Scholarship / "Perseverance" - Essay for scholarship application by Nanyang Technology School (NTU) in Singapore [5]

This is an essay required to apply the scholarship at the stated university. The submission deadline is near, so I am in urgent need for a response and feedback of the essay. The prompt demands applicants to write about his values and beliefs, with relevant examples. And I chose to write on one value-----"Perseverance" and I gave one of my vital life experience as a support (only one). I hope it would work and impress the admission department.

b.Describe, in less than 300 words, the values and beliefs you hold strongly to. Please provide examples of how you have demonstrated these in your actions.

"Never ever ever ever ever give up."

~Winston Churchill

"Perseverance" is a positive value which I firmly held onto. Once I set my sight on the one thing which I really wanted to achieve, "perseverance" would be the fuel and wings which drives and propels me towards realizing my dreams and goals.

At the age of fourteen, not knowing the exact reason, I am interested in playing the piano out of the blue. The crave for deeper knowledge in music is insurmountable. Before I knew it, I found myself signing up for piano lessons.

Nevertheless, the starting was never easy.

My fingers are stiff. They do not acquire the agility and flexibility which fingers of a great pianist would. The finger-coordination was horrible and reading music resembles a form of brain-torture.

Alas! Nothing similar to music was produced, but despicable noises which serves as an ear-sore. I started to doubt my passion for music, and the thought of giving up is virtually tangible.

"Should I give up?" Time and again, this demoralizing question haunted me.

No! Don't give up, I thought.

It dawned upon me that "perseverance" is just a mere choice of "stop" or "go". It would be an easy choice to make, but what you choose is a life-changing phenomenon. And I would and will always choose the later option.

Now, I am proud to say that I am an accomplished Grade-8 Pianist. I am glad that I persevered, and I will definitely continue to do so.

In any aspects of life, in order to realize your dreams and goals, as well as, to reach the pinnacle of success and excellence, "perseverance" plays a quintessential role, and I am sure not to forgo this noble value no matter how daunting and disheartening the circumstances is.