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Essay on Student Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Student Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Student Life

Introduction.

Student life is the most crucial phase in a person’s life. It is a period of learning, development, and growth.

Importance of Student Life

This stage shapes the future of individuals. Students learn discipline, punctuality, and develop their personalities.

Challenges in Student Life

Students face various challenges like academic pressure, time management, and peer pressure. Overcoming these is part of the journey.

Despite the challenges, student life is beautiful. It’s a time of exploration, making friends, and creating lifelong memories.

250 Words Essay on Student Life

Student life is a vital stage in one’s life, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a phase of learning, exploration, and growth. It is during this time that individuals begin to shape their future, develop their personalities, and form lifelong relationships.

Academic Pursuits

The primary focus of student life is academics. This is the time when students delve into their subjects of interest, deepening their understanding and developing critical thinking skills. The knowledge gained during this period forms the foundation for their future careers.

Extracurricular Activities

However, student life is not all about academics. Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in shaping a student’s personality, imparting skills like teamwork, leadership, and time management. Participating in clubs, sports, and other activities helps students discover their interests and talents beyond the classroom.

Challenges and Opportunities

Student life also brings its share of challenges, including stress and time management issues. However, these challenges offer opportunities for personal growth. Overcoming them helps students develop resilience and adaptability, qualities that are valuable in the real world.

In conclusion, student life is a transformative phase, filled with academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, challenges, and opportunities. It is a time of self-discovery and personal growth, shaping individuals into well-rounded adults, ready to face the world.

500 Words Essay on Student Life

Student life is a critical phase in one’s life, often regarded as the foundation for future success. This period is a blend of learning, experiencing, and shaping oneself in preparation for the challenges of the real world.

The Essence of Student Life

Student life is not just about academic learning; it is also about personal development. During this period, students learn to balance their time between studies, co-curricular activities, and social obligations. They learn to prioritize, make decisions, and take responsibility for their actions. This phase equips students with essential life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.

Academics form a significant part of student life. It is during this time that students delve into various subjects, explore their interests, and lay the groundwork for their future career paths. The learning environment encourages students to question, analyze, and synthesize information, fostering intellectual growth. The pursuit of knowledge in this phase is not just about scoring grades but understanding and applying concepts.

Student life is also about exploring interests beyond the classroom. Extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, and clubs provide students with opportunities to discover their passions and talents. These activities contribute to the holistic development of students, instilling in them qualities like teamwork, leadership, and discipline.

Social Interactions

Challenges and coping mechanisms.

Student life is not devoid of challenges. Students often grapple with academic pressure, social anxieties, and the stress of planning their future. However, these challenges can be transformative, teaching resilience and adaptability. Coping mechanisms such as seeking help, practicing mindfulness, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help students manage these stressors effectively.

In conclusion, student life is a crucial phase that shapes an individual’s character and future. It is a period of exploration, learning, and growth. Students must seize this time to develop a well-rounded personality, equipped with knowledge, skills, and values to navigate the complexities of life successfully.

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the life of a student essay

Student Life Essay

If there is anything that we would miss later, it would be our good old student life. One cannot deny that student life was one of the most glorious periods. Usually, student life is filled with studies, homework and exams. But even then, it is to this phase that we long to return to. Ever wondered why? We get lots of knowledge and information about different things in the world as well as grow physically, emotionally and socially.

Each of us remembers our student life differently. This student life essay in English will be useful for your kids to understand the importance of student life. It will help them to identify what they like the most about the school through this essay on student life.

Childhood Memories Essay

Experience of Student Life

I recall the day when I wore my uniform and took my new bag and bottle to my first day at school. A few days earlier, there was great excitement in the family as we bought books and a lunchbox to carry to my school. All these things were new to me, and unaware of what the life of a student would be like, I, too, joined the excitement of my parents.

After I began going to school for a few days, I realised that student life is packed with many fun activities and learning, which I enjoyed thoroughly. It was during my student life that I made many friends in class. I was always happy to share my snacks with them, and I got to taste various types of delicacies and savouries as they gave a portion of their food to me. Besides, we played hide and seek during the intervals, coloured the books and learned the alphabet together.

I also liked going for one-day picnics and tours, and this part of student life was where I got to have maximum joy. While my student life was packed with endless activities and games, there were also stages of learning where I was able to grow as a person. I understood important virtues like discipline, punctuality, hard work and integrity as I studied and tried to score good marks. It is our student life that shapes our dreams where we can plan and secure our future.

I have often heard my parents saying that they miss their student life, and I guess it is because it is the only time when we can be innocent and carefree and take life as it is. I know that I wouldn’t get this student life, nor will I be able to go back to being a student once I become independent and start living my life.

Moral of the Essay

Student life is a crucial aspect as it determines how we would grow up as individuals. This essay on student life will help you understand its many benefits. We must also consider ourselves lucky for acquiring education as many do not know what education or student life is. So, recount the incidents of your student life through this student life essay in English.

You can find more essays similar to the student life essay on BYJU’S website. Also, explore other kid-friendly learning resources on our website.

What do you mean by student life?

If you are a student who either goes to a school or college, then the daily activities you indulge in as a student constitutes your student life. You will be spending time with your teachers and friends by learning and playing.

Is student life important?

We cannot overlook the importance of student life as it is a period of new learning. We begin to understand many things, and if we have a balanced student life, then we will be able to achieve success in life.

Is it difficult to lead a student life?

Student life is a pleasant experience where we gather knowledge and make friends. But it is also a phase where we face reality and experience difficult situations. Nevertheless, student life makes you braver, responsible and emotionally well-receptive.

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TheNextSkill

Essay On Student Life For Students

“Student life is the best life”. You might have listened to this line many times but how much truth lies in this statement varies from person to person. As human beings, we have to live our lives in many sections and perceive different experiences.

Student life is one part of life for most people except those who did not get a chance to visit schools. We experience different things during our student lives. Some of the experiences become lifelong memories while some become horrible remembering.

Introduction

It is said that “student life is The BEST life” because It is a period of pure joy and happiness. It is because the mind of a student is free from the worries and cares of grown-up life. In this period, the character of the student is formed. So, this life is also important for students to develop themselves as good citizen.

In student life, the prior duty of a student is to learn and gain knowledge. He must do all his work on time maintaining punctuality and discipline. He needs to remember that if he becomes successful in his student life, he will become capable of shining in any sphere of life.

Essay on Student Life- Introduction

Why Is Student Life Best?

Student life is quite enjoyable because there is less struggle. Students need to wake up early and prepare for going to school. Morning is an exciting part of student life because one needs to rush to the bus stop to catch the bus. This teaches us the importance of impatience in life.

Another thing that makes student life more exciting is forgetting to complete our homework on time. That moment seems horrible when the teacher asks for homework and we did not complete it. We feel the true fear of being punished.

Student life lets us introduce ourselves to our favourite subject, teacher, games, best friend and many other things. We do a lot of mischievous activities but when examination time comes, all our wickedness gets a full stop.

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The role of Friend Circle!

Student life is the time in life when we understand the importance of friends and friendship. This is the period when start making friends. When like-minded students make a group of friends, it is called the friend circle. True friends understand you well and help you with your need.

I have also made a friend circle in which there are five people. We all understand one another very well. We stand together in every situation of life. We share both joy and sorrow. My friends always helped me to improve my skills and always motivated me to do extraordinary in life. Whatever Identity I have today is all because of my friend circle.

There is a saying that you are an average person with five people surrounding you. So, It becomes very crucial to choose your friend circle wisely. Your friend circle can make or break your identity in society.

How does Student Life influence us?

Student life influences students very deeply. Their character and personality depend on this. This is why moral science holds a special place in the education system. Apart from schooling, they learn a lot of skills that help them to boost their productivity and confidence.

Student life is important for a country as well. This is because students are the future generations of a country. So, they are considered the foundation of the future of a country. If you need to make a building stand, you must make a strong foundation otherwise it will collapse.

To sum it up, student life is beginning to experience joy, struggle, discipline, devotion, confidence, fear, motivation, respect etc. Student life can make or ruin the personality of a student because it is the most crucial time for building character and developing a good personality. Apart from that, Students are the future of the country. So every student must try to become the best citizen in all respect so that his/her country can proud.

Essay on Student Life- Conclusion

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The Significance of Student Life: A Journey of Learning and Growth

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Introduction

Discipline is an important virtue of the student.

writer-Charlotte

The Value of Time: A Pivotal Factor in Student Life

The best time in life is student life, conclusion: nurturing personal and academic growth.

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The Significance of Student Life: A Journey of Learning and Growth essay

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  • Student Writing Contest

Follow YES! For Teachers

Eight brilliant student essays on what matters most in life.

Read winning essays from our spring 2019 student writing contest.

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For the spring 2019 student writing contest, we invited students to read the YES! article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age” by Nancy Hill. Like the author, students interviewed someone significantly older than them about the three things that matter most in life. Students then wrote about what they learned, and about how their interviewees’ answers compare to their own top priorities.

