College Essay – Willem E. Servaes To survive and thrive College! The time has finally come; the Goal at the end of the rainbow. I survived! survive 1. To remain alive or in existence. 2. To carry on despite hardships or trauma; persevere. 3. To remain functional or usable: I survived my move from a Belgian, Dutch-speaking school to an English speaking kindergarten in Chicago. I survived my move from Chicago, to Maryland and ultimately I survived my long years in a Catholic elementary and middle school in the heart of Bethesda. I survived – well almost- God willing! four years of Gonzaga High School in the worst neighborhood of Washington D. C. I survived swim teams, basketball teams, baseball teams, one football team and four years of Rugby with the leading Rugby team in the country. I survived multiple concussions, a broken wrist, a broken clavicle and bruises too much to count – visible and invisible. I survived skiing black slopes on my first ski trip ever. I survived trips to Brussels, Paris and Munich and visiting so many churches and museums that I can’t remember in which city I saw what…
I survived parents divorcing, mothers going off the deep-end, older isters and half sisters going through their own surviving and suffering of “life as it is”… I survived learning how to drive with my father, in my father’s brand new car, with stick shift! I survived too much alcohol in my freshman year and other silly illegal things that kids can think of. I survived some horrible teachers and coaches. But I also thrived. thrive 1 . To make steady progress; prosper. 2. To grow vigorously; flourish [Middle English thriven, from Old Norse thrfask, reflexive of thrfa, to seize. I thrived because of the care and love from wonderful teachers and coaches, my ather, family and a great Catholic community. I thrived because I learned I was good at making friends, and – more importantly – at picking out good ones. I thrived because I quickly adopted an approach of seizing every opportunity to have fun, to learn what I could and to make the best of things. Like a diver, I took my mistakes up to the surface, studied them for a bit, learned from them and then let them sink back to the bottom of the past. I thrived because my father taught me early on that everything I possess has been given to me (1 Corinthians 4:7).
I thrived as an athlete, year, and still was able to play varsity for the Gonzaga Rugby team. I thrived as a student – although it might not be immediately apparent when looking at my scores – because I chose to appreciate good teachers and interesting subjects that spoke to me and I enjoyed being in class and learning from interesting adults. I thrived as a member of the Gonzaga community, where I will graduate with many friends for life, whose families treat me as one of their own. fu???ture 1. The indefinite time yet to come 2. Something that will happen in time to come .
A prospective or expected condition, especially one considered with regard to growth, advancement, or development Now I face my future at College. Studying, learning, experiencing, partying, exploring, growing, advancing, developing, thriving. I really consider College as an opportunity to be creative in your own development. Not only in the composition of the classes you want to follow, and the direction you want to take your career, but also in the class room itself and in what you take from it. I do not want another four years of survival and “making the best of it”. I want this to be thriving only!
This is why I am interested in [West Virginia University]: my visit and research expressed a mentality that spoke to whom I am. Passionate, but relaxed; Strong Academics but with room for learning outside the classroom; Attention to physical well being with the excellent sporting facilities and its athletics achievements. [Finally, I like the atmosphere of being at a big university attracting thousands of students from all over the country, in which you can easily get lost, with at the same time, the small college and small village feel, where you can find your wn niche and home.
I believe that, if accepted, I would be a great addition to the already diverse student body at I am not the high achieveing academic type who will help finding the cure for cancer or invent artificial gravity. I will however, bring my international background, my creativity, my optimism, my social talents and my desire to learn. And ultimately, for what it is worth, I will bring my survival skills, not only so I can thrive myself, but so I can genuinely contribute to the thriving of those who cross my path and walk my path with me, inside and outside the classroom.
