Academic, Social And Emotional Progress: A Sample Essay For Inspiration & Mimicking

This semester at the University of South Alabama has been very enlightening for me, as I have overcome many obstacles and now feel much more mature and prepared both academically and emotionally. I decided to apply to this University for several reasons, including its rich history considering that its origin goes back to the 1800s. The main factor that drove me to this school is the highly recognized quality of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, for which the University of Alabama is consistently ranked among the best 50 public universities in the US.
After much deliberation, as I was torn between several possible majors, I decided to pursue Civil Engineering as a professional path. My goal is to eventually work for an engineering consulting firm, where I can participate in large-scale projects and be involved in the complex development stages as a structure engineer, as well as supervise construction works. After I have gained significant experience, I intend to continue my education and obtain a Master of Science in Civil Engineering Degree and then join the work field once again. At some point later in my life, I would certainly enjoy becoming a professor as a way to impart the knowledge gained throughout my years as a practicing engineer and conduct research in my fields of interest.
This semester, though deeply rewarding, proved to be much more challenging than I expected; at times it was overwhelming and I was forced to exploit my full potential in order to achieve my goals. I was very confident regarding the high-school to university transition, and I must admit I did not worry much about the difficulty of my classes and the effort it would take me to pass them with high grades. My main weakness regarding academics was the fact that my study habits were weak and lacked constancy, and they fell short of my classes’ requirements. Moreover, as the subjects I previously study were simple, I did not need to review or practice much, whereas university courses required much more dedication. This was very difficult, as I was not used to a tight schedule and, in the beginning of the semester, my time management strategy was extremely ineffective and my sleep time suffered. Therefore, I was constantly tired, got sick often and did not do too well on my first assignments and exams.
A strength I discovered about myself is that I am very perseverant. I promised myself I would rise up to the University’s standards and that I would overcome these obstacles. I radically changed my study methods and schedule, which are now much more efficient and allow me to review and comprehend more material in less time. In consequence, a couple of weeks after the semester began, my grades improved and I began to take more advantage of the opportunities USA has to offer. Emotionally, this change was highly beneficial for me, as there were times when I believed I was not smart or dedicated enough for this particular major, and I often felt discouraged. However, I now understand that Engineering is difficult, challenging and requires my full dedication; the difficulties I faced were due to my approach, and I am convinced I will one day become a well prepared and skilled Civil Engineer, as I have the potential required to achieve this.
The University of South Alabama has impulsed my social life, as I have had the opportunity to meet with people of completely disparate backgrounds and personalities. The increased interaction with new people has given me a perspective on subjects I was not familiar with, such as cultural issues or political problems in their countries’ of precedence, which I believe has made me more mature and well-rounded. In conclusion, this first semester as a Civil Engineering student pushed to become a better version of myself, and I trust the changes I made will help me face the challenges that will surely come in the upcoming semesters.