College Essay Example
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!
sur·vive
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 sisters 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 father, 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
To survive and thrive
College!
The time has finally come; the Goal at the end of the rainbow. I survived!
sur·vive
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 sisters 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 father, 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