The Physics of Perseverance by Aiden

The Physics of Perseverance by Aiden - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

When I received my class schedule for my last year of high school, I was shocked to see AP Physics 1. When putting in my preferred classes last year, I knew for sure I didn’t pick this subject. So, in physics, I was placed. For the first two weeks of school, we weren’t able to change our schedule, so I was truly stuck. The first thing my physics teacher said to us was, “Half of you will not remain here after two weeks, and I’m not judging because I’m sure you’ve heard how scary this class is. And I’m here to be blunt and tell you straight up that, yes, it's hard and a lot of work, but I promise that if you stick it out, it will be one of the most rewarding classes you will take this year.” I was still unsure, but since I already knew I’d go into college choosing engineering as my major, I remained open-minded about this opportunity. Over the course of the two weeks, he showed us what it’d be like; we did labs and took notes, and I started connecting with my fellow peers. By the end of the two weeks, I had made up my mind: I would continue in AP Physics.
The goal of the class was to prepare us for the AP test. My teacher put us straight to work. I had always been a straight-A student, so the coursework was a reality check. I was no longer getting A’s just by paying attention in class. I had to dedicate much of my after-school time to physics. Learning to balance the rest of my clubs, APs, and social life was a big adjustment. I had never had to put so much effort into a class, so it was taxing, but over time I was getting the hang of it. Plus, I was starting to see a difference in my comprehension of the subject the more I put into my studies. Physics also changed the way I approached problems; I would catch myself thinking differently or analyzing situations more logically. Time went by fast, and the Exam date was approaching. Compared to how confident I felt going into this course to now, the change was astronomical; I had done the work, and it was now going to be tested.
After the AP test, I never felt lighter. When scores came out, I saw that I had passed. I felt a wave of emotions, but more than anything, I felt grateful. Grateful that I didn’t let fear cloud my judgment, grateful that I believed in myself, and grateful to my teacher. In the end, he was right. I was finally done with the subject that had tested me more than any other so far, but as I look back on my experience, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This class forced me to face both intellectual and personal challenges, such as learning to break complex problems into manageable parts. It also helped me develop more systematic approaches to unfamiliar material, build my perseverance, and showed me the value of never giving up while adapting my strategies when attempts failed. I feel it was especially necessary with college on the horizon, as these skills will help me meet future academic demands. I also believe it strengthened my critical thinking skills and matured my outlook. Getting out of my comfort zone helped me grow, teaching me that trying something new doesn't always end badly.