Undergraduate / FSU - latin words, I'm too limited to just three words.. [4]

For almost one hundred years, the Latin words, "Vires, Artes, Mores" have been the guiding philosophy behind Florida State University. Vires signifies strength of all kinds - moral, physical, and intellectual; Artes alludes to the beauty of intellectual pursuits as exemplified in skill, craft, or art; and Mores refers to character, custom, or tradition. Describe how one or more of the values embodied in these concepts are reflected in your life.

When reflecting over my life, in order to search for the effects of "Vires, Artes, Mores" that have been most apt in describing me, I find it quite strange trying to explain the kind of person I am when limited to just three words. Still, for nearly a hundred years, these words have guided students at Florida State University. For nearly all of my life these principles have guided me as well.

Vires, understood as strength, is something I have had to acquire in my life on my own. As a child of divorce and a latch key kid, I was often left without supervision. For most of the time I spent at home I was the only person in the house. Being alone all the time forced me to acquire a diligence that originated from my own desires. All of the things I had to do to get to where I am now were accomplished on my own. I feel like my strength is the ability to stand on my own. I can not remember a time when my mother or father said "you need to do your homework," or "you need to do well on your test." Perhaps if I had not been so obstinate in my desire to do well in class I would have heard such comments.

Artes, which I would define as the appreciation of ability, is something I've strived to do ever since my childhood. I would classify myself as a "wannabee" artist. I draw for fun and usually am able to create something people enjoy seeing. I also love to see art from other people. I am not bound by the restriction of vision to perceive art. Words, music, dreams, everything involving the human mind can be perceived and understood as art. Even in ones own suffering you can find appreciation for the simple human capability of being alive. If I had to pick that which I have most appreciated in my life however, I would say that, even if the nature of art is to be ubiquitous, the greatest appreciation I have gained was during my time in the choir, and during quiet nights at home teaching myself to play the guitar.

The last word, Mores, I would identify most closely with the word conformity. I would say that this word doesn't apply to me in the conventional sense. I know that the description given is that of "character," but this description implies that an individual other than yourself is that which defines your merit. I conform to the standards which benefit myself and society. I do not conform to rules that I see as detrimental to society. I am not the kind of person who runs a red light when no one is around. I am the person who watches for traffic and makes sure that all rules that are imposed upon society for a reason are followed. I understand that things which are obligatory are only this way because we all agree they must be.

Undergraduate / FU essay - people could just let their lives fall to piece [NEW]

My junior year of high school was a difficult time for me. I found very little hope for my future. My earlier high school years were spent working at the pace that was expected of me by my teachers. I always worked hard, but rarely ever did my best. I suppose I had been hoping that something would come along to give my life a purpose. When I became a junior, it seemed as though there was no reason to life and it felt like I was never going to find something to look forward to. I was naturally "gifted," as some of my teachers said but I "lacked motivation." I fell into a deep depression and eventually was admitted into a hospital for two weeks because of the concerns for my mental health. At this hospital, I found others who were in the same circumstances as me. Writing this essay is like reliving it all over again; my self-destructive nature, my apathetic view on life, everything that was leading me towards a very pathetic future. Growing up, when I would see someone who was lost in life, I always wondered how it was that people could just let their lives fall to pieces. By the time I was admitted into this hospital, I finally understood.

Fortunately for me, I am now on my way to finding a purpose. I refuse to let my life be something undesirable. I will rise to the occasion; I will make the best out of my life if I have to die trying. Every day at this hospital was another step towards realizing what I had to do. The price I had to pay for this realization, however, is that I had to drop out of my second semester. But I still have the opportunity to make up for it. I have reached an understanding now of what it takes to be successful in life. Before my junior year, I held back when doing anything in case I tried and failed. I see now that the only way to go the distance is to give everything you have. If you try and fail, then you try something else. If you try and succeed, then you can say you've met your goal. It isn't like my problems have all gone away, but I now have the resolve to stand and face them, rather than let them over take me. If I want something I'm going to reach out and grab it.

Going into college I feel that this knowledge is important. I have heard "horror stories" about college students getting in over their heads when they go to college. I will not be one of these stories. I feel that with my past experiences if there is something I need to do I will accomplish it. The problem with experience is that unless you yourself have experienced something, you can't understand it. All the knowledgeable people in the world speaking to you won't make a difference. I will draw on my past experiences to form a better future for myself. There is no challenge that I can not meet.

(I appologize for making this difficult earlier)