My New Love for English by Sadie

My New Love for English by Sadie - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

English has never been my strong subject in school. I was always the stem kid, striving in math, but never in reading. As I entered my first day of AP Lang, I was as scared as a turtle when startled in the streets. Immediately, my teacher saw the fear I had of being in an AP English class. I was never confident in my comprehension abilities as it is on a high school level, moreover a college level. However, Ms Hjelm, my AP English teacher, saw my hesitation, and built my confidence skills up which has made a huge impact on my life.

I remember expressing to her my concerns of being in the class and how my test scores would not get me an A in her class, which is what I always pushed to achieve. We had very intellectual conversations about the course, grades, confidence, and more. I have never met a teacher so caring and passionate in my entire life. Ms. Hjelm shared her opinions on grades as “they don’t showcase your capabilities.” She reminded me that she wants me to grow from the class rather focus on being perfect and attaining an A.

I went forth with this attitude and took a step back from pressuring myself to achieve an A. Instead, I took every lesson taught to heart whether reading The Things They Carried and participating in meaningful discussions, or doing MC workshops to get better at comprehension. Going into the AP exam, I remember saying “It doesn’t matter if I don’t pass. I got so much more out of this class than a number grade.” I never would’ve had this attitude if it wasn’t for Ms. Hjelm. Now having my confidence and being prepared mentality, I have been able to attend each of my classes focusing on the value of the class and not the grade I receive.