Scholarships, stress, and success

By Anthony Flowers

General Reporter

Getting a scholarship is seen by most as one of the most difficult things to achieve after high school. A scholarship is money for college that doesn’t have to be repaid. According to an article titled “How do Scholarships Work” from the University of Northern Iowa, over $46 billion in scholarships is awarded annually in the U.S. 

Anthony Flowers searches for scholarships on his Chromebook. Photo by Bella Velasquez.

 Some students see college as a big opportunity, while others see it as a big scam. For most people, it costs way too much and may not be truly worth it. It’s best to get as much knowledge as possible before searching for a college.

“I wish I knew more about scholarships and post-secondary opportunities. Being a first-generation meant I didn't have the path lined out for me for college,” Ms. Shaikh said.

The problem with scholarships is that they are competitive to get. A student has to show how smart they are by getting a very high GPA and doing things that don’t just involve school, like sports and clubs. More ways to get them are by utilizing free online databases, talking with high school counselors, checking college financial aid websites, etc.

“I used to struggle with the fact that some of my peers had things given to them so easily in life. I always felt like I had to struggle, work multiple jobs, and put in work just to have the same opportunities that were easily handed,” Ms. Shaikh said. 

A lot of schools and colleges look past just grades to see how students may stand out in other unique ways. It is smart to join extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs. Also, doing things like community service looks good to colleges. Students feel like they have to be perfect in order to have a chance in these big universities, which could pressure them a lot in the long run.

“Find a college that is cheaper but will also accept all your dual credit classes. When I was in college, I got out of two classes by having a dual credit class.” said Ms. Shaikh.

Students are also pressured to write college essays and to get recommendation letters to improve their chances of getting in. After that, some become discouraged when they are rejected by colleges. For students who don’t have enough resources for college, a scholarship can be life-changing.

“Seeing my mother go through some personal struggles was hard for me. I kept myself busy with positive activities like church, work, and extracurricular activities to keep my mind occupied. I also stay in church, and it helped to keep my mind focused as well,” student counselor Ms. Drummond said. 

Students also need a lot of help and advice to successfully get into a good college. Without knowing that much, it will be a very difficult process. People like teachers and parents can help a lot with this. You have to have a good amount of confidence in order to ask for help from adults, because it can be stressful and make you nervous.

“I used to struggle with asking for help. I didn't want to feel incompetent, but I realized that asking questions is very important. I had to get out of my thoughts and not worry about what others thought in order to be successful.” - Ms. Drummond said

It is also good to have inspiration and a good influence when trying to accomplish these types of goals. Most look up to family members and people who work their dream job. When looking up to someone, it can be clearer what your future will be like. 

“My brothers are 10 and 12 years older than me, and they were in college by the time I was eight years old. Seeing them complete high school and go off to college was very influential to me. I wanted to follow in their footsteps and make my family proud.” - said Ms. Drummond.

A lot of students prepare for college years before applying. Studying, doing extracurricular activities, and possibly getting a job. Some get part-time jobs to help their family, which can make it more stressful to keep up with school and get where they want to.

“I have always had the mindset to continue to push through hard circumstances because there is always something to learn from that experience. I have often had to remind myself that even in the most difficult circumstances, nothing lasts forever. I can truly say that I have learned from any challenging experience that I have faced,” Ms. Drummond said.