Colored Blocks by Allison

Colored Blocks by Allison - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

Every new year, I reset the colors on my laptop — from the wallpaper to the widgets. For me, the change in color scheme is a reset to my intentions for the year. Yet the most meaningful shift happens on my Google Calendar. Learning to organize my time through color-coding was my first real step toward managing my academic and personal commitments in high school. Tracking assignment deadlines, tests, and activities allowed me to allocate my time intentionally rather than reactively. Since adopting this habit, I’ve become far more productive, squeezing the most out of each study session because I know exactly what lies ahead in my day.
Although I don’t keep a journal, the layered blocks of color on my calendar have become a record of who I am. Seeing social events in bright pink, research projects in pastel orange, and volunteering in lime green helps me visualize the balance of my life. These blocks are more than reminders — they are building pieces of my identity. They reveal what I value, where I invest my energy, and how I grow.
Most prominently, my academic commitments fill the majority of the screen. Rather than viewing this as pressure, I see it as a reflection of passion. My calendar does more than organize my schedule — it maps my priorities and reminds me that success often begins with small, consistent habits that bring clarity to how we spend our time.