The Habit That Built Me by Dylainee

The Habit That Built Me by Dylainee - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

A small habit that has made the biggest difference in my academic and personal success is something I never expected to appreciate: my need to stay busy. It started as a way to manage the anxiety I grew up with, anxiety that shaped nearly every part of my life. To keep myself grounded, I built routines. I scheduled everything. I filled every hour. What looked like “silly little habits” to others became the structure that allowed me to thrive.
If my days aren’t full, my mind spirals. But when I’m busy, I feel steady, focused, and capable. That simple routine, keeping my schedule packed, has pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined. It keeps me organized academically, helps me maintain strong relationships, and gives me the confidence to pursue the future I want.
I want to become a veterinarian, so I pour my time into gaining experience. I foster cats, work at a veterinary clinic, and shadow veterinarians whenever I can. My free time is spent at a pet hospital or a cat rescue, caring for mothers and kittens in critical condition, administering vaccines, implanting microchips, overseeing adoptions, and practicing TNR to reduce suffering in my community. I’ve bottle‑fed newborns, revived feral kittens on their last breaths, and watched terrified cats slowly learn to trust again. Every life saved strengthens my commitment to this field and reminds me why staying busy matters.
My habit of filling my schedule doesn’t stop with animals. At school, I’m involved in more than ten clubs, helped found one, and organize events and fundraisers that support people in need, from clothing drives to creating mats for the homeless. I don’t wait for change; I build it. My anxiety, the very thing I once resented, has become the engine behind my compassion and ambition.
There are moments when I hate how tightly I cling to structure. I don’t always love the pressure I put on myself or the way I plan everything down to the minute. But I’ve learned to see the other side of it too. Without these habits, I wouldn’t hold myself to such high standards. I wouldn’t push myself to make new friends, take on new responsibilities, or expand my knowledge. My anxiety has shaped me into someone who shows up, consistently, wholeheartedly, and with purpose.
The habit that changed my life isn’t glamorous. It’s simple: I stay busy. But in that routine, I’ve found direction, resilience, and meaning. It has made me a better student, a better friend, a better caretaker, and ultimately, a better version of myself. My anxiety doesn’t define me, but the habits I built because of it absolutely do. They are the reason I am who I am today, and the reason I will continue growing into the person I want to become.