Troubled Times by Sarah

Troubled Times by Sarah - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

Before I knew it my first year of college came tumbling down on me. As the next wave of Covid 19 cases was coming in, so were the weeks of endless exams. Online retention and motivation was extremely difficult for the thousands of students including myself. As I began to spiral down the hole of atychiphobia and valuing my mental health while keeping up with school and ways to financially support myself I was brought back to ease with the help of my Professor Mark and the joy he brought to class.

Professor Mark, lean, train obsessed, and quite easy going professor, held so much knowledge and advice. Whatever he spewed out during class was valuable whether it be about education, life choices, or how to be a decent human beginning. I still remember this clear as day when Professor Mark decided to have small break out rooms and discuss how we are doing and catch up with each student. Never in my life have I met a professor that truly valued their student and the time they had with them. Of course I was the last in the group to share how I was doing and hearing everyone's hardships and talking about mine was creating a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Professor Mark was very kind and encouraged all of us. From that day I saw him as a mentor and guide.

Professor Mark was a person who gave back my confidence, motivated me, and especially changed my perspective. To this day I can look back and realize how much he has influenced me to continue to be an ambitious and diligent person for myself and not the pressures of society.