Please write an essay (250 words minimum) on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below. This personal essay helps us to become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.
In order to properly prepare for a successful future, I was always told to bury my face in books all day. That seemed like a sensible strategy to my immigrant Vietnamese parents, but having the mindset of a first generation Vietnamese American meant that I would need more than just books to help me succeed. I had always loved playing sports with my older sister and friends, but I was unaware of the lessons that one can learn while having fun at the same time. Luckily, it was not long until I was given the chance to join a team sport and start gaining lessons books could never teach.
One day, during lunch in sixth grade, my best friend shared very exciting information about a girls' basketball team. After filling my ears with words, such as teammates, friendships, games, and winning together, I was anxious and ready to join. I dragged my mother with me to the team meeting that night and made sure that I sat next to my best friend. During the meeting, my mother seemed to understand my excitement, but she began to grow more and more uneasy as the coach gave information about the team fees and the cost of basketballs shoes. By the time we reached the car after the meeting, my mother shook her head and told me to choose another sport. She could not afford to buy me basketball shoes.
Although I was very disappointed about not being able to play with my best friend, it was short-lived. My older sister told me to forget about basketball and to pick up her stick sport. She was the first person to introduce me to field hockey. From my observations, I could see that the sport was just like ice hockey but on the field. It also looked painful; my sister would come home with purple and blue bruises on her legs.
Before attending my first practice, I needed to get a stick. My mom drove me to Sports Authority and I remember picking out a one that was light blue and navy with flowers on it. After a couple practices, everything came naturally to me. I made new friends and the coach was very impressed by my skills and diligence.
After six years of playing field hockey, I understand my responsibilities and loyalty to my team. Besides working to improve my own skills, I often assist younger players so that no one on the team gets left behind. My passion and stubbornness has driven me to condition in hot, humid weather and risk being sick while playing in the coldest of temperatures just so that I could put a small plastic ball into a goal. While working towards my dreams, I pass on and share the knowledge, wisdom, and experience of a sport I love with others.
Joining and devoting my time into field hockey has been the best investment. I will cherish what I have learned and continue to play in college. Field hockey has prepared me to be competitive, organized and work together which is perfect for nursing.
