I Believe by Abigail

I Believe by Abigail - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

Grade school. It is a time of fond memories for many people. I have some, but I mostly remember being told by teachers I would fail school and get retained. By fourth grade, I felt ashamed. My friends were top students, and it seemed like I was bringing them down. My family was disappointed in me and started to lose faith in my intellectual capabilities. However, with discipline and ambition I climbed the steps of the academic ladder. Today school is still a challenge, but one I embrace because it helps fuel my hunger for knowledge. I have learned so many things about myself in the journey from failure to being a top student.
Early school years were tough for me. Teacher after teacher put me down and conditioned me to accept my circumstances instead of helping with my obstacles. Math was hard. I was not learning as quickly as other kids. Exit tickets really drove this home. They made me feel slow just because I did not grasp a concept well. This happened year after year until the middle of fourth grade.
The beginning of fourth grade was more of the same – I failed tests because of my lack of understanding. At that point, I gave up on school but still felt a sense of shame. My parents urged me to make friends with the third graders due to my being on the verge of getting retained. It seemed like there was no way out for me, but my fourth-grade teacher did not agree. Mrs. Ross Johnson was a sweet lady who did not accept attitude or immaturity. She was blunt and straightforward but had a soft side for her students. One day she asked me to stay in class during recess. Mrs. Ross explained she saw potential in me and wanted me to eat lunch in the classroom to practice my math skills with my friends. This became a turning point in my life. It gave me hope. With time and patience, my math skills improved dramatically.
Middle school brought me to new heights. Whenever someone needed help with math, they came to me. This gave me a purpose in life and the belief anyone can improve. I was unstoppable. An advanced math course came my way, but so did Covid. At first, it was no big deal, but when months turned into a year, I developed lazy habits and became overconfident. My journey to success had become bumpy, and I struggled at the start of high school.
With persistence, I was eventually able to turn things around and was back on track with my work ethic and dedication to math. By junior year, my confidence was restored. College Algebra was a struggle at first, but because of my drive to succeed, I found my footing. I watched YouTube videos, asked my friends for explanations, and tried other problem-solving tactics that worked. I prevailed. This journey has taught me that anyone can improve if the effort is there. In the process, I have also discovered I love math and hope to use it in the future. I have also learned something about myself. I do NOT give up when I want something.
I will hold onto this lesson forever. My determination and belief that anyone can learn has brought me the realization that I want to pursue a career that allows me to assist others and help them grow. I hope to minor in education. Dedication is huge for me, so I need to create a challenge for myself. Whether it comes from majoring in biochemistry and taking rigorous classes to engage in science research or becoming a math teacher propelling the next generation to greatness, I expect college to be the engine that puts this into motion. I am determined and willing to prove my belief that anyone can master a skill with time, patience, and love.