My struggles in High School by Tanner

My struggles in High School by Tanner - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

When I graduate this coming May, I want to attend ONU for Biology- Life Science Licensure so that I can teach, as I get closer to finishing my final year of high school I begin to think of all the classes I ever took and the best, and worst, parts of them. As a senior in high school, I have seen and been through a lot. I’ve always been one of the “top” students in my grade, but in my sophomore year, I struggled in my CCP Public Speaking class, (this class started a little after my brother died). I was struggling to find motivation to do any work, but luckily I had two of my good friends in that class, who helped me through it. If there was something I didn’t know how to do they would help me and I got better and better until I could do the class by myself. I finished the class with a B+, one of the lowest grades I’ve ever gotten, but if it wasn’t for my friends helping me overcome my issues, I would’ve had a much lower grade. Although, junior year might have been worse.
I had always heard people say Junior year is the worst, and it’s the hardest year of high school, but I never really thought anything of it. Until I got there. My Junior year was the hardest year of school ever. While still coping with the unsuspected death of my brother, I had a packed schedule. I had a total of 4 college classes, and I believe 5 “regular” classes. One of these included band, which took up way more time than I ever expected it to. On top of all of those classes I was working 4 days a week, I was in 4 or 5 clubs, and I was, and currently am, in 3 sports, (each in a different season). I wanted to give up so much, but I’m competitive, and so are my friends. I overcame this issue because my friends and I wanted to see who could get first place in our class. We ended the year with me in third my other friend in second and our shared friend in first. If I didn’t have friends who were good in school, and competitive I don’t think I would be doing as well in school as I am now. I am so grateful for my friends and the dedication they have given me to continue my education journey. Even though my friends and I have stopped talking so much we still compete to see who can get first, I know it won’t be me, but I am forever grateful for them and I will be glad to see my friends announced Valedictorian and/or Salutatorian.