Fixing What Ain't Broke by Jazmin

Fixing What Ain't Broke by Jazmin - August 2026 Scholarship Essay

A time when I had to learn from feedback was when a teacher told me that I needed to improve my time management. I usually waited until the last minute to complete assignments because I felt like I worked better under pressure. However, my English teacher noticed that although I was turning in my work, the results were often sloppy. She suggested that I start working on assignments earlier and break larger tasks into smaller steps.

At first I was taken aback by the suggestion. I was still getting work done on time, so I figured that my teacher was meddling in a problem that didn't have to be addressed (an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset if I'd ever seen one). But after looking at my grades and thinking about how stressed I felt before deadlines, I realized that the feedback was correct. I decided to change my habits by writing down important due dates and setting smaller goals for myself throughout the week. Instead of trying to finish everything in one night, I started completing a little bit each day.

This change made a big difference. It relieved a lot of my stress and gave me more time to review my work before turning it in. The quality of my assignments improved because I was not rushing.

This experience taught me that feedback can help me recognize habits that I may not notice on my own. I learned that being willing to change my approach is an important part of personal growth, and that even if my way of doing things is adequate, it may not be the best solution.