The Winners

From the hundreds of essays written, these eight were chosen as winners. Be sure to read the author’s response to the essay winners and the literary gems that caught our eye. Plus, we share an essay from teacher Charles Sanderson, who also responded to the writing prompt.

Middle School Winner: Rory Leyva

High School Winner:  Praethong Klomsum

University Winner:  Emily Greenbaum

Powerful Voice Winner: Amanda Schwaben

Powerful Voice Winner: Antonia Mills

Powerful Voice Winner:  Isaac Ziemba

Powerful Voice Winner: Lily Hersch

“Tell It Like It Is” Interview Winner: Jonas Buckner

From the Author: Response to Student Winners

Literary Gems

From A Teacher: Charles Sanderson

From the Author: Response to Charles Sanderson

Middle School Winner

Village Home Education Resource Center, Portland, Ore.

the life of a student essay

The Lessons Of Mortality 

“As I’ve aged, things that are more personal to me have become somewhat less important. Perhaps I’ve become less self-centered with the awareness of mortality, how short one person’s life is.” This is how my 72-year-old grandma believes her values have changed over the course of her life. Even though I am only 12 years old, I know my life won’t last forever, and someday I, too, will reflect on my past decisions. We were all born to exist and eventually die, so we have evolved to value things in the context of mortality.

One of the ways I feel most alive is when I play roller derby. I started playing for the Rose City Rollers Juniors two years ago, and this year, I made the Rosebud All-Stars travel team. Roller derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport. The physicality and intense training make me feel in control of and present in my body.

My roller derby team is like a second family to me. Adolescence is complicated. We understand each other in ways no one else can. I love my friends more than I love almost anything else. My family would have been higher on my list a few years ago, but as I’ve aged it has been important to make my own social connections.

Music led me to roller derby.  I started out jam skating at the roller rink. Jam skating is all about feeling the music. It integrates gymnastics, breakdancing, figure skating, and modern dance with R & B and hip hop music. When I was younger, I once lay down in the DJ booth at the roller rink and was lulled to sleep by the drawl of wheels rolling in rhythm and people talking about the things they came there to escape. Sometimes, I go up on the roof of my house at night to listen to music and feel the wind rustle my hair. These unique sensations make me feel safe like nothing else ever has.

My grandma tells me, “Being close with family and friends is the most important thing because I haven’t

the life of a student essay

always had that.” When my grandma was two years old, her father died. Her mother became depressed and moved around a lot, which made it hard for my grandma to make friends. Once my grandma went to college, she made lots of friends. She met my grandfather, Joaquin Leyva when she was working as a park ranger and he was a surfer. They bought two acres of land on the edge of a redwood forest and had a son and a daughter. My grandma created a stable family that was missing throughout her early life.

My grandma is motivated to maintain good health so she can be there for her family. I can relate because I have to be fit and strong for my team. Since she lost my grandfather to cancer, she realizes how lucky she is to have a functional body and no life-threatening illnesses. My grandma tries to eat well and exercise, but she still struggles with depression. Over time, she has learned that reaching out to others is essential to her emotional wellbeing.  

Caring for the earth is also a priority for my grandma I’ve been lucky to learn from my grandma. She’s taught me how to hunt for fossils in the desert and find shells on the beach. Although my grandma grew up with no access to the wilderness, she admired the green open areas of urban cemeteries. In college, she studied geology and hiked in the High Sierras. For years, she’s been an advocate for conserving wildlife habitat and open spaces.

Our priorities may seem different, but it all comes down to basic human needs. We all desire a purpose, strive to be happy, and need to be loved. Like Nancy Hill says in the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” it can be hard to decipher what is important in life. I believe that the constant search for satisfaction and meaning is the only thing everyone has in common. We all want to know what matters, and we walk around this confusing world trying to find it. The lessons I’ve learned from my grandma about forging connections, caring for my body, and getting out in the world inspire me to live my life my way before it’s gone.

Rory Leyva is a seventh-grader from Portland, Oregon. Rory skates for the Rosebuds All-Stars roller derby team. She loves listening to music and hanging out with her friends.

High School Winner

Praethong Klomsum

  Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

the life of a student essay

Time Only Moves Forward

Sandra Hernandez gazed at the tiny house while her mother’s gentle hands caressed her shoulders. It wasn’t much, especially for a family of five. This was 1960, she was 17, and her family had just moved to Culver City.

Flash forward to 2019. Sandra sits in a rocking chair, knitting a blanket for her latest grandchild, in the same living room. Sandra remembers working hard to feed her eight children. She took many different jobs before settling behind the cash register at a Japanese restaurant called Magos. “It was a struggle, and my husband Augustine, was planning to join the military at that time, too.”

In the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” author Nancy Hill states that one of the most important things is “…connecting with others in general, but in particular with those who have lived long lives.” Sandra feels similarly. It’s been hard for Sandra to keep in contact with her family, which leaves her downhearted some days. “It’s important to maintain that connection you have with your family, not just next-door neighbors you talk to once a month.”

Despite her age, Sandra is a daring woman. Taking risks is important to her, and she’ll try anything—from skydiving to hiking. Sandra has some regrets from the past, but nowadays, she doesn’t wonder about the “would have, could have, should haves.” She just goes for it with a smile.

Sandra thought harder about her last important thing, the blue and green blanket now finished and covering

the life of a student essay

her lap. “I’ve definitely lived a longer life than most, and maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I hope I can see the day my great-grandchildren are born.” She’s laughing, but her eyes look beyond what’s in front of her. Maybe she is reminiscing about the day she held her son for the first time or thinking of her grandchildren becoming parents. I thank her for her time and she waves it off, offering me a styrofoam cup of lemonade before I head for the bus station.

The bus is sparsely filled. A voice in my head reminds me to finish my 10-page history research paper before spring break. I take a window seat and pull out my phone and earbuds. My playlist is already on shuffle, and I push away thoughts of that dreaded paper. Music has been a constant in my life—from singing my lungs out in kindergarten to Barbie’s “I Need To Know,” to jamming out to Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” in sixth grade, to BTS’s “Intro: Never Mind” comforting me when I’m at my lowest. Music is my magic shop, a place where I can trade away my fears for calm.

I’ve always been afraid of doing something wrong—not finishing my homework or getting a C when I can do better. When I was 8, I wanted to be like the big kids. As I got older, I realized that I had exchanged my childhood longing for the 48 pack of crayons for bigger problems, balancing grades, a social life, and mental stability—all at once. I’m going to get older whether I like it or not, so there’s no point forcing myself to grow up faster.  I’m learning to live in the moment.

The bus is approaching my apartment, where I know my comfy bed and a home-cooked meal from my mom are waiting. My mom is hard-working, confident, and very stubborn. I admire her strength of character. She always keeps me in line, even through my rebellious phases.

My best friend sends me a text—an update on how broken her laptop is. She is annoying. She says the stupidest things and loves to state the obvious. Despite this, she never fails to make me laugh until my cheeks feel numb. The rest of my friends are like that too—loud, talkative, and always brightening my day. Even friends I stopped talking to have a place in my heart. Recently, I’ve tried to reconnect with some of them. This interview was possible because a close friend from sixth grade offered to introduce me to Sandra, her grandmother.  

I’m decades younger than Sandra, so my view of what’s important isn’t as broad as hers, but we share similar values, with friends and family at the top. I have a feeling that when Sandra was my age, she used to love music, too. Maybe in a few decades, when I’m sitting in my rocking chair, drawing in my sketchbook, I’ll remember this article and think back fondly to the days when life was simple.

Praethong Klomsum is a tenth-grader at Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California.  Praethong has a strange affinity for rhyme games and is involved in her school’s dance team. She enjoys drawing and writing, hoping to impact people willing to listen to her thoughts and ideas.

University Winner

Emily Greenbaum

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 

the life of a student essay

The Life-Long War

Every morning we open our eyes, ready for a new day. Some immediately turn to their phones and social media. Others work out or do yoga. For a certain person, a deep breath and the morning sun ground him. He hears the clink-clank of his wife cooking low sodium meat for breakfast—doctor’s orders! He sees that the other side of the bed is already made, the dogs are no longer in the room, and his clothes are set out nicely on the loveseat.

Today, though, this man wakes up to something different: faded cream walls and jello. This person, my hero, is Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James.

I pulled up my chair close to Roger’s vinyl recliner so I could hear him above the noise of the beeping dialysis machine. I noticed Roger would occasionally glance at his wife Susan with sparkly eyes when he would recall memories of the war or their grandkids. He looked at Susan like she walked on water.

Roger James served his country for thirty years. Now, he has enlisted in another type of war. He suffers from a rare blood cancer—the result of the wars he fought in. Roger has good and bad days. He says, “The good outweighs the bad, so I have to be grateful for what I have on those good days.”

When Roger retired, he never thought the effects of the war would reach him. The once shallow wrinkles upon his face become deeper, as he tells me, “It’s just cancer. Others are suffering from far worse. I know I’ll make it.”

Like Nancy Hill did in her article “Three Things that Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I asked Roger, “What are the three most important things to you?” James answered, “My wife Susan, my grandkids, and church.”

