"Being Muslim" - UCF Amissions Essay: How my culture has influenced who i am.

Being Muslim has affected my life tremendously. My religion has opened my eyes to the different aspects of life. Islam has taught me how to act and live as I do today.

As a Muslim I have certain obligations and duties to fulfill. However, doing these certain responsibilities require dedication and commitment. When I decided to wear the head scarf (Hijab) in fourth grade, I could not back out of wearing it, because I chose to wear it.

It may seem hard to others my age that, as a young Muslim I have certain requirements that I have to do for my religion. Many of my peers feel that because of my religion I am "missing out" on certain things that most kids do. But, what I have learned is that my religion has allowed my mind and actions to stay pure. It has also allowed me to have self-control to restrain from any unnecessary actions. Self-control allows me to decide and make my life the way I want it to be.

Throughout my life, I have learned that I don't have to worry about what others think about me because I am making all of the decisions to please my God and to become a better person. I have been influenced by my culture to become who I am today, and who I will become in the future. My culture has taught me that living is only for those who plan on living for themselves and not for others.

While using a religion as a main topic can be questionable as you don't know who will be reading your essay, I believe you used it very well and It's definitely a unique essay. Your points all tied nicely into the topic

Good Job!

Doing...-----> requires
However, doing these certain responsibilities requires dedication and commitment. When I decided to wear the head scarf (Hijab) in fourth grade, I could not back out of wearing it, because I had chosen to wear it.----- well you were only 10 years old back then. When I was 10 years old I was not allowed to make any important decisions, because I was only 10 years old...

The way you described the maintained self-control is very good! Thanks for sharing these insights...

The last sentence is unclear: My culture has taught me that living is only for those who plan on living for themselves and not for others.----- I don't understand the meaning. Can you write this in a different way?