My Room, My Reset Button by KaMyah

My Room, My Reset Button by KaMyah - February 2026 Scholarship Essay

One small habit that has made a big difference in both my academic and personal life is practicing self-affirmations at the end of the day. High school can feel overwhelming. Between assignments, expectations, and trying to keep up with everything, there are moments when I feel defeated that I am falling behind. Instead of letting that feeling follow me into the next day, I reset.

When I get home, I go into my room and treat it like a sanctuary. I light an aromatherapy candle, sit quietly, and take a few minutes to breathe. Then I say simple affirmations to myself. I remind myself that everything is okay, that one bad day does not define me, and that problems are usually smaller than they feel in the moment. It sounds small, but it changes my mindset.

Before I started this routine, stress would build up and carry into school the next day. I would overthink mistakes and lose confidence in my abilities. Now, I’m able to mentally close the day and start fresh. Because of that, I participate more in class, focus better on assignments, and handle challenges without shutting down.

This habit has taught me resilience. Success is not just about working harder, but about managing your thoughts so you can keep going. By taking a few minutes each night to reset my mind, I have learned how to stay steady even when life feels chaotic. That stability has helped me grow both academically and personally.