Roger and Susan served together in the Vietnam war. She was a nurse who treated his cuts and scrapes one day. I asked Roger why he chose Susan. He said, “Susan told me to look at her while she cleaned me up. ‘This may sting, but don’t be a baby.’ When I looked into her eyes, I felt like she was looking into my soul, and I didn’t want her to leave. She gave me this sense of home. Every day I wake up, she makes me feel the same way, and I fall in love with her all over again.”

Roger and Susan have two kids and four grandkids, with great-grandchildren on the way. He claims that his grandkids give him the youth that he feels slowly escaping from his body. This adoring grandfather is energized by coaching t-ball and playing evening card games with the grandkids.

The last thing on his list was church. His oldest daughter married a pastor. Together they founded a church. Roger said that the connection between his faith and family is important to him because it gave him a reason to want to live again. I learned from Roger that when you’re across the ocean, you tend to lose sight of why you are fighting. When Roger returned, he didn’t have the will to live. Most days were a struggle, adapting back into a society that lacked empathy for the injuries, pain, and psychological trauma carried by returning soldiers. Church changed that for Roger and gave him a sense of purpose.

When I began this project, my attitude was to just get the assignment done. I never thought I could view Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James as more than a role model, but he definitely changed my mind. It’s as if Roger magically lit a fire inside of me and showed me where one’s true passions should lie. I see our similarities and embrace our differences. We both value family and our own connections to home—his home being church and mine being where I can breathe the easiest.

Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James has shown me how to appreciate what I have around me and that every once in a while, I should step back and stop to smell the roses. As we concluded the interview, amidst squeaky clogs and the stale smell of bleach and bedpans, I looked to Roger, his kind, tired eyes, and weathered skin, with a deeper sense of admiration, knowing that his values still run true, no matter what he faces.

Emily Greenbaum is a senior at Kent State University, graduating with a major in Conflict Management and minor in Geography. Emily hopes to use her major to facilitate better conversations, while she works in the Washington, D.C. area.  

Powerful Voice Winner

Amanda Schwaben

the life of a student essay

Wise Words From Winnie the Pooh

As I read through Nancy Hill’s article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I was comforted by the similar responses given by both children and older adults. The emphasis participants placed on family, social connections, and love was not only heartwarming but hopeful. While the messages in the article filled me with warmth, I felt a twinge of guilt building within me. As a twenty-one-year-old college student weeks from graduation, I honestly don’t think much about the most important things in life. But if I was asked, I would most likely say family, friendship, and love. As much as I hate to admit it, I often find myself obsessing over achieving a successful career and finding a way to “save the world.”

A few weeks ago, I was at my family home watching the new Winnie the Pooh movie Christopher Robin with my mom and younger sister. Well, I wasn’t really watching. I had my laptop in front of me, and I was aggressively typing up an assignment. Halfway through the movie, I realized I left my laptop charger in my car. I walked outside into the brisk March air. Instinctively, I looked up. The sky was perfectly clear, revealing a beautiful array of stars. When my twin sister and I were in high school, we would always take a moment to look up at the sparkling night sky before we came into the house after soccer practice.

I think that was the last time I stood in my driveway and gazed at the stars. I did not get the laptop charger from

the life of a student essay

my car; instead, I turned around and went back inside. I shut my laptop and watched the rest of the movie. My twin sister loves Winnie the Pooh. So much so that my parents got her a stuffed animal version of him for Christmas. While I thought he was adorable and a token of my childhood, I did not really understand her obsession. However, it was clear to me after watching the movie. Winnie the Pooh certainly had it figured out. He believed that the simple things in life were the most important: love, friendship, and having fun.

I thought about asking my mom right then what the three most important things were to her, but I decided not to. I just wanted to be in the moment. I didn’t want to be doing homework. It was a beautiful thing to just sit there and be present with my mom and sister.

I did ask her, though, a couple of weeks later. Her response was simple.  All she said was family, health, and happiness. When she told me this, I imagined Winnie the Pooh smiling. I think he would be proud of that answer.

I was not surprised by my mom’s reply. It suited her perfectly. I wonder if we relearn what is most important when we grow older—that the pressure to be successful subsides. Could it be that valuing family, health, and happiness is what ends up saving the world?

Amanda Schwaben is a graduating senior from Kent State University with a major in Applied Conflict Management. Amanda also has minors in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication. She hopes to further her education and focus on how museums not only preserve history but also promote peace.

Antonia Mills

Rachel Carson High School, Brooklyn, N.Y. 

the life of a student essay

Decoding The Butterfly

For a caterpillar to become a butterfly, it must first digest itself. The caterpillar, overwhelmed by accumulating tissue, splits its skin open to form its protective shell, the chrysalis, and later becomes the pretty butterfly we all know and love. There are approximately 20,000 species of butterflies, and just as every species is different, so is the life of every butterfly. No matter how long and hard a caterpillar has strived to become the colorful and vibrant butterfly that we marvel at on a warm spring day, it does not live a long life. A butterfly can live for a year, six months, two weeks, and even as little as twenty-four hours.

I have often wondered if butterflies live long enough to be blissful of blue skies. Do they take time to feast upon the sweet nectar they crave, midst their hustling life of pollinating pretty flowers? Do they ever take a lull in their itineraries, or are they always rushing towards completing their four-stage metamorphosis? Has anyone asked the butterfly, “Who are you?” instead of “What are you”? Or, How did you get here, on my windowsill?  How did you become ‘you’?

Humans are similar to butterflies. As a caterpillar

the life of a student essay

Suzanna Ruby/Getty Images

becomes a butterfly, a baby becomes an elder. As a butterfly soars through summer skies, an elder watches summer skies turn into cold winter nights and back toward summer skies yet again.  And as a butterfly flits slowly by the porch light, a passerby makes assumptions about the wrinkled, slow-moving elder, who is sturdier than he appears. These creatures are not seen for who they are—who they were—because people have “better things to do” or they are too busy to ask, “How are you”?

Our world can be a lonely place. Pressured by expectations, haunted by dreams, overpowered by weakness, and drowned out by lofty goals, we tend to forget ourselves—and others. Rather than hang onto the strands of our diminishing sanity, we might benefit from listening to our elders. Many elders have experienced setbacks in their young lives. Overcoming hardship and surviving to old age is wisdom that they carry.  We can learn from them—and can even make their day by taking the time to hear their stories.  

Nancy Hill, who wrote the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” was right: “We live among such remarkable people, yet few know their stories.” I know a lot about my grandmother’s life, and it isn’t as serene as my own. My grandmother, Liza, who cooks every day, bakes bread on holidays for our neighbors, brings gifts to her doctor out of the kindness of her heart, and makes conversation with neighbors even though she is isn’t fluent in English—Russian is her first language—has struggled all her life. Her mother, Anna, a single parent, had tuberculosis, and even though she had an inviolable spirit, she was too frail to care for four children. She passed away when my grandmother was sixteen, so my grandmother and her siblings spent most of their childhood in an orphanage. My grandmother got married at nineteen to my grandfather, Pinhas. He was a man who loved her more than he loved himself and was a godsend to every person he met. Liza was—and still is—always quick to do what was best for others, even if that person treated her poorly. My grandmother has lived with physical pain all her life, yet she pushed herself to climb heights that she wasn’t ready for. Against all odds, she has lived to tell her story to people who are willing to listen. And I always am.

I asked my grandmother, “What are three things most important to you?” Her answer was one that I already expected: One, for everyone to live long healthy lives. Two, for you to graduate from college. Three, for you to always remember that I love you.

What may be basic to you means the world to my grandmother. She just wants what she never had the chance to experience: a healthy life, an education, and the chance to express love to the people she values. The three things that matter most to her may be so simple and ordinary to outsiders, but to her, it is so much more. And who could take that away?

Antonia Mills was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and attends Rachel Carson High School.  Antonia enjoys creative activities, including writing, painting, reading, and baking. She hopes to pursue culinary arts professionally in the future. One of her favorite quotes is, “When you start seeing your worth, you’ll find it harder to stay around people who don’t.” -Emily S.P.  

  Powerful Voice Winner

   Isaac Ziemba

Odyssey Multiage Program, Bainbridge Island, Wash. 

the life of a student essay

This Former State Trooper Has His Priorities Straight: Family, Climate Change, and Integrity

I have a personal connection to people who served in the military and first responders. My uncle is a first responder on the island I live on, and my dad retired from the Navy. That was what made a man named Glen Tyrell, a state trooper for 25 years, 2 months and 9 days, my first choice to interview about what three things matter in life. In the YES! Magazine article “The Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I learned that old and young people have a great deal in common. I know that’s true because Glen and I care about a lot of the same things.

For Glen, family is at the top of his list of important things. “My wife was, and is, always there for me. My daughters mean the world to me, too, but Penny is my partner,” Glen said. I can understand why Glen’s wife is so important to him. She’s family. Family will always be there for you.

