Stillness into Motion by Makailey

Stillness into Motion by Makailey - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

Mathematics was once a straight line, a direct answer, an irrefutable fact. It's neat, ordered arrangement provided an easy, predictible path; the mixture of letters and integers on the paper the perfect point and the perfect angle. But, by walking into AP Calculus, those points become curves; the simple, straightforward derivative rapidly turns into another dimension, how can one reverse rate of change to attain integral?

Why does the area under a curve, require infinitely small strips?

The function that had once been such a simple matter of following the proper directions turns into an analytical experience which required more than just rote memorization: trusting in mathematical intuition. I have never considered myself to be particularly math-driven, but up until now the principles have always been simple, and that of "plug-it-in and get an answer" have sufficed. Checking your answer even helped solidify your answer in your brain and eliminate any doubt.

Calculus; however, takes numbers and letters to the next level: it takes the straight line and turns it into an dynamic graph and a complex integration. I, at first, was overwhelmed by how fast, and on how many levels this subject worked, the familiar laws all intertwined, and all rules scattered to the wind. By the end however, I came to realize there is no one, correct path to get from one part to another, one must examine the graph as a whole: analyze the scenario, analyze the behavior of the function, and the unknown variable at hand. Once I looked at the problem past "what is known" and began to figure out what had to be known, I was able to learn the subject more effectively, which while no longer simply just an easier method of solving than remembering a particular rule, allowed me to use my head more.

In fact, calculus has so many benefits that the advantages cannot be confined to a graphing calculator; one can learn to accept vagueness and be not so intimidated by an obstacle but rather more determined to dissect the question presented, and understand why. In life the solution to a situation often isn't the direct answer on a graph, or by going straight down one road and the right direction is often achieved through shifting perspectives, to an analytical one from a rote memorization. Through shifting my way of learning, I not only gained another class to my GPA, I gained an mental resilience which I plan on using as I transition into the university classroom and will undoubtedly encounter other obstacles as challenging and rewarding as AP Calculus.