(Any criticism is greatly appreciated, thank you)
The University values an educational environment that provides all members of the campus community with opportunities to grow and develop intellectually, personally, culturally and socially. In order to give us a more complete picture of you as an individual, please tell us about the particular life experiences, perspectives, talents, commitments and/or interests you will bring to our campus. In other words, how will your presence enrich our community?
When I look back at high school, it amazes me how many people throw away their education for the sake of trying to present an acceptable image to their peers, or even just from laziness. From excessive partying, to getting involved with gangs, even resorting to promiscuity, it is heartbreaking that so many people throw away this amazing gift. While growing up, I have discovered how incredibly hard it is to actually accept this gift and fully embrace a life of hard work, when one of laziness and instant, but valueless, pleasure is so easily accessible. But however tempting it may be, the stress that comes later in life due to this laziness far outweighs the stress one faces when he chooses to get his life in order at the first opportunity available.
It was towards the end of my junior year of high school when I had realized that an education is not only important for the sake of one's livelihood, but for the sake of one's existence as well. I had been working at a fast food restaurant for quite a while and one day found myself talking to my manager about how he was getting ready to go back to school. My manager was probably around fifty at this time and I discovered that he was surprisingly very similar to some of my peers at the time he was going to school. He ended up throwing away his chance at an education by getting into drugs and excessive partying, eventually believing that this party lifestyle would last forever, much like many of my fellow peers seem to think. His job was indeed able to get him this far, but he eventually grew to view the cycle that his life had become as meaningless. I have noticed that many people tend to party their youth away, only to regret it later while they are working dead end jobs, experiencing a newfound ambition to do something more stimulating with their life.
My career in fast food is only three years young, but I already know that my life will require something much more stimulating in order to feel happy. I am grateful for my job for allowing me to realize this and of course for aiding in fiscal comfort, but am most grateful for the work ethic I have developed. Although I had trouble balancing school and work at first, I feel I have been able to master handling the two simultaneously very well. My managers see me as one of their best employees and I am glad that any worries they may have during a shift fade away when they find out I will be there. They value that I not only get the job done, but make sure it is done in the best possible way. I have become a very strong worker; my need to keep myself busy has extended beyond my workplace and has enabled me to become a better student, resulting in my upward trend in grades. For example, my use of checklists in my workplace has inspired me to do the same for my studies. Doing this ensures that I go over every necessary piece and has made my studying much more efficient. I feel that all of the skills I have gotten from working are incredibly necessary to being a good student. My education is my primary job and I am committed to fulfilling this job in the most efficient way possible.
I have seen the consequences of not preparing for one's future in my manager and even in my parents. My mom is currently working a dead end job that she cannot stand, and although she has just recently gone back to school and received her bachelor's degree, she has not yet been able to put it to good use. My father is currently unemployed and takes whatever little jobs he can working on cars. By not planning ahead and carelessly indulging in meaningless pleasures, my parents have found themselves faced with a far more strenuous task. The simple pleasures I can enjoy now are not worth the consequential struggle that my life will become by trying to get it in order when it is too late. I feel that the pleasure of receiving an education is far greater than any other and am glad that I have realized this before it is too late. There have been times that the stress that this process brings makes it feel as if it were not worth it, but the value of being able to take a hold of my life and give it a purpose significantly outweighs any discomfort this stress is capable of causing. My commitment to gaining knowledge is very strong and will not be broken. I will not let any amount of stress discourage me from my goal and hope to participate with other like-minded individuals for the sake of acquiring knowledge together.
The University values an educational environment that provides all members of the campus community with opportunities to grow and develop intellectually, personally, culturally and socially. In order to give us a more complete picture of you as an individual, please tell us about the particular life experiences, perspectives, talents, commitments and/or interests you will bring to our campus. In other words, how will your presence enrich our community?
When I look back at high school, it amazes me how many people throw away their education for the sake of trying to present an acceptable image to their peers, or even just from laziness. From excessive partying, to getting involved with gangs, even resorting to promiscuity, it is heartbreaking that so many people throw away this amazing gift. While growing up, I have discovered how incredibly hard it is to actually accept this gift and fully embrace a life of hard work, when one of laziness and instant, but valueless, pleasure is so easily accessible. But however tempting it may be, the stress that comes later in life due to this laziness far outweighs the stress one faces when he chooses to get his life in order at the first opportunity available.
It was towards the end of my junior year of high school when I had realized that an education is not only important for the sake of one's livelihood, but for the sake of one's existence as well. I had been working at a fast food restaurant for quite a while and one day found myself talking to my manager about how he was getting ready to go back to school. My manager was probably around fifty at this time and I discovered that he was surprisingly very similar to some of my peers at the time he was going to school. He ended up throwing away his chance at an education by getting into drugs and excessive partying, eventually believing that this party lifestyle would last forever, much like many of my fellow peers seem to think. His job was indeed able to get him this far, but he eventually grew to view the cycle that his life had become as meaningless. I have noticed that many people tend to party their youth away, only to regret it later while they are working dead end jobs, experiencing a newfound ambition to do something more stimulating with their life.
My career in fast food is only three years young, but I already know that my life will require something much more stimulating in order to feel happy. I am grateful for my job for allowing me to realize this and of course for aiding in fiscal comfort, but am most grateful for the work ethic I have developed. Although I had trouble balancing school and work at first, I feel I have been able to master handling the two simultaneously very well. My managers see me as one of their best employees and I am glad that any worries they may have during a shift fade away when they find out I will be there. They value that I not only get the job done, but make sure it is done in the best possible way. I have become a very strong worker; my need to keep myself busy has extended beyond my workplace and has enabled me to become a better student, resulting in my upward trend in grades. For example, my use of checklists in my workplace has inspired me to do the same for my studies. Doing this ensures that I go over every necessary piece and has made my studying much more efficient. I feel that all of the skills I have gotten from working are incredibly necessary to being a good student. My education is my primary job and I am committed to fulfilling this job in the most efficient way possible.
I have seen the consequences of not preparing for one's future in my manager and even in my parents. My mom is currently working a dead end job that she cannot stand, and although she has just recently gone back to school and received her bachelor's degree, she has not yet been able to put it to good use. My father is currently unemployed and takes whatever little jobs he can working on cars. By not planning ahead and carelessly indulging in meaningless pleasures, my parents have found themselves faced with a far more strenuous task. The simple pleasures I can enjoy now are not worth the consequential struggle that my life will become by trying to get it in order when it is too late. I feel that the pleasure of receiving an education is far greater than any other and am glad that I have realized this before it is too late. There have been times that the stress that this process brings makes it feel as if it were not worth it, but the value of being able to take a hold of my life and give it a purpose significantly outweighs any discomfort this stress is capable of causing. My commitment to gaining knowledge is very strong and will not be broken. I will not let any amount of stress discourage me from my goal and hope to participate with other like-minded individuals for the sake of acquiring knowledge together.