Why Bridge?

I have a strong work ethic. When I know I need to get something done I don't just do it to get it over with, but instead, I work to my full potential. Going to a College Prep school, I was never able to be creative within my homework or papers. I knew I worked hard during all four years, but I never did well on tests. One trait I know I had during my four years of high school was creativity.

Being creative with my papers and homework allows me to enjoy my work. But, my teachers continually wanted more. Like Mark from Lost In Place, my teachers never gave me the acceptance of being creative and different than the rest the students. However, I also bring the community respect and manners. I will always treat everyone with respect and say my please and thank yous. Growing up I always had a different perspective upon every assignment and always seemed to have great ideas and thoughts.

My junior year of high school was very difficult for me. My teachers never talked to each other about the schedule for upcoming tests, quizzes, and projects. At least four out of the five day week I would have multiple tests, quizzes, and projects. I got the work done, but being creative I realized I needed more time. This continued to happen, and I tried to change my work ethic, but that didn't help. I worked ahead, and wrote my papers as soon as I got the assignments. But still, I was maintaining a low GPA. The system of my school was to teach you how college was going to be like. But, I never thought that college would give you hours to study, create projects, and write papers. For example, it was near the end of the second term of school before spring break and my teacher went off her schedule. She sneaked a pop test on the last day to try to boost our GPA, but as the class later found out, it lowered our GPA. Like I said before, I work hard. But, what Columbia saw was the GPA, not my effort.

After a long day at school and knowing I have a paper due the next day, I never worked on it right away. I pushed it off till the last hour. I came home and slept, than woke up at 11pm realizing I have to write my paper. But, I seemed to get by with B's on papers. I think what truly got me here was sports. By this I mean I paid more attention to the sports I was participating in rather than my school work. I was very athletic during high school always loving to spend time outside or on the basketball court. Also, my coaches always demanded we be on time everyday and attend every single practice. If we were to tell our coach that we can't make a game or practice because of school, we would get scolded at, or even worse, kicked off the team. Spending time with my teammates seemed more important than school. Like I said having a 8 hour day of school than having 3-5 hours more added on, to than drive 30 minutes home; its a long day. I found it hard to do work after practices so I would try to get my work done during school, but I would do it just to do it, not to understand the work. I'm enrolled in this program because I wasn't able to maintain a busy schedule. That's why I believe that the bridge program has really helped me to write a good paper, while also keeping a social life. I learned a lot and cannot wait to carry these traits I've learned and apply them to the regular school year!