My aspirations for my freshman year by Kesmyn

My aspirations for my freshman year by Kesmyn - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

As an incoming freshman at Penn State University Park, I’m stepping into a new chapter of life with high aspirations not just for academic success, but for personal growth and impact. One of my biggest goals is to build a strong foundation for my future in biomedical engineering by staying focused in my STEM courses, seeking academic support when needed, and developing habits that help me stay organized and motivated. I know how important this foundation is if I want to one day design medical technologies that improve lives and that’s exactly what I plan to do.
I’m especially looking forward to joining the STEM club at Penn State. I see it as a space where I can connect with like-minded students, share ideas, and collaborate on real-world projects that combine innovation and compassion. In the future, I hope to use what I learn to create prosthetics and orthodontic devices that improve quality of life, and design surgical machinery that helps doctors perform more accurate and safer procedures. My ultimate goal is to build technology that gives people a second chance whether it’s a child learning to walk again with an artificial limb, or a patient receiving better care through improved surgical tools.
Beyond academics, I want to stay involved in community service. Volunteering with the Jarell Christopher Seay Love and Laughter Foundation, where I helped provide school supplies to over 200 families, reminded me that small acts of kindness can create lasting change. That experience deepened my desire to use my skills to help others, not just in my local community, but globally through medical innovation.
I also plan to push myself out of my comfort zone. Transferring into a new high school in my senior year was one of the scariest yet most transformative experiences of my life. I went from feeling isolated and unsure to building strong relationships with my teachers, peers, and counselor people who saw me for who I was and supported my goals. That experience gave me the confidence to speak up, ask for help, and take initiative, and I plan to do the same at Penn State. Whether it’s through making friends in student orgs, attending office hours, or trying something completely new, I want to take advantage of every opportunity to grow.
Lastly, I’m committed to taking care of my mental and physical health. I know that success isn’t just about grades it’s about balance. Creating a routine that supports my well-being will help me show up as my best self, both academically and socially.
I may be new to campus, but I’ve learned that new environments often bring out the best in me. My aspirations are rooted in growth, service, and long-term purpose and I’m ready to make this year the beginning of something great.