I have the desire to transfer to Texas A&M in the fall of 2010 from a college in New York. please read my essay and give personal feedback, critiques, and suggestions please. thanks!
A past not repeated
A philosopher and poet by the name of George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." While in history classes, during both my high school and college courses, I have heard this phrase repeated many times in reference to important historic events such as the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Not only have I heard this phrase in history classes, but also in my own personal life from people like my mother. As many times as I have heard this quote, in its many variations, it always has the same message behind it, learn from the mistakes of the past and do everything possible to make sure that they don't happen again.
Because of my deep interest in history I have would like to pursue a degree in history at your university, Texas A&M. The History Department at Texas A&M stresses the importance of reading, writing and research skills in their program. I too feel that these things are important in the life of any student, including myself. With the combination of these three skills we the students learn to develop and perfect our critical thinking skills and eventually become more effective in the work place and ultimately in the world that we live in. Not only would I like to learn about the past through history at your university, but I would also like to help up the next generation of children to also learn history. I feel that it is important for youth to learn about history; not only their history, but the history of other people and of the world that they live in. If a child has no previous knowledge of things that happened in the past they will not have the proper knowledge and equipment to make improvements for a better future. For this very reason I would like to also obtain a teaching certificate so that I may be certified to teach history in secondary schools in Texas. I would like to get a teaching certificate in secondary education because it is an area that is lacking teachers. Many people feel as though teaching the secondary sector would be a major challenge because the children are older and many times have more attitude and behavioral problems. Although this may be true in some cases, it is not in all. Even when attitude and behavioral problems are involved I am the type of person that will just find a way to turn the situation around and use it as a good learning experience for both myself and the student. I feel that everyone deserves a fair chance to get the best education possible, and when I become a history teacher that is exactly what I plan to give my students to the best of my abilities.
Ever since childhood I was taught by my mom to always welcome a challenge. I never understood why she would tell me that, but in the past year since I started college I have come to understand what she meant. The reason I should always welcome a challenge is because with a challenge always comes a new experience to learn something new. I feel that attending Texas A&M and obtaining a history degree and a teaching certificate will be a challenge. It may be a challenge, but a very beneficial, rewarding and welcomed challenge that will help to shape me into a better person for myself and for society. Personally, I would like to take the advice of the philosopher and poet George Santayana and learn from history so that I will not repeat it, and with the help of Texas A&M I will be able to do so.
so what do you think?! :)
A past not repeated
A philosopher and poet by the name of George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." While in history classes, during both my high school and college courses, I have heard this phrase repeated many times in reference to important historic events such as the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Not only have I heard this phrase in history classes, but also in my own personal life from people like my mother. As many times as I have heard this quote, in its many variations, it always has the same message behind it, learn from the mistakes of the past and do everything possible to make sure that they don't happen again.
Because of my deep interest in history I have would like to pursue a degree in history at your university, Texas A&M. The History Department at Texas A&M stresses the importance of reading, writing and research skills in their program. I too feel that these things are important in the life of any student, including myself. With the combination of these three skills we the students learn to develop and perfect our critical thinking skills and eventually become more effective in the work place and ultimately in the world that we live in. Not only would I like to learn about the past through history at your university, but I would also like to help up the next generation of children to also learn history. I feel that it is important for youth to learn about history; not only their history, but the history of other people and of the world that they live in. If a child has no previous knowledge of things that happened in the past they will not have the proper knowledge and equipment to make improvements for a better future. For this very reason I would like to also obtain a teaching certificate so that I may be certified to teach history in secondary schools in Texas. I would like to get a teaching certificate in secondary education because it is an area that is lacking teachers. Many people feel as though teaching the secondary sector would be a major challenge because the children are older and many times have more attitude and behavioral problems. Although this may be true in some cases, it is not in all. Even when attitude and behavioral problems are involved I am the type of person that will just find a way to turn the situation around and use it as a good learning experience for both myself and the student. I feel that everyone deserves a fair chance to get the best education possible, and when I become a history teacher that is exactly what I plan to give my students to the best of my abilities.
Ever since childhood I was taught by my mom to always welcome a challenge. I never understood why she would tell me that, but in the past year since I started college I have come to understand what she meant. The reason I should always welcome a challenge is because with a challenge always comes a new experience to learn something new. I feel that attending Texas A&M and obtaining a history degree and a teaching certificate will be a challenge. It may be a challenge, but a very beneficial, rewarding and welcomed challenge that will help to shape me into a better person for myself and for society. Personally, I would like to take the advice of the philosopher and poet George Santayana and learn from history so that I will not repeat it, and with the help of Texas A&M I will be able to do so.
so what do you think?! :)
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