College Essay

Prompt: In the space provided, please write a concise narrative in which you describe a meaningful event, experience or accomplishment in your life and how it will affect your college experience or your contribution to the UF campus community. You may want to reflect on your ideas about student responsibility, academic integrity, campus citizenship or a call to service.

Derek Frauendorfer

Ms. Morrell

English IV

30 September 2012

            During my early high school years, I greatly appreciated my free time at home.  After a long day at school, there was nothing I wanted to do more than grab a bowl of Goldfish and play video games.  I would sink into the couch, and never wanted to move more than my thumbs.  I felt like I had earned time off because I was very near the top of my class academically.  However, my parents made it very clear that they thought this was not a good use of my time.  They would often remind me that colleges were looking for more than good grades, but I could not grasp the concept and I tuned them out. 

            I continued my after-school tradition until the beginning of my junior year, when our varsity soccer team needed a new goalie.  The goalie from last year was still playing football and therefore was committed to finishing the season.  My friends approached me about filling the position of goalie, because they had known I played soccer in middle school.  But I politely declined the offer – claiming I was too busy with band and AP classes.  Later that night, though, I began to think about how my parents might actually stop harassing me if I joined the soccer team.  I knew it was a huge commitment, but I decided to do it, even though I knew I would have to sacrifice much of my beloved free time. 

            I ended up playing goalie in every single game that season, even when last year’s goalie came back from football.  After finishing the season, I looked back and realized that I was glad I played soccer for my school.  I had helped my teammates in their time of need, and playing soccer again helped me to get into better shape.  It made my former favorite pastime (eating and playing video games on the couch) seem completely insignificant.  I finally realized that time is valuable and I should not continue to waste it.  It turned out my parents weren’t insane for expecting me to do better things with my time.  Who knew?

            During my senior year, I am/will be playing three varsity sports.  I am an executive member of my school’s student government, and a member of two academic clubs.  I am still playing in the band, I am an executive member of my school’s National Honor Society program, and my grades are good.  These are all time-consuming activities, but I regret not being this active in my school earlier in my high school career.  If I get accepted to the University of Florida, I intend to use my time well and be a very active member of the campus community.