Creating an Impact on the World by Marina

Creating an Impact on the World by Marina - October 2024 Scholarship Essay

A college degree is known to come with more career choices, resources, and higher earning potential. While these are all amazing benefits to obtaining a college degree, none of them earn the top place for me. I believe the internal, personal growth you experience throughout college, is the most valuable aspect of earning a college degree.
Everyone knows that college isn’t easy. It’s a whole different learning experience, and depending on where you go, an entirely different world. For those entering college directly after high school, just planning out a college career is exciting, but unfathomably scary at times. When actually attending college, there are hardships that they will inevitably have to face. Learning to be independent and support yourself is already a challenge enough, but add on a semester of school work, and it’s easy to get lost and feel burnt out quickly.
What can turn these hardships into positive experiences, is choosing to be open to new opportunities. Along the way, most people experience a change in what makes them passionate about life. Finding new things that create a spark inside you, meeting new people, and pursuing something that can have a positive impact on the world can only happen if you choose to put yourself out there. Maybe this includes joining clubs or taking part in traditions that are new, exciting experiences.
Within these new experiences, comes lessons learned and goals reached. At the end of your college career, along with the knowledge of the courses you have completed, comes a deeper understanding about yourself, and how you impact your community and the world around you. A college degree is a symbol for years of hard work, new connections, and self empowerment.