Glen loves his family, and so do I with all my heart. My dad especially means the world to me. He is my top supporter and tells me that if I need help, just “say the word.” When we are fishing or crabbing, sometimes I

the life of a student essay

think, what if these times were erased from my memory? I wouldn’t be able to describe the horrible feeling that would rush through my mind, and I’m sure that Glen would feel the same about his wife.

My uncle once told me that the world is always going to change over time. It’s what the world has turned out to be that worries me. Both Glen and I are extremely concerned about climate change and the effect that rising temperatures have on animals and their habitats. We’re driving them to extinction. Some people might say, “So what? Animals don’t pay taxes or do any of the things we do.” What we are doing to them is like the Black Death times 100.

Glen is also frustrated by how much plastic we use and where it ends up. He would be shocked that an explorer recently dived to the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean—seven miles!— and discovered a plastic bag and candy wrappers. Glen told me that, unfortunately, his generation did the damage and my generation is here to fix it. We need to take better care of Earth because if we don’t, we, as a species, will have failed.

Both Glen and I care deeply for our families and the earth, but for our third important value, I chose education and Glen chose integrity. My education is super important to me because without it, I would be a blank slate. I wouldn’t know how to figure out problems. I wouldn’t be able to tell right from wrong. I wouldn’t understand the Bill of Rights. I would be stuck. Everyone should be able to go to school, no matter where they’re from or who they are.  It makes me angry and sad to think that some people, especially girls, get shot because they are trying to go to school. I understand how lucky I am.

Integrity is sacred to Glen—I could tell by the serious tone of Glen’s voice when he told me that integrity was the code he lived by as a former state trooper. He knew that he had the power to change a person’s life, and he was committed to not abusing that power.  When Glen put someone under arrest—and my uncle says the same—his judgment and integrity were paramount. “Either you’re right or you’re wrong.” You can’t judge a person by what you think, you can only judge a person from what you know.”

I learned many things about Glen and what’s important in life, but there is one thing that stands out—something Glen always does and does well. Glen helps people. He did it as a state trooper, and he does it in our school, where he works on construction projects. Glen told me that he believes that our most powerful tools are writing and listening to others. I think those tools are important, too, but I also believe there are other tools to help solve many of our problems and create a better future: to be compassionate, to create caring relationships, and to help others. Just like Glen Tyrell does each and every day.

Isaac Ziemba is in seventh grade at the Odyssey Multiage Program on a small island called Bainbridge near Seattle, Washington. Isaac’s favorite subject in school is history because he has always been interested in how the past affects the future. In his spare time, you can find Isaac hunting for crab with his Dad, looking for artifacts around his house with his metal detector, and having fun with his younger cousin, Conner.     

Lily Hersch

 The Crest Academy, Salida, Colo.

the life of a student essay

The Phone Call

Dear Grandpa,

In my short span of life—12 years so far—you’ve taught me a lot of important life lessons that I’ll always have with me. Some of the values I talk about in this writing I’ve learned from you.

Dedicated to my Gramps.

In the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” author and photographer Nancy Hill asked people to name the three things that mattered most to them. After reading the essay prompt for the article, I immediately knew who I wanted to interview: my grandpa Gil.      

My grandpa was born on January 25, 1942. He lived in a minuscule tenement in The Bronx with his mother,

the life of a student essay

father, and brother. His father wasn’t around much, and, when he was, he was reticent and would snap occasionally, revealing his constrained mental pain. My grandpa says this happened because my great grandfather did not have a father figure in his life. His mother was a classy, sharp lady who was the head secretary at a local police district station. My grandpa and his brother Larry did not care for each other. Gramps said he was very close to his mother, and Larry wasn’t. Perhaps Larry was envious for what he didn’t have.

Decades after little to no communication with his brother, my grandpa decided to spontaneously visit him in Florida, where he resided with his wife. Larry was taken aback at the sudden reappearance of his brother and told him to leave. Since then, the two brothers have not been in contact. My grandpa doesn’t even know if Larry is alive.         

My grandpa is now a retired lawyer, married to my wonderful grandma, and living in a pretty house with an ugly dog named BoBo.

So, what’s important to you, Gramps?

He paused a second, then replied, “Family, kindness, and empathy.”

“Family, because it’s my family. It’s important to stay connected with your family. My brother, father, and I never connected in the way I wished, and sometimes I contemplated what could’ve happened.  But you can’t change the past. So, that’s why family’s important to me.”

Family will always be on my “Top Three Most Important Things” list, too. I can’t imagine not having my older brother, Zeke, or my grandma in my life. I wonder how other kids feel about their families? How do kids trapped and separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border feel?  What about orphans? Too many questions, too few answers.

“Kindness, because growing up and not seeing a lot of kindness made me realize how important it is to have that in the world. Kindness makes the world go round.”

What is kindness? Helping my brother, Eli, who has Down syndrome, get ready in the morning? Telling people what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear? Maybe, for now, I’ll put wisdom, not kindness, on my list.

“Empathy, because of all the killings and shootings [in this country.] We also need to care for people—people who are not living in as good circumstances as I have. Donald Trump and other people I’ve met have no empathy. Empathy is very important.”

Empathy is something I’ve felt my whole life. It’ll always be important to me like it is important to my grandpa. My grandpa shows his empathy when he works with disabled children. Once he took a disabled child to a Christina Aguilera concert because that child was too young to go by himself. The moments I feel the most empathy are when Eli gets those looks from people. Seeing Eli wonder why people stare at him like he’s a freak makes me sad, and annoyed that they have the audacity to stare.

After this 2 minute and 36-second phone call, my grandpa has helped me define what’s most important to me at this time in my life: family, wisdom, and empathy. Although these things are important now, I realize they can change and most likely will.

When I’m an old woman, I envision myself scrambling through a stack of storage boxes and finding this paper. Perhaps after reading words from my 12-year-old self, I’ll ask myself “What’s important to me?”

Lily Hersch is a sixth-grader at Crest Academy in Salida, Colorado. Lily is an avid indoorsman, finding joy in competitive spelling, art, and of course, writing. She does not like Swiss cheese.

  “Tell It Like It Is” Interview Winner

Jonas Buckner

KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory, Gaston, N.C.

the life of a student essay

Lessons My Nana Taught Me

I walked into the house. In the other room, I heard my cousin screaming at his game. There were a lot of Pioneer Woman dishes everywhere. The room had the television on max volume. The fan in the other room was on. I didn’t know it yet, but I was about to learn something powerful.

I was in my Nana’s house, and when I walked in, she said, “Hey Monkey Butt.”

I said, “Hey Nana.”

Before the interview, I was talking to her about what I was gonna interview her on. Also, I had asked her why I might have wanted to interview her, and she responded with, “Because you love me, and I love you too.”

Now, it was time to start the interview. The first

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question I asked was the main and most important question ever: “What three things matter most to you and you only?”

She thought of it very thoughtfully and responded with, “My grandchildren, my children, and my health.”

Then, I said, “OK, can you please tell me more about your health?”

She responded with, “My health is bad right now. I have heart problems, blood sugar, and that’s about it.” When she said it, she looked at me and smiled because she loved me and was happy I chose her to interview.

I replied with, “K um, why is it important to you?”

She smiled and said, “Why is it…Why is my health important? Well, because I want to live a long time and see my grandchildren grow up.”

I was scared when she said that, but she still smiled. I was so happy, and then I said, “Has your health always been important to you.”

She responded with “Nah.”

Then, I asked, “Do you happen to have a story to help me understand your reasoning?”

She said, “No, not really.”

Now we were getting into the next set of questions. I said, “Remember how you said that your grandchildren matter to you? Can you please tell me why they matter to you?”

Then, she responded with, “So I can spend time with them, play with them, and everything.”

Next, I asked the same question I did before: “Have you always loved your grandchildren?” 

She responded with, “Yes, they have always been important to me.”

Then, the next two questions I asked she had no response to at all. She was very happy until I asked, “Why do your children matter most to you?”

She had a frown on and responded, “My daughter Tammy died a long time ago.”

Then, at this point, the other questions were answered the same as the other ones. When I left to go home I was thinking about how her answers were similar to mine. She said health, and I care about my health a lot, and I didn’t say, but I wanted to. She also didn’t have answers for the last two questions on each thing, and I was like that too.

The lesson I learned was that no matter what, always keep pushing because even though my aunt or my Nana’s daughter died, she kept on pushing and loving everyone. I also learned that everything should matter to us. Once again, I chose to interview my Nana because she matters to me, and I know when she was younger she had a lot of things happen to her, so I wanted to know what she would say. The point I’m trying to make is that be grateful for what you have and what you have done in life.

Jonas Buckner is a sixth-grader at KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory in Gaston, North Carolina. Jonas’ favorite activities are drawing, writing, math, piano, and playing AltSpace VR. He found his passion for writing in fourth grade when he wrote a quick autobiography. Jonas hopes to become a horror writer someday.

