More Than a Science Class by Derek

More Than a Science Class by Derek - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

AP Environmental Science was a class that challenged me more than I expected, but it also helped me become a much better critical thinker. At the beginning of my junior year, I thought it would be similar to the science classes I had taken before, where I mainly had to memorize vocabulary and study facts for tests. It did not take long for me to realize it was completely different. Instead of memorizing information, I had to understand how different parts of the environment connected and affected one another. Topics like ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution, and climate change all connected with one another, so if I didn’t fully understand one concept, the next unit became even harder. Even though I studied as much as I could, I still struggled on quizzes and tests because I focused more on memorizing information than understanding how the concepts worked together. I had to learn to ask my teachers and classmates why something happened instead of simply remembering what happened. There were even times when I left class feeling frustrated, and I honestly wondered if I would ever fully understand the material.

After I failed my first test, I realized I needed to change the way I studied because I was spending so much time trying to memorize the material instead of actually understanding it. Once I recognized this, I started looking for different ways to study that helped me understand the concepts instead of simply remembering them. I started doing practice questions, watching YouTube videos that explained topics in different ways, and asking my teacher questions whenever I was confused instead of trying to solve everything on my own. I also started studying with some of my classmates, and discussing the material helped me understand why certain answers were correct instead of only memorizing them. As I continued using these study habits, I noticed I was making fewer mistakes and felt more confident whenever we started a new unit because I was learning how to think through problems instead of relying only on my memory.

One of the biggest lessons AP Environmental Science taught me was how to think carefully before coming to a conclusion. Many assignments required us to analyze graphs and explain how one environmental issue could affect another, so there was usually not one obvious answer. I had to look at the evidence and explain my reasoning instead of guessing. During labs, my group and I did not always get the results we expected, but instead of assuming we had done something wrong, we looked back at our observations and supported our conclusions with valid evidence. Those experiences taught me that critical thinking isn’t about finding the fastest answer, but about asking the right questions and examining the evidence.

As the year went on, I became much more confident because I stopped expecting myself to understand everything the first time. I realized that making mistakes was a part of learning, and every mistake helped me understand the material a little better. Instead of getting discouraged when I struggled with something, I learned to slow down and work through problems until they finally made sense. That mindset even carried over into my other classes because I became more patient and more willing to stick with difficult assignments instead of giving up when something did not make sense right away.

Looking back, I’m glad AP Environmental Science challenged me because it taught me lessons that went far beyond science. The class changed the way I approach problems because I learned to ask questions and think through situations before jumping to a conclusion. More importantly, it showed me that success doesn’t come from getting everything right the first time; it comes from being willing to learn from my mistakes and continue to improve. The critical thinking skills I developed in this class have made me a stronger student, and I know they will continue to help me in college and throughout my future career.