The Way Things Change by Jessica

The Way Things Change by Jessica - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

I remember sitting in class, staring at a page I had already read three times, and still not understanding it. Around me, people were moving on, turning pages, and taking notes, while I felt stuck. As someone with dyslexia and ADHD, moments like that weren’t rare they were my normal. School didn’t feel like a place to grow; it felt like a place where I was constantly trying to catch up.

For a long time, that feeling was intimidating enough to make me question whether I belonged in higher education at all.

What changed wasn’t the difficulty of the material, it was how I responded to it.

Instead of avoiding what challenged me, I started breaking it down. I began using structure where my mind felt scattered: timers, smaller goals, and active notetaking. I stopped pretending I understood things I didn’t and started asking questions. Most importantly, I learned to advocate for myself, to speak up, use available resources, and accept that needing support didn’t mean I was less capable.

Slowly, the same things that once overwhelmed me became manageable. Not easy, but manageable. And that difference changed everything. I no longer measure myself against how quickly others learn, but by how consistently I show up and improve.

That shift is why I want to become a social worker. I know what it feels like to struggle in systems that aren’t built for you, and I want to help others find their footing in those spaces. What once intimidated me now drives me—because I’ve learned that growth doesn’t come from ease, but from persistence.