Saved by the Book by Quianna

Saved by the Book by Quianna - May 2017 Scholarship Essay

It’s hard to observe content, successful people that have easily risen to the top without wondering how they achieved success so easily. As a high schooler, it's hard to observe classmates gliding easily through subjects and assignments with seemingly little effort, while I am left working into the wee hours of the next morning; and as a sister, it's hard to watch a sibling progressing in the same way.

Before I received this book, I contemplated quitting, or not putting in as much work as I had been since I started high school. A “felony” in my house -- quitting is never allowed -- it seemed like the best option when surrounded by others who reach for the same goals but do not appear to have to work as hard. In one instance, I was determined to get one good grade on an AP test, so I applied for after-school assistance, studied individually and with a friend, quizzed myself and watched a video -- only to land with a disappointing D. Similar experiences happened across many of my classes: I would breathe life into a project, only to get a dead grade. I lost sleep over difficult assignments, yet my report cards didn't seem to care. My stress levels increased while my self-confidence decreased. Despite my parent’s support of my continued dedication towards academics, the input of my efforts did not produce the desired output, and I quickly grew discouraged.

Disappointments like these did not only happen in school. Sports contributed to a lot of the discouragement I felt throughout high school. Though I was by no means a star player, I was thrilled to have been recruited for the soccer team for two years in a row. In the first year, soccer provided a way to relieve a bit of stress through physical activity, and I was excited to gear up and defend during games. The second year, however, I felt burdensome to the team. I was almost never called to play in games, and the coach seemed to focus more on the star players. That left those who were mostly benched to fend for themselves in terms of improvement. I felt unnecessary, as did a lot of other benched players. This experience caused me to question my dedication towards soccer, and my self-worth. Though I played my hardest during practice and did my best to earn some of the coach’s attention, I failed to feel like I was a part of the team, especially when I was teased or yelled at for my lack of skill. On my third year of tryouts, I didn’t make it onto any sports teams I tried out for.

This demeaning experience in athletics, along with slipping in academics, built up until I contemplated ending it all. I had already felt that I’d disappointed my father by not playing a sport, but I had also ruined my parents’ image of an academically successful student with failing test grades and many complications in other classes. It wasn't enough that I couldn't excel at anything I put all of my heart into, but I had siblings and classmates who could -- and they got more sleep than I did. It just came easy to them, something that I wasn't blessed with. I couldn't take any more of it; I had just about had enough.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens was the only book that kept me from sinking into a black hole of despair. Sean Covey spoke directly to me, providing success stories of those who found ways to fly without wings, including a boy who wanted to become a football player, but couldn't quite make it because he was too scrawny. After months of a balanced diet, rigorous workouts, and sleeplessness, he finally had the body for a solid player. Or, the individual who trained for weeks to climb mountains, and beat the fastest record by mere seconds. He told the stories of those ignored in high school in favor of cover girls and jocks. He warned of the dangers of a comfort zone, and how rewarding venturing out of it could be. He made studying an art form; pro-activity became an illustrious skill; he reassured me that all of the effort I put in now would definitely pay off. He stressed the importance of not giving up or in, of following the path you create, of looking towards the future, and of taking care of yourself. A “go for it” mindset has replaced “why should I care?”. I’ve taken harder classes and tried new things, like volunteering to be a junior scientist on a Caribbean Island. By planning for the future, I can see how my efforts will benefit me in the long run, even if they don't seem significant now. I’ve stopped comparing myself to other people, because there’s no way I can be someone else that isn’t me. That has helped me find more worth within my work and myself.

Covey was urging me not to give up when that seemed to be the best option, and he literally saved my life.