Prompt: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
1 Tip that Matters💡🔆
Choosing the right challenge is crucial. If this prompt instantly brings to mind a significant challenge—one that is personal, authentic, and has deeply impacted your life—that's a sign it's the right choice. Avoid selecting a minor or generic challenge.
First, let's dive into how to structure this essay effectively.
Introduction : State the Challenge
Body Part 1: Detail the Challenge/Barrier
Body Part 2: How Did You Overcome
Body Part 3: Impact and Growth
Conclusion: Moving Forward
Since I started school, I have faced a challenge that has been my constant companion: learning disabilities. I grew up with dyslexia and dyscalculia. Spelling tests and math quizzes were preceded by sleepless nights and stomach upsets. While my classmates looked forward to these class events, I woke up with a fever every single exam morning.
These learning disabilities weren't just hurdles; they defined my school experience. I could not keep up with my classmates and felt defeated. At one point, I asked my parents if I could do homeschooling. It wasn't about the bad grades. It was about feeling capable and if I belonged in a school environment.
Realizing I needed help, my parents reached out to educational specialists and therapists. I met fellow students and realized that I wasn't the only one. Many had overcome what I was going through. I was exposed to personalized learning strategies and tools like text-to-speech software and specialized calculators. These tools became my allies, helping me manage my challenges and meet academic expectations.
One notable example of overcoming my learning challenges was in middle school, where dyslexia made reading comprehension difficult. With support, I began using audiobooks, which helped me understand the material better. This led to a significant improvement in my grades for language arts, with my scores increasing from C's to A's.
Even though I made progress, there were setbacks along the way. I had moments of doubt and frustration, feeling like my disabilities defined me more than my abilities. But each setback taught me something. I learned how to bounce back, keep going, and stand up for myself in school. Eventually, I overcame every single challenge encountered due to my disabilities.
Overcoming these challenges has had a big impact on me. Through hard work and support, I've not only gotten better at school but also discovered a passion for helping students with learning differences. My experiences have shaped my goals: I want to work in education policy, making sure all students get the support they need to succeed.
Looking ahead to college, I'm excited about joining a community that values diversity and inclusivity. At UC, I want to use what I've learned to advocate for educational fairness and support programs that help students with different learning needs.
The sound of my grandfather’s cane tapping against the walls woke me up one night. Grandpa Nguyen, once a disciplined army officer, now struggled to navigate our home due to his sudden blindness. After my grandmother unexpectedly returned to Vietnam, our family faced the challenge of caring for him without professional elder care. This situation tested our family and affected my academic journey.
When my grandmother left, we had to care for Grandpa Nguyen, who was adjusting to life without sight. His blindness disrupted his independence and daily routines, which made it hard for me to focus on my studies. This challenge required quick changes to our household and highlighted the lack of resources for elder care.
We adapted by installing safety equipment and setting up a daily care routine. I researched resources for the blind and sought advice from healthcare professionals. Balancing caregiving duties with schoolwork was tough, often leaving me tired and frustrated. There were many challenges, like helping Grandpa Nguyen move around and making our home safe for him.
Despite the difficulties, our efforts paid off as Grandpa Nguyen adjusted to his new reality. His spirits lifted, and he became more comfortable at home. I learned important lessons in resilience, time management, and problem-solving. This experience strengthened my commitment to my family and fueled my determination to make a positive impact beyond our home.
One of the most rewarding parts was using my interest in technology to help Grandpa Nguyen. I developed a mobile app for the blind, with features like computer vision for object recognition and image segmentation. Grandpa Nguyen uses the app sometimes to navigate, but it’s not a complete solution yet. Still, seeing him use the app, even a little, was very motivating for me.
Keeping up my grades during this time required careful planning and dedication. I stayed focused on my studies, using the challenges at home as motivation. This experience sparked my interest in technology and how it can improve healthcare and elder care.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to take courses in Mobile App Development and Healthcare Innovation at UC. I want to work with professors like Scott Klemmer from the Design Lab to develop apps that help people like my grandfather and other families facing similar challenges.
In conclusion, follow the outline of stating the challenge, detailing the challenge/barrier, describing the steps and strategies to overcome it, and reflecting on the impact and growth to create the first draft. Next, work upon the draft to build the essay. Finally, check whether you score more than 80 and pass all 5 checks on the essay coach.
