More Than Just a Math Lesson by Braxton

More Than Just a Math Lesson by Braxton - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

Feeling frustrated, distracted, overwhelmed, and wondering why everyone else seemed to understand while I was still trying to catch up; this was my reality every time I opened my math book.

Math had always been my hardest subject. Even before sixth grade, I struggled with math, and felt bad seeing it come easily to others. When school moved online during the pandemic, my struggles became even harder to manage. Learning through a screen while trying to stay focused felt impossible at times. I started questioning whether I was just not a good student. Looking back, I realize the challenge was never that I was incapable of learning. I just had to discover how I learned best.

During online school, staying focused was one of my biggest struggles. Instead of paying attention during class, I often found myself drawing, making art, or playing games on my iPad. Because math was already difficult for me, missing important lessons caused me to fall behind. When I returned to in-person school, I realized I had gaps in my understanding of concepts that were taught during sixth grade. It was frustrating because I knew I could learn, but I needed to find a better way to approach my challenges. Later that year, I was diagnosed with mild ADHD. Suddenly, many things started to make sense. I finally understood why focusing had always been difficult, but I also realized that my ADHD did not decide what I was capable of achieving. Instead of giving up, I started looking for strategies that worked for me.

I started making to-do lists, breaking assignments into smaller steps, and prioritizing my responsibilities. I learned to recognize when I was becoming distracted and redirect my attention back to my work. Over time, these habits became natural. This process strengthened my critical thinking because I learned how to identify problems, understand what was causing them, and find solutions instead of letting frustration stop me. Around the same time, I entered my school’s oratorical contest. My mom encouraged me to participate because she had competed in speech contests when she was younger. Through practicing my speech, I discovered a talent for public speaking. I was surprised when I won first place against sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Although I froze during the next round, I still finished my speech and learned that one mistake does not erase all of my progress.

Today, math is still a challenge, but I no longer see struggles as proof that I cannot succeed. Learning how to work with my ADHD changed the way I approach problems. Through Christ, I know I was created with a purpose, and every challenge has helped shape who I am. Sixth grade taught me that critical thinking is not about always having the answer. It is about having the willingness to adapt, learn, and keep trying until you find a way forward.