From The Author: Responses to Student Winners

Dear Emily, Isaac, Antonia, Rory, Praethong, Amanda, Lily, and Jonas,

Your thought-provoking essays sent my head spinning. The more I read, the more impressed I was with the depth of thought, beauty of expression, and originality. It left me wondering just how to capture all of my reactions in a single letter. After multiple false starts, I’ve landed on this: I will stick to the theme of three most important things.

The three things I found most inspirational about your essays:

You listened.

You connected.

We live in troubled times. Tensions mount between countries, cultures, genders, religious beliefs, and generations. If we fail to find a way to understand each other, to see similarities between us, the future will be fraught with increased hostility.

You all took critical steps toward connecting with someone who might not value the same things you do by asking a person who is generations older than you what matters to them. Then, you listened to their answers. You saw connections between what is important to them and what is important to you. Many of you noted similarities, others wondered if your own list of the three most important things would change as you go through life. You all saw the validity of the responses you received and looked for reasons why your interviewees have come to value what they have.

It is through these things—asking, listening, and connecting—that we can begin to bridge the differences in experiences and beliefs that are currently dividing us.

Individual observations

Each one of you made observations that all of us, regardless of age or experience, would do well to keep in mind. I chose one quote from each person and trust those reading your essays will discover more valuable insights.

“Our priorities may seem different, but they come back to basic human needs. We all desire a purpose, strive to be happy, and work to make a positive impact.” 

“You can’t judge a person by what you think , you can only judge a person by what you know .”

Emily (referencing your interviewee, who is battling cancer):

“Master Chief Petty Officer James has shown me how to appreciate what I have around me.”

Lily (quoting your grandfather):

“Kindness makes the world go round.”

“Everything should matter to us.”

Praethong (quoting your interviewee, Sandra, on the importance of family):

“It’s important to always maintain that connection you have with each other, your family, not just next-door neighbors you talk to once a month.”

“I wonder if maybe we relearn what is most important when we grow older. That the pressure to be successful subsides and that valuing family, health, and happiness is what ends up saving the world.”

“Listen to what others have to say. Listen to the people who have already experienced hardship. You will learn from them and you can even make their day by giving them a chance to voice their thoughts.”

I end this letter to you with the hope that you never stop asking others what is most important to them and that you to continue to take time to reflect on what matters most to you…and why. May you never stop asking, listening, and connecting with others, especially those who may seem to be unlike you. Keep writing, and keep sharing your thoughts and observations with others, for your ideas are awe-inspiring.

I also want to thank the more than 1,000 students who submitted essays. Together, by sharing what’s important to us with others, especially those who may believe or act differently, we can fill the world with joy, peace, beauty, and love.

We received many outstanding essays for the Winter 2019 Student Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we’d like to share some excerpts that caught our eye:

Whether it is a painting on a milky canvas with watercolors or pasting photos onto a scrapbook with her granddaughters, it is always a piece of artwork to her. She values the things in life that keep her in the moment, while still exploring things she may not have initially thought would bring her joy.

—Ondine Grant-Krasno, Immaculate Heart Middle School, Los Angeles, Calif.

“Ganas”… It means “desire” in Spanish. My ganas is fueled by my family’s belief in me. I cannot and will not fail them. 

—Adan Rios, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

I hope when I grow up I can have the love for my kids like my grandma has for her kids. She makes being a mother even more of a beautiful thing than it already is.

—Ashley Shaw, Columbus City Prep School for Girls, Grove City, Ohio

You become a collage of little pieces of your friends and family. They also encourage you to be the best you can be. They lift you up onto the seat of your bike, they give you the first push, and they don’t hesitate to remind you that everything will be alright when you fall off and scrape your knee.

— Cecilia Stanton, Bellafonte Area Middle School, Bellafonte, Pa.

Without good friends, I wouldn’t know what I would do to endure the brutal machine of public education.

—Kenneth Jenkins, Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla, Wash.

My dog, as ridiculous as it may seem, is a beautiful example of what we all should aspire to be. We should live in the moment, not stress, and make it our goal to lift someone’s spirits, even just a little.

—Kate Garland, Immaculate Heart Middle School, Los Angeles, Calif. 

I strongly hope that every child can spare more time to accompany their elderly parents when they are struggling, and moving forward, and give them more care and patience. so as to truly achieve the goal of “you accompany me to grow up, and I will accompany you to grow old.”

—Taiyi Li, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

I have three cats, and they are my brothers and sisters. We share a special bond that I think would not be possible if they were human. Since they do not speak English, we have to find other ways to connect, and I think that those other ways can be more powerful than language.

—Maya Dombroskie, Delta Program Middle School, Boulsburg, Pa.

We are made to love and be loved. To have joy and be relational. As a member of the loneliest generation in possibly all of history, I feel keenly aware of the need for relationships and authentic connection. That is why I decided to talk to my grandmother.

—Luke Steinkamp, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

After interviewing my grandma and writing my paper, I realized that as we grow older, the things that are important to us don’t change, what changes is why those things are important to us.

—Emily Giffer, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

The media works to marginalize elders, often isolating them and their stories, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with their additional years of lived experiences. It also undermines the depth of children’s curiosity and capacity to learn and understand. When the worlds of elders and children collide, a classroom opens.

—Cristina Reitano, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.

My values, although similar to my dad, only looked the same in the sense that a shadow is similar to the object it was cast on.

—Timofey Lisenskiy, Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

I can release my anger through writing without having to take it out on someone. I can escape and be a different person; it feels good not to be myself for a while. I can make up my own characters, so I can be someone different every day, and I think that’s pretty cool.

—Jasua Carillo, Wellness, Business, and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore. 

Notice how all the important things in his life are people: the people who he loves and who love him back. This is because “people are more important than things like money or possessions, and families are treasures,” says grandpa Pat. And I couldn’t agree more.

—Brody Hartley, Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla, Wash.  

Curiosity for other people’s stories could be what is needed to save the world.

—Noah Smith, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Peace to me is a calm lake without a ripple in sight. It’s a starry night with a gentle breeze that pillows upon your face. It’s the absence of arguments, fighting, or war. It’s when egos stop working against each other and finally begin working with each other. Peace is free from fear, anxiety, and depression. To me, peace is an important ingredient in the recipe of life.

—JP Bogan, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

From A Teacher

Charles Sanderson

Wellness, Business and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore. 

the life of a student essay

The Birthday Gift

I’ve known Jodelle for years, watching her grow from a quiet and timid twelve-year-old to a young woman who just returned from India, where she played Kabaddi, a kind of rugby meets Red Rover.

One of my core beliefs as an educator is to show up for the things that matter to kids, so I go to their games, watch their plays, and eat the strawberry jam they make for the county fair. On this occasion, I met Jodelle at a robotics competition to watch her little sister Abby compete. Think Nerd Paradise: more hats made from traffic cones than Golden State Warrior ball caps, more unicorn capes than Nike swooshes, more fanny packs with Legos than clutches with eyeliner.

We started chatting as the crowd chanted and waved six-foot flags for teams like Mystic Biscuits, Shrek, and everyone’s nemesis The Mean Machine. Apparently, when it’s time for lunch at a robotics competition, they don’t mess around. The once-packed gym was left to Jodelle and me, and we kept talking and talking. I eventually asked her about the three things that matter to her most.

She told me about her mom, her sister, and her addiction—to horses. I’ve read enough of her writing to know that horses were her drug of choice and her mom and sister were her support network.

I learned about her desire to become a teacher and how hours at the barn with her horse, Heart, recharge her when she’s exhausted. At one point, our rambling conversation turned to a topic I’ve known far too well—her father.

Later that evening, I received an email from Jodelle, and she had a lot to say. One line really struck me: “In so many movies, I have seen a dad wanting to protect his daughter from the world, but I’ve only understood the scene cognitively. Yesterday, I felt it.”

Long ago, I decided that I would never be a dad. I had seen movies with fathers and daughters, and for me, those movies might as well have been Star Wars, ET, or Alien—worlds filled with creatures I’d never know. However, over the years, I’ve attended Jodelle’s parent-teacher conferences, gone to her graduation, and driven hours to watch her ride Heart at horse shows. Simply, I showed up. I listened. I supported.

Jodelle shared a series of dad poems, as well. I had read the first two poems in their original form when Jodelle was my student. The revised versions revealed new graphic details of her past. The third poem, however, was something entirely different.

She called the poems my early birthday present. When I read the lines “You are my father figure/Who I look up to/Without being looked down on,” I froze for an instant and had to reread the lines. After fifty years of consciously deciding not to be a dad, I was seen as one—and it felt incredible. Jodelle’s poem and recognition were two of the best presents I’ve ever received.

I  know that I was the language arts teacher that Jodelle needed at the time, but her poem revealed things I never knew I taught her: “My father figure/ Who taught me/ That listening is for observing the world/ That listening is for learning/Not obeying/Writing is for connecting/Healing with others.”

Teaching is often a thankless job, one that frequently brings more stress and anxiety than joy and hope. Stress erodes my patience. Anxiety curtails my ability to enter each interaction with every student with the grace they deserve. However, my time with Jodelle reminds me of the importance of leaning in and listening.

