On my way to class, I caught a glimpse of the 36 scurrying ahead. I quickened my pace to reach her but was hindered by the crowd. After failing to push through, I decided to just walk with a fellow 30 who happened to be close by. As I entered the class, I glanced around the room and noticed the diverse group of scores surrounding me. As a student, I felt obligated to judge my intelligence and abilities based on my standardized test scores. I always felt the need to always compare myself with other students. After the ACT, my score was significantly lower than what I expected. It was tough. I valued my self-worth based on that one number. They say you should not let scores define you. I failed to realize the importance of those words until a moment of realization that …show more content…
My intense desire to expand my knowledge led me to enroll in the Honors Neuroscience program at Northwestern University, This opportunity allowed me to learn more about neuroscience through a hands-on approach. One day I found myself drilling a hole in a live cockroach’s head and meticulously inserting wires into its brain so that I could mechanically manipulate its motor functions from my phone. The challenging coursework and intriguing labs increased my inclination towards science and learning. One day, I had the opportunity to hold the brain during a demonstration. I was chosen to hold the brain of a sheep during the instructor’s demonstration. When I first picked up the specimen, I felt excitement rush through me, a feeling when a surge of dopamine runs through the brain. It was a moment that had a profound impact on the way I perceived school and learning. I began to fathom the importance of learning rather than superficial things such as test scores and GPA. For me, it was my moment of enlightenment. It was the moment of realization that I had limited myself from reaching my full potential by letting scores dictate my