What is a small habit or routine that has made a big difference in your academic or personal success? by K'LYNNE

What is a small habit or routine that has made a big difference in your academic or personal success? by K'LYNNE - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

What is a small habit or routine that has made a big difference in your academic or personal success?

By K’Lyne Garrett

The year 2013, I was a freshman in high school where I commenced a very strong, unproductive habit. I started smoking pot. By my sophomore year in 2014 I was smoking every hour of everyday, skipping school, and being very rebellious. Mentally in that moment I felt it was the easiest way to avoid my family, school, and inner problems. I didn’t realize how much of an effect it had on me until the year 2024. This was more than a habit, it transformed into my lifestyle, my routine.
Making this change was and still is a very hard process. Searching for things to replace this habit, mind redirection, and low moments are all apart of recovery. The longest I’ve went with out smoking consistently is 3 months, which I am proud of considering how much and long I have smoked. I also have gone two months previous to the last relapse. Currently I have not smoked this year 2026. My last relapse was awful; I started failing my classes. I remember my junior year in high school I couldn’t smoke and that was my best academic year. Same affect as right now I am doing better academically in my classes. Personally, this decision is best though it feels so unfamiliar. Some days I want to go back to it but then I think about my future plans and understand that I can’t help anyone unless I help myself. This may be a small habit to most but to me this is a giant. I will overcome.