In the article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age” by Nancy Hill, she illuminates how we “live among such remarkable people, yet few know their stories.” For the last twenty years, I’ve had the privilege to work with countless of these “remarkable people,” and I’ve done my best to listen, and, in so doing, I hope my students will realize what I’ve known for a long time; their voices matter and deserve to be heard, but the voices of their tias and abuelitos and babushkas are equally important. When we take the time to listen, I believe we do more than affirm the humanity of others; we affirm our own as well.

Charles Sanderson has grounded his nineteen-year teaching career in a philosophy he describes as “Mirror, Window, Bridge.” Charles seeks to ensure all students see themselves, see others, and begin to learn the skills to build bridges of empathy, affinity, and understanding between communities and cultures that may seem vastly different. He proudly teaches at the Wellness, Business and Sports School in Woodburn, Oregon, a school and community that brings him joy and hope on a daily basis.

From   The Author: Response to Charles Sanderson

Dear Charles Sanderson,

Thank you for submitting an essay of your own in addition to encouraging your students to participate in YES! Magazine’s essay contest.

Your essay focused not on what is important to you, but rather on what is important to one of your students. You took what mattered to her to heart, acting upon it by going beyond the school day and creating a connection that has helped fill a huge gap in her life. Your efforts will affect her far beyond her years in school. It is clear that your involvement with this student is far from the only time you have gone beyond the classroom, and while you are not seeking personal acknowledgment, I cannot help but applaud you.

In an ideal world, every teacher, every adult, would show the same interest in our children and adolescents that you do. By taking the time to listen to what is important to our youth, we can help them grow into compassionate, caring adults, capable of making our world a better place.

Your concerted efforts to guide our youth to success not only as students but also as human beings is commendable. May others be inspired by your insights, concerns, and actions. You define excellence in teaching.

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Essay on Student Life

Kunika Khuble

Introduction to Student Life

Student life encompasses the multifaceted journey of learning, growth, and exploration individuals embark upon during their academic years. It is a phase characterized by the pursuit of knowledge, the development of skills, and the formation of lasting relationships. From classrooms to extracurricular activities, students navigate diverse experiences that shape their identities and prepare them for future challenges. Understanding the significance of student life is essential for embracing its opportunities and overcoming its obstacles. In this essay, we will delve into the intricate dynamics of student life, offering insights and guidance for students at every stage of their journey.

Essay on Student Life

Importance of Student Life

Here are several key reasons why student life holds immense significance:

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  • Academic Foundation: Student life lays the groundwork for academic success by providing opportunities for learning, critical thinking, and intellectual exploration. During this time, students acquire essential knowledge and skills that form the foundation for their chosen fields of study and future careers.
  • Personal Growth: Student life offers a fertile ground for personal growth and self-discovery. Students develop resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness through diverse experiences such as academic challenges, extracurricular activities, and social interactions. They learn to navigate complex situations, overcome obstacles, and cultivate a sense of identity and purpose.
  • Social Development: Interactions with peers, professors, and mentors shape students’ social skills, communication abilities, and interpersonal relationships. Student life provides collaboration, teamwork , and leadership development opportunities, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
  • Experiential Learning: Beyond the confines of the classroom, student life offers opportunities for experiential learning through internships, research projects, community service, and study abroad programs. These hands-on experiences enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts, develop practical skills, and explore diverse career pathways.
  • Networking and Opportunities: Student life facilitates networking opportunities with alumni, industry professionals, and potential employers. Through participation in clubs, organizations, and professional associations, students build valuable connections, access mentorship, and explore career opportunities that can shape their future trajectories.
  • Holistic Development: Student life emphasizes the importance of holistic development, encompassing intellectual, emotional, social, and physical well-being. It encourages students to prioritize self-care, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and cultivate habits that promote lifelong learning and personal fulfillment.

Academic Pursuits: Balancing Act of Learning

Academic pursuits represent a crucial aspect of student life, encompassing the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual growth, and academic excellence. However, navigating the academic landscape often entails a delicate balancing act between various commitments and priorities. Here, we explore the intricate dynamics of academic pursuits and the strategies for achieving a harmonious balance:

  • The Learning Environment: Classrooms serve as the primary arena for academic engagement, where students engage in lectures, discussions, and interactive learning activities. The learning environment extends beyond traditional classrooms, including online platforms, libraries, and study groups, offering diverse knowledge acquisition and collaboration avenues.
  • Balancing Theory and Practice: Academic pursuits involve striking a balance between theoretical concepts and practical applications. While theoretical knowledge forms the foundation of academic disciplines, practical experiences enable students to contextualize concepts and develop hands-on skills. Engaging in internships, research projects, and experiential learning opportunities bridges the gap between theory and practice, enhancing the relevance and applicability of academic learning.
  • Time Management: Effective time management is essential for navigating the demands of academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities. Students must prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and allocate time efficiently to accommodate academic coursework, study sessions, and other commitments. Time management tools such as calendars, planners, and task lists can help students organize their schedules and optimize their productivity.
  • Academic Deadlines: Various deadlines punctuate academic pursuits, including assignments, projects, exams, and research papers. Meeting deadlines requires careful planning, proactive time allocation, and effective task prioritization. Students must break down larger tasks into manageable steps and allocate sufficient research, drafting, and revision time. Procrastination can derail academic progress and lead to unnecessary stress. Adopting proactive time management strategies and maintaining a disciplined work ethic can help students stay on track and meet deadlines effectively.
  • Juggling Multiple Subjects: Many students are enrolled in multiple courses simultaneously, each with requirements, readings, and assessments. Juggling multiple subjects requires cognitive flexibility, organization, and adaptability. Students must develop strategies for managing course materials, synthesizing information across disciplines, and prioritizing assignments based on deadlines and importance. Seeking support from professors, academic advisors, and peer study groups can provide valuable resources and insights for navigating the complexities of diverse academic subjects.

Extracurricular Engagements

Extracurricular engagements enrich the student experience, offering various opportunities beyond academic pursuits. These activities contribute significantly to personal development , skill enhancement, and the cultivation of a well-rounded individual. Let’s explore the multifaceted benefits and considerations associated with extracurricular engagements:

1. Clubs and Organizations

  • Benefits of Participation: Involvement in clubs and organizations fosters a sense of community, providing platforms for like-minded individuals to connect. These groups offer opportunities to develop leadership skills, enhance teamwork, and contribute to causes that align with personal interests.
  • Finding the Right Fit: The diversity of clubs allows students to explore varied interests, from academic and professional organizations to cultural and hobby-based groups. Finding the right fit contributes to a fulfilling and enjoyable extracurricular experience.

2. Sports and Physical Activity

  • Health and Well-being: Engagement in sports and physical activities promotes overall health and well-being. Regular exercise contributes to physical fitness and enhances mental health, stress management, and overall resilience.
  • Team Building and Leadership: Team sports cultivate teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. These qualities are transferable to academic and professional settings, fostering a holistic approach to personal growth.

3. Arts and Creativity

  • Expression and Innovation: Involvement in arts and creative pursuits allows students to express themselves and explore innovative ideas. Whether through visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing, these activities provide avenues for self-discovery and expression.
  • Cultural Awareness: Participation in cultural clubs or events fosters an understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives. This exposure contributes to developing cultural competence, a valuable skill in an interconnected world.

4. Volunteerism and Community Service

  • Social Responsibility: Engaging in volunteer activities fosters a sense of social responsibility and empathy towards marginalized communities. Students develop a deeper understanding of societal issues and contribute positively to local and global communities.
  • Leadership and Empowerment: Volunteerism provides opportunities for students to take on leadership roles, organize community events, and advocate for social change. These experiences empower individuals to become agents of positive transformation in their communities.

5. Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  • Startup Culture: Many universities foster entrepreneurship and innovation through incubators, competitions, and clubs. Students can explore entrepreneurial ideas, develop business acumen, and collaborate with peers to launch ventures.
  • Risk-taking and Resilience: Entrepreneurial pursuits encourage risk-taking and resilience in facing challenges and failures. Students learn valuable problem-solving, adaptability, and perseverance lessons essential for success in today’s dynamic business landscape.

6. Mentorship and Peer Support

  • Guidance and Mentorship: Engaging in extracurricular activities often involves mentorship from faculty advisors, alumni, or industry professionals. Mentors provide guidance, advice, and support, helping students navigate challenges and maximize growth opportunities.
  • Peer Learning Communities: Participation in extracurricular groups fosters peer learning and collaboration. Students exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from each other’s perspectives, creating a vibrant learning ecosystem beyond the confines of the classroom.

