Altering Perspectives Lead To Growth by Abigail

Altering Perspectives Lead To Growth by Abigail - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

Growing up in a military family has shown me diversity, dedication and great work ethic. I have been employed since I was 14 between childcare, animal care, food service boat and with VyStar Credit Union. Going to college for nursing has been my dream for several years now. I just completed my senior year at West Nassau High School. This year I attended classes to be a Certified Nursing Assistant and I just received my license. I will also be completing my second year with the VyStar Student Internship Program which has been an amazing opportunity. Since being in high school and prior I have joined multiple clubs, all of which are dedicated to community service and leadership. I have dedicated over 1,300 volunteer hours among various community opportunities and plan to continue to serve during and beyond college. One of my most memorable volunteer services included a dental mission trip with Great Shape 1,000 smiles.

There are three major life happenings that I feel have shaped who I am today and who I plan to become in life. Although many steps along the way create my path, obstacles become large stepping stones that teach and guide my path to who I will become. First, I am a military dependent, which may sound great. Great benefits, great travel, but what you don’t see is that it does not come easily. Secondly, I am part of a blended family. My parents separated and divorced prior to me turning 4. Although they have done a great job managing co-parenting on their end this still is very difficult as a child and student over the years. And last, but certainly not least, I am a first generation student. Both of my parents had some college education and trade school, but neither of them were able to complete their degree and this weighs heavily on me. The most significant impact I received is from my family. My family has taught me Sacrifice, Commitment, Respect, Diversity and Honor.

     As a military dependent and part of a blended family I am so very grateful for the life lessons the military has taught me. I have personally learned patience, discipline, loss and advantages. I personally in my 17 years have been apart from one or more family members due to deployments, trainings, etc. more than 10 years. This has taught me patience, many days and nights of waiting on phone calls, emails, and if I were really lucky a special souvenir from different countries. I have been taught discipline with my chores, schooling and day to day life. My employers, coaches and teachers often say how reliable and dependable I am.

Over my years in school I have learned to alter, adapt and adjust with every teacher I have. Every teacher has different requirements, structures and guidelines to their subjects and teaching methods. I typically take the first several weeks to adapt to their teaching style to make sure I am prepared to excel in their classroom for the year.

During my freshman year I took Geometry Honors and he had a method of teaching math equations a certain way. It took me a few weeks but I mastered this way of thinking, it became a simple way of thinking to help me solve different equations over the year.

My sophomore and junior year I took Algebra 2 Honors and Pre-Calculus. I had a different teacher. Her methods and teaching was much different than I ever had in previous years. It took me quite a while to adapt to their teaching style different process that she wanted me to use. She taught me new and easier methods to solve math equations however it was very difficult to learn something new after being taught differently previously. This was an easier method so after I was able to alter my thought process her lessons became easier to master.

It may not come easily to change your thought process, adapt to something new or a different perspective however in many situations just hearing an alternative and seeing the result can change your perspective for the better. I have seen this with many positions inside of the leadership roles I have carried in my extracurricular clubs also. I ask my teams to try it my way for a few weeks, however after that time if there is a better solution please bring it to the table. Improvement doesn’t always happen by doing it the same way. Sometimes the same or a better result can come from different methods of thinking.