1. If there has been some obstacle or "bump in the road," in your academic or personal life, please explain the circumstances.
At the young, impressionable age of eleven I began noticing symptoms of a mental disorder that would soon manifest itself in every single area of my life and take a toll on my mental health. It was the summer before sixth grade and I was rearranging the model cars on the shelves in my room when I began to notice that no matter what direction, order, or position I put them in, they just didn't feel quite right. This feeling made me extremely anxious, and in hindsight, I realize that this event was the onset of Obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that would come to define me as a person and cause me considerable emotional and academic distress throughout my teenage years.
While OCD put me at a considerable disadvantage as even the simplest of tasks proved to be infinitely more complicated and irrational thoughts constantly plagued my mind, I vowed to myself about halfway through high school to not let the disorder control my life. I did not want OCD to continue to hinder my progress as a person, both academically and socially. Though the process was irritating and anguishing at times, through behavioral therapy and a new found self-discipline I managed to contain many of the symptoms of OCD and minimize its effects to a bearable level.
Through these attempts to rid myself of OCD, I have forged a work ethic that I believe cannot be easily broken and I have discovered more of who I am as a person, enabling me to lead a more productive, successful life.
2. What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that would allow you to contribute to the UCF community?
I sincerely enjoy working hard and the satisfaction that results from working hard. Staying up late into the twilight hours finishing up homework or studying has proven no problem for me in the past, and it is this determination to succeed that will allow me to contribute to the UCF community the most. American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it." This mindset of determination and unmitigated work ethic is what I intend to bring to UCF in order to benefit the entire community and succeed.
I am also musically inclined, having participated in my school orchestra since sixth grade. Though getting better at playing violin is not my main goal, I enjoy it as a hobby and plan to continue performing in college through the UCF orchestra program.
At the young, impressionable age of eleven I began noticing symptoms of a mental disorder that would soon manifest itself in every single area of my life and take a toll on my mental health. It was the summer before sixth grade and I was rearranging the model cars on the shelves in my room when I began to notice that no matter what direction, order, or position I put them in, they just didn't feel quite right. This feeling made me extremely anxious, and in hindsight, I realize that this event was the onset of Obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition that would come to define me as a person and cause me considerable emotional and academic distress throughout my teenage years.
While OCD put me at a considerable disadvantage as even the simplest of tasks proved to be infinitely more complicated and irrational thoughts constantly plagued my mind, I vowed to myself about halfway through high school to not let the disorder control my life. I did not want OCD to continue to hinder my progress as a person, both academically and socially. Though the process was irritating and anguishing at times, through behavioral therapy and a new found self-discipline I managed to contain many of the symptoms of OCD and minimize its effects to a bearable level.
Through these attempts to rid myself of OCD, I have forged a work ethic that I believe cannot be easily broken and I have discovered more of who I am as a person, enabling me to lead a more productive, successful life.
2. What qualities or unique characteristics do you possess that would allow you to contribute to the UCF community?
I sincerely enjoy working hard and the satisfaction that results from working hard. Staying up late into the twilight hours finishing up homework or studying has proven no problem for me in the past, and it is this determination to succeed that will allow me to contribute to the UCF community the most. American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it." This mindset of determination and unmitigated work ethic is what I intend to bring to UCF in order to benefit the entire community and succeed.
I am also musically inclined, having participated in my school orchestra since sixth grade. Though getting better at playing violin is not my main goal, I enjoy it as a hobby and plan to continue performing in college through the UCF orchestra program.