Building Connections Beyond the Classroom

Social dynamics are pivotal in shaping the student experience, fostering meaningful connections, and contributing to a vibrant campus community. Beyond academic pursuits and extracurricular engagements, students navigate a complex web of social interactions that impact their personal development and overall well-being. Here, we explore the intricacies of social dynamics and strategies for building connections beyond the classroom:

  • Building Friendships: Establishing meaningful friendships is a cornerstone of positive social dynamics. Students often find themselves in diverse social settings, such as residence halls, campus events, and shared classes, providing ample opportunities to connect with peers. Building friendships requires open-mindedness, active listening, and a willingness to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Participating in orientation programs, social events, and group activities can facilitate initial connections and help students build a supportive social network .
  • Navigating Social Circles: College environments are characterized by a rich tapestry of social circles, each with unique dynamics, interests, and values. Students may encounter challenges navigating these circles, but approaching social interactions with authenticity, respect, and an open heart fosters inclusivity and helps break down social barriers. Encouraging diverse friendships allows students to broaden their perspectives, learn from others, and create a more inclusive and welcoming campus community.
  • Peer Support Networks: Establishing peer support networks is crucial for emotional well-being and academic success. These networks provide a safety net during stress, anxiety, or academic challenges. Creating study groups, participating in group projects, and engaging in collaborative learning activities strengthen peer connections and contribute to a supportive academic community. Institutions often offer counseling services and support groups, further enhancing the availability of resources for students seeking assistance with personal or academic concerns.
  • Networking Opportunities: The college serves as a unique platform for networking, providing opportunities to connect with professors, alumni, and industry professionals. Attending career fairs, networking events, and industry-specific gatherings allows students to establish valuable connections for future career opportunities. Building a professional network during college facilitates career development and enriches the overall student experience by exposing individuals to diverse perspectives and potential mentors.
  • Connecting with Professors: Connecting with professors goes beyond the classroom and can significantly impact a student’s academic and professional journey. Attending office hours, actively participating in class discussions, and seeking mentorship opportunities contribute to meaningful relationships with faculty members. Professors can guide academic pursuits, career paths, and personal development, offering valuable insights that extend beyond the boundaries of the curriculum.
  • Industry and Alumni Connections: Leveraging industry connections and engaging with alumni networks enhances students’ understanding of potential career paths and provides insights into industry trends. Many universities facilitate events, workshops, and mentorship programs that connect students with alumni who have excelled in their respective fields. Establishing connections with alumni offers career guidance and provides a sense of community and shared experiences.

Challenges and Coping Strategies

In this section, we will explore common challenges faced by students and recommend coping strategies to help them overcome these obstacles:

1. Academic Pressures

  • Challenge: The rigorous academic demands, including exams, assignments, and deadlines, can lead to stress and burnout.
  • Coping Strategies: Develop effective time management skills to prioritize tasks and allocate sufficient time for study sessions. Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable components to reduce overwhelming feelings. Seek academic support services, such as tutoring or study groups, to enhance understanding of challenging subjects.

2. Exam Stress

  • Challenge: The pressure associated with exams can cause anxiety and negatively impact performance.
  • Coping Strategies: Implement consistent study routines to promote thorough preparation and reduce last-minute cramming. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, to manage anxiety. Prioritize self-care, including adequate sleep and balanced nutrition, to support cognitive function during exams.

3. Overcoming Burnout

  • Challenge: Juggling academic commitments, extracurricular activities, and personal life can lead to burnout.
  • Coping Strategies: Schedule regular breaks and downtime to prevent exhaustion. Set realistic goals and learn to say no when commitments become overwhelming. Establish a support network, including friends, family, or counselors, to share concerns and seek advice.

4. Peer Pressure

  • Challenge: Students may face pressure to conform to societal expectations, impacting decision-making and personal values.
  • Coping Strategies: Develop strong self-awareness and clearly understand personal values and priorities. Surround yourself with supportive friends who share similar values and encourage positive choices. Be assertive in setting boundaries and making decisions aligned with personal goals.

5. Balancing Social Life and Academic Commitments

  • Challenge: Striking a balance between maintaining a social life and meeting academic obligations can be challenging.
  • Coping Strategies: Create a realistic schedule that allocates academic and social activities. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance, allowing for effective time management. Communicate with friends and peers about academic commitments to foster understanding and support.

6. Financial Pressures

  • Challenge: Managing finances, including tuition, living expenses, and personal needs, can be a significant stressor.
  • Coping Strategies: Develop a budget to track income and expenses, identifying areas for potential savings. Seek part-time employment or explore scholarship opportunities to alleviate financial strain. Utilize campus resources for financial counseling and advice.

7. Homesickness

  • Challenge: Adjusting to a new environment, especially for those living away from home, can lead to feelings of homesickness.
  • Coping Strategies: Establish a routine and engage in activities that foster a sense of belonging and connection. Maintain regular communication with friends and family through calls or video chats. Seek support from campus counseling services or student support groups.

Balancing Responsibilities

Time management is critical for students, enabling them to effectively balance academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities, personal commitments, and self-care. Here, we explore strategies for managing time and striking a harmonious balance amidst competing demands:

  • Prioritize Tasks: Identify urgent and essential tasks and prioritize them accordingly. Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their significance and urgency. Focus on completing high-priority assignments first, ensuring you meet essential deadlines without sacrificing quality.
  • Set SMART Goals: Establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals to guide your activities and measure progress. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, making them more attainable and less daunting.
  • Create a Schedule: Use a planner, calendar, or digital tools to create a detailed schedule that allocates time for academic study, classes, extracurricular activities, personal commitments, and relaxation. Block out dedicated study periods for each subject, ensuring adequate comprehension, review, and revision time.
  • Avoid Procrastination: Recognize and address procrastination tendencies by breaking tasks into smaller, actionable steps. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for focused intervals followed by short breaks, to maintain productivity and motivation.
  • Practice Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time for different activities, such as studying, attending classes, exercising, and socializing. Guard these time blocks against interruptions and distractions, treating them as non-negotiable commitments.
  • Be Realistic: Set realistic expectations for what can be accomplished within a given timeframe, considering factors like workload, complexity of tasks, and personal energy levels. Avoid over-committing to activities or taking on more than can be comfortably managed without sacrificing quality or well-being.
  • Learn to Delegate: Recognize tasks you can delegate to others, such as group projects or household chores, and collaborate with peers, family members, or roommates to share responsibilities. Delegating tasks frees time and energy to focus on high-priority activities and personal development.
  • Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities, including adequate sleep, nutritious meals, physical exercise, and relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness. Recognize the importance of mental and emotional well-being, and make time for activities that promote stress relief and rejuvenation.
  • Review and Adjust: Regularly review your schedule and assess your progress towards goals, making adjustments to optimize efficiency and effectiveness. Reflect on time management strategies that work well and identify areas for improvement, refining your approach over time to suit evolving needs and priorities.

Personal Growth

Personal growth is a transformative journey that involves nurturing the whole self – mind, body, and spirit. It encompasses the development of self-awareness, resilience, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose. In this section, we explore the significance of personal growth and strategies for cultivating a holistic approach to self-improvement:

  • Self-Reflection and Self-Awareness: Personal growth begins with self-reflection, the process of introspection and examination of one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Cultivating self-awareness allows individuals to recognize their strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs, providing a foundation for intentional growth and self-improvement. Journaling, mindfulness, and meditation can facilitate self-reflection and deepen self-awareness.
  • Setting Goals and Intentions: Establishing clear goals and intentions provides direction and purpose in pursuing personal growth. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), guiding individuals toward meaningful outcomes and milestones. Regularly revisiting and adjusting goals ensures alignment with evolving aspirations and priorities.
  • Continuous Learning and Skill Development: Personal growth thrives on a commitment to lifelong learning and skill development. Embrace opportunities for intellectual curiosity, explore new interests, and seek out challenges that stretch your capabilities. Engage in formal education, professional development programs, workshops, and online courses to acquire new knowledge and skills.
  • Emotional Resilience and Coping Strategies: Building emotional resilience equips individuals to navigate challenges, setbacks, and adversity with grace and resilience. Cultivate healthy coping strategies, such as seeking social support, practicing self-care, and reframing negative thinking patterns. Embrace failure as an opportunity for growth, learning, and personal development.
  • Mind-Body Connection: Recognize the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in achieving holistic well-being. Prioritize physical health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques. Incorporate mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation techniques to promote mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual well-being.
  • Cultivating Positive Relationships: Meaningful connections with others contribute to personal growth and well-being. Surround yourself with supportive friends, mentors, and role models who inspire and encourage your aspirations. Practice empathy, active listening, and effective communication in cultivating healthy relationships and resolving conflicts constructively.
  • Stepping Outside Comfort Zones: Growth occurs outside the comfort zone, where individuals confront challenges, embrace uncertainty, and pursue new experiences. Embrace personal exploration, travel, cultural immersion, and creative expression opportunities. Embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth and self-discovery, fostering resilience and adaptability in the face of change.
  • Fostering Gratitude and Mindfulness: Cultivate gratitude and appreciation for life’s blessings, joys, and experiences. Practice mindfulness daily, savoring the present moment and cultivating awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Mindful living promotes emotional resilience, stress reduction, and a deeper connection to oneself and the world.

