Being thankful for the struggles that make a great college experience. by Jewel

Being thankful for the struggles that make a great college experience. by Jewel - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

I could say that I think my entire college experience is what I would be thankful for, but that's too easy. I will be most thankful for the beginning struggles of my college experience. It may seem quite odd as to why I would say that me going through beginning struggles is what I would be most thankful for, but I see it differently.
The beginning struggles will be my starting point. It will be the point at which I can build from. The point that enables me to grow not only as a person, but as a scholar, a sibling, a friend, and more importantly, a leader. These struggles will make me question myself, testing me, making sure that I am committed to my future and am willing to work for it. I know that in the beginning it will not be easy, it will be one of the biggest transitions of my life. With that being said, I am totally ready for it.
I feel that without these struggles, I will start off average. I will just be going with the flow, following everybody else. Not being able to challenge myself and push myself to my full capabilities. All because I won’t know where to start. My beginning struggles will give me the chance to screw up, but more importantly, give me the chance to learn from them. That’s all I could ever ask for, a chance. That is what I’m going to school for, to learn and be better than I ever was.
Crazy how I would be thankful for something that is completely out of my hands and could turn out any way possible. At the same time, how could I not be? Most people would be thankful for their parents guiding them to where they are today. Or to their mentors and teachers for preparing them for college, but my perspective is slightly different. Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful for my parents, my mentors and teachers. I am thankful for another 24 hours gifted to me. Although, I think bigger. I like to think deeper, or more within.
All in all, my beginning struggles will be what I am most thankful for. It will be what makes me want to do better. It will be what makes my college experience, the greatest years of my life.