Learning to Drive Past Fear by Teni

Learning to Drive Past Fear by Teni - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

All my brain remembers is rain, bright lights, and a sudden impact, but my body remembers so much more. For most teenagers, learning to drive is a much-anticipated rite of passage, but for me, it was an anxiety-inducing experience. Although I could not wait to drive as a child, that all changed one night four years ago. As my mom drove my brother and me home from Thanksgiving dinner, an oncoming car collided with ours, forcing us into a ditch. My eyes welled with tears as airbags deployed, car alarms wailed, the car filled with smoke, and the door wedged shut. We escaped with some physical injuries, but the crash left lingering emotional trauma.
Recognizing that driving is a valuable life skill and all but required in my home state of Texas, I knew I would need to overcome my fear. I sought support from my parents and took the first simple step of obtaining my permit. The next step, however, was the most difficult task: actually driving a car. In my first attempts, my heart raced frantically as I felt my grip tighten around the wheel, tears streamed down my face, and I feared I would have a panic attack.
Over the next months, I steeled myself, taking gradual steps toward operating a vehicle. I was overcoming my fear and becoming excited by the possibility of independence. One fateful day, I took a deep breath before moving the gear from park to drive and pressing the accelerator. For the first time, I realized I was in control of the vehicle.
Today, I happily cruise down Texas highways. Had I not overcome my fear of driving, I would have missed out on participating in the coveted STARS Summer Research Program, located at a medical institution 35 miles away from my home. Through my struggle with driving, I learned how to conquer my fears and walk through life with confidence. As my educational journey continues, tackling driving has prepared me to overcome barriers in my STEM pursuits, as I plan to do as a future biomedical engineer and student.