Getting Serious About My Future by Brooke

Getting Serious About My Future by Brooke - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

Growing up is a constant in life. When I finally realized my life kept moving forward whether I wanted to hang onto my childhood or not, that was a turning point for me.

It was the beginning of my junior year of high school. I was not putting forth my full effort to get good grades and was an average student. I did a little above the bare minimum. I was not thinking "big picture" or looking down the road at what my future might look like if I just continued to put forth little effort in my studies. I play varsity volleyball and realized that I might like to play collegiately. Coming to that realization helped move my thoughts toward what the future me would look like. Realizing I'm growing up, not going to be living with my parents forever, possibly going away to college and playing a sport I love. This all got the wheels in my brain turning. School hasn't always been easy for me, but I know that when I put in the work, I will succeed.

From that moment on, I was looking ahead. Starting to make plans for my life, something that was new and exciting as I was understanding how growing up was going to happen to me as well. I started small by using my planner. I started tracking my assignment due dates and test schedules. Having a physical planner has been helpful for me to be able to stay on top of things. Not only has this helped in my academic life, but has helped in other aspects as well. I am able to stay on track of my work schedules easier, and I am able to plan my volleyball training, and hangouts with friends. This small addition to my life has made a large difference in my overall success these past two years. I've now been accepted and admitted to a great 4 year university and will be playing volleyball for them this fall. I'm so excited for what my future holds. I'm grateful I made changes and I am glad I got serious about my future when I did.