emotions with clarity and creativity. However, my comfort in the subject has also reinforced hesitancy in exploring others, such as mathematics and, ironically, art. I don’t want to put myself into the stereotypical categories of being a “math-person” or an “English-person” because I enjoy all parts of learning, even those that don’t come naturally.

Rather than letting comfort deter me, I have chosen to confront it head-on. I want to struggle. I want to not know the answers to things sometimes because I believe that true learning happens in those moments of uncertainty. For example, enrolling in AP Calculus AB in my senior year wasn’t a decision that I made lightly. I knew I didn’t have a strong history in math, but I took that leap of faith because I wanted to get better in the areas I wasn’t proficient in. I have realized that struggling with complex equations has not diminished my capabilities; instead, it has enhanced my problem-solving skills and taught me resilience. I have learned to approach math not just as numbers and formulas, but as a language of its own, rich with patterns and logic. My long-term goal is to focus on GSCM in the aerospace sector. I know that in order to get there, it will require a number of challenging math and science-related courses, all of which I know I am fully capable of succeeding in.

Similarly, in art, I have realized that true excellence in a subject isn’t always found in staying between the lines. I used to think that in order to be great at art, you had to copy the exact same lines as the teacher to get an acceptable final product. But I have come to realize, through my art classes in middle and high school, that true creativity and personal expression arises from breaking free of rigid boundaries. As a side note, I signed up for a ceramics class in my senior year, a topic I know nothing about, because I know it will challenge me.

I'm excited to continue this path because I actively seek discomfort. I immerse myself in uncomfortable experiences to fulfill my long-term career and personal goals. Viewing failure as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint allows me to embrace learning opportunities with open arms. I look forward to continuing this exploration, recognizing that every experience deepens my understanding of the world and shapes me as a lifelong learner.