Spring 2024 Rising Stars Scholarship Winner

Makayla Blackwell

Makayla’s essay submission perfectly represents a student who has gone above and beyond in their quest to succeed in college. Makayla bounced back better than ever after getting off to a rocky start in her first years at university. She is now a high-achieving student passionate about her studies, with stellar grades that reflect her hard work. We are so proud of Makayla and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in the future.

Read Makayla’s Essay:

I graduated from high school in May of 2022 with a cumulative GPA of 3.62 and immediately enrolled in classes at a local community college during the following summer. The curriculum in community college was a bit more demanding than high school, but I was able to manage it. Since I had taken dual credit classes in high school, it gave me an advantage in knowing what to expect. I was authorized to enroll in 20 credit hours during the fall term and at the end of the semester, I finished with a 3.59 cumulative GPA. The credits I accumulated from the summer and fall terms at the community college, along with the dual credit I earned from high school, made it possible for me to transfer to Southern Methodist University as a sophomore, just eight months after graduating high school. Additionally, this put me on track to graduate college a full semester before most of the individuals in my high school graduating class. I transferred to Southern Methodist University in January of 2023, and I was aware of the fact that the curriculum would be much more rigorous than what I had experienced in community college. In my first semester at university, I was severely unprepared for the change of pace and my GPA suffered dramatically. Despite utilizing on-campus tutoring, speaking with my professors during office hours, and participating in study groups for my more challenging classes, my efforts were not enough. I found it difficult to simultaneously balance a social life while studying outside of class. By the end of the spring term, I had finished my first semester at university with an unsavory 2.22 cumulative GPA. I reflected on my high school history teacher's anecdote, as he used to discuss how he faced a similar situation during his first year in college. However, I never imagined I would end up in the same position. I felt heartbroken and my spirit was crushed. I suffered from imposter syndrome and felt like I didn't belong at this university. I tried to convince myself that my chosen major was simply too difficult and that I was not nearly as intelligent as my peers. I even considered switching my major from mechanical engineering to something less demanding. After sulking over my lack of success, I remembered my original goals for attending college: to become the first person in my family to graduate from college, to be the first engineer in my family, and to prove to myself that I can overcome challenges. To begin working toward achieving these goals, I decided to take summer classes following the spring semester. In May 2023, I took one class and was able to raise my GPA to 2.36. While this wasn't enough to completely lift my spirits, I felt motivated to keep going. Over the following months, I took two more classes in June and July, and managed to bring my GPA up to 2.59. I was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After the fall semester, I had taken 18 credit hours and brought my cumulative GPA up to 2.78. While I had hoped for a higher GPA, I was proud of the progress I had made. It wasn't easy, but I was determined to succeed. I am currently entering my junior year, and my ultimate goal is to complete the upcoming spring semester with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. I believe that this goal is achievable because I have learned from my past mistakes and have implemented changes in how I manage my time and workload. I have established a consistent schedule that includes every assignment for each of my classes, along with its due date. Furthermore, I have set aside time in my day to study in the library or student center. I have also discovered online resources that cater more effectively to my learning style. However, the most important aspect of my progress is taking time to focus on myself when required, such as enjoying my favorite snack or taking a mental break by watching a movie. One of the most significant lessons that I have learned throughout my academic journey is not to let fear of inadequacy take over. It is crucial to prioritize one’s mental health, especially when in high-stress environments. After completing my first semester at SMU, I was shocked by my GPA and brutally disappointed in myself. I started to mentally battle with myself up, telling myself that I wasn't good enough to be at this university. However, I soon realized that I was only hurting myself and that if I wanted to see a change, I needed to become that change. I sought the company of other intelligent and dedicated individuals who gave me a fresh outlook on my situation. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing oneself to others and feeling selfdoubt. That is why it is important to remember that everyone has their own story and path in life, which I try to remind myself of every day. Through my academic perseverance, I have developed several valuable skills that will undoubtedly benefit me in my future career. One of these skills is the ability to identify problems and make necessary adjustments to find the most effective solution. Additionally, being organized and managing tasks efficiently is crucial in virtually every career field. These two skills have provided me with a strong foundation in college, and I continue to build on them as I strive to become a better version of myself