Health and Well-being

Prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional health is essential for students to thrive and achieve their full potential. In this section, we explore the importance of health and well-being in the student context and strategies for maintaining a balanced and holistic approach to wellness:

1. Physical Health

  • Regular Exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Incorporate strength training exercises at least two days a week to enhance muscle health. Choose activities you enjoy to make exercise a sustainable and enjoyable part of your routine.
  • Balanced Nutrition: Prioritize a diverse and balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary snacks, and fast food. Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day.
  • Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night by establishing a consistent sleep schedule. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal the body that it’s time to wind down. Minimize exposure to screens and caffeine in the hours leading up to bedtime.

2. Mental Health

  • Stress Management: To reduce stress, practice deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation. Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to prevent overwhelming feelings. Schedule regular breaks during study sessions to maintain focus and prevent burnout.
  • Seeking Support: Contact campus counseling services or mental health professionals for assistance. Normalize conversations about mental health to reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue. Foster a support system by confiding in friends, family, or mentors during challenging times.
  • Self-Care Practices: Incorporate self-care activities into your routine, such as reading, taking a nature walk, or engaging in hobbies. Prioritize activities that bring joy, relaxation, and a sense of fulfillment. Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness during both successes and setbacks.

3. Emotional Well-being

  • Cultivating Emotional Awareness: Practice mindfulness to observe and acknowledge emotions without judgment. Express emotions through creative outlets like journaling, art, or music. Cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on gratitude and positive affirmations.
  • Building Resilience: Embrace setbacks and challenges as opportunities for personal growth. Develop a growth mindset that views failures as learning experiences. Foster resilience by building a strong social support network and seeking guidance during difficult times.
  • Social Connections: Cultivate meaningful relationships by actively listening and engaging in open communication. Attend social events, join clubs, or participate in group activities to expand your social network. Prioritize quality time with loved ones, fostering a sense of connection and support.

4. Work-Life Balance

  • Setting Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between academic commitments, extracurricular activities, and personal time. Learn to say no when additional commitments may compromise well-being. Schedule breaks and leisure activities to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
  • Time Management: Utilize tools like planners and calendars to organize tasks and prioritize deadlines. Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on efficiency by minimizing multitasking and optimizing study sessions.
  • Seeking Professional Help: Familiarize yourself with available campus resources for health and well-being. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance from healthcare providers, therapists, or support services. Proactively address health concerns to prevent them from impacting overall well-being.

Transition to the Professional World

Transitioning from student life to the professional world marks a significant milestone in one’s academic and personal journey. As students prepare to embark on their careers, they must navigate a complex landscape of opportunities, challenges, and expectations. In this section, we explore the various aspects of the transition to the professional world and strategies for success:

  • Gain practical skills through internships and part-time jobs.
  • Network with industry professionals to enhance career prospects.
  • Showcase academic achievements, internships, and leadership roles on your resume.
  • Craft personalized cover letters highlighting your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position.
  • Build a professional network through networking events and online platforms.
  • Nurture relationships with mentors and industry contacts for career guidance.
  • Research career paths and job markets to identify opportunities aligned with your goals.
  • Prepare for interviews by researching the company and practicing responses to common questions.
  • Commit to lifelong learning through certifications and specialized training.
  • Seek feedback and growth opportunities to enhance skills and career advancement.
  • Cultivate a professional online presence through social media and networking platforms.
  • Maintain professionalism in all online interactions and curate content thoughtfully.

Student life represents a transformative journey of learning, growth, and self-discovery. It is a time of academic exploration, personal development, and meaningful connections that lay the foundation for future success. From navigating academic challenges to fostering social connections and prioritizing health and well-being, students embark on a holistic journey of discovery and growth. By embracing opportunities for academic and personal enrichment, students cultivate resilience, adaptability, and a sense of purpose that prepares them for the complexities of the professional world. As students transition to the next chapter of their lives, they carry the invaluable lessons and experiences gained during their time in academia.

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Essay Samples on Student Life

Impact of student loans on student's life and the financial value of a degree.

Erin Velez, Melissa Cominole & Alexander Bentz (2019) Debt burden after college: the effect of student loan debt on graduates’ employment, additional schooling, family formation, and home ownership Articles core question- How does debt affect students' lives after earning their bachelors’ degree Research method Longitudinal...

  • College Students
  • Student Life
  • Student Loan Debt

Beneficial Role of Mentor in a Student’s Life

Have the thought of finding a mentor ever crossed your mind? Often there are times when students seem perplexed looking at the various career opportunities the world has to offer. Everything seems so overwhelming, that it becomes difficult to choose the right career path. No...

  • Professionalism

Balancing Life, Work and Studying in Student's Life

Students engaging in part time work while studying is becoming increasingly common. A study conducted by Lucas & Lammont 1998, found that students who work part time could develop skills such a teamwork, communication, customer care and practical skills. “Work-Life Balance does not mean an...

  • Personal Life

Struggles in the Life of a Senior High School Student

Have you ever thought what kind of life a senior high school student has? To be an SHS student, it signifies having the kind of capability to surpass and conquer the typical struggles and obstacles which a normal student would face. One of the capabilities...

  • High School

Best topics on Student Life

1. Impact Of Student Loans On Student’s Life And The Financial Value Of A Degree

2. Beneficial Role of Mentor in a Student’s Life

3. Balancing Life, Work and Studying in Student’s Life

4. Struggles in the Life of a Senior High School Student

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  • College Life Essay

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Anticipated Experiences During Our College Life

College Life is one of the most remarkable and lovable times of an individual's life. Unlike School Life, College Life has a different experience, and a person needs to have this experience in his/her life. College Life exposes us to whole new experiences which we always dream of experiencing after our school life. Lucky are those who get the chance to enjoy their college life, as many people don't get this chance due to their circumstances or financial issues. For every person, College Life has a different meaning. While some people spend their college life partying with friends, others become more cautious about their careers and study hard. Whatever the way, every individual enjoys their college life and always wishes to relive that time once it is over.

College Life Experience: How is it different from School Life?

Both school life and college life is the most memorable time of a person's life, but both of them are quite different from each other. While in School life, we learn everything in a protected environment, College Life exposes us to a new environment where we have to learn new things and face new challenges by ourselves. We spend half of our young lives in school, and thus we get comfortable living in that environment. But College Life is for three years only, where every year introduces new challenges and lessons to us. While in school, our teachers and friends always protect and guard us, in college life we form a relationship with our mentors, and they don't protect us all the time as our school teachers did. 

Unlike school life, we don't have many limitations in college life, and it is up to us how we want to spend our college life. In college life, we see new faces and experience a unique environment in which we have to mingle ourselves. We make new friends there who stay with us for the rest of our lives. Also, we get a chance to shape our careers asking the right decisions and studying hard. College life is not only about the study but also about the overall development of an individual through various activities and challenges.

In College Life, one gets a chance to make their own decisions. In school life, students get an opportunity to be class monitors. In College Life, an individual gets a chance to nominate himself/herself for more prominent positions like College President, Vice President, Secretary, and Vice Secretary. Apart from deciding the course and stream, an individual gets a chance to build his/her confidence by being a part of various societies and events that take place all year.

Different from School Life, College Life has its importance in a person's life, and one should always enjoy his/her college life.

A Bridge Between Our Student and Adult Lives

College life is considered a bridge in our lives between our school days and our career. It prepares us with the finest academics and platform to generate dreams into realities. It acts as a transition to prepare us to be more independent. In school, we were dependent on our parents. However, we became independent in college regarding studying, traveling, decision-making, and financially independent after college. It is a valued and very smooth transition where we do not realize that we have become independent. 

Some Fun Memories from College Life

Firstly, some of the most fun memories of college are “college canteen”. The canteen is supposed to be where most of the students satisfy their hunger and hang out with their friends. 

Secondly, it’s the “annual fest” of the colleges. Fests always filled the student’s life with excitement and buzz. It gave new opportunities to explore, compare, compete and provide a platform to showcase their talent. It became a place where students take lots of pictures and record their experiences. 

Last but not the least, it’s the college trips. One of the best things in college life is field trips where they can go out and have quality time with their friends and teacher and learning experience. Field trips or just any other college trips are filled with stories and dramas. Every student has their own story to tell about their college trips. 

We should enjoy our college days as they cannot be brought back just like our school days. 

The Hardest Part of College Life

As a college student, the hardest part of college life was leaving college after graduation or post-graduation. The last days of college were the hardest, knowing that soon you will be departing your friends, the campus, teachers and completely leaving behind a part of life.  

My College Days Experience

Talking about my college life, I had enjoyed my college life to the fullest and had some of the best college days of my life. I was a student of one of the most reputed colleges of Delhi University and, i.e. Gargi College. I have completed my B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Psychology from there. Gargi College is one of the renowned and best colleges of Delhi University. Built in a larger area, it is a beautiful college with many courses in streams like Science, Commerce, Arts, and Humanities. With an outstanding academic record, it is a girls college.

When I took admission to this college, I was really afraid as all the people were new to me. But soon, I started enjoying my college life and made some fantastic friends. I loved everything about my college and participated in the events at my college. Even I joined the dance society of my college and participated in many dance competitions that occurred in different colleges of Delhi University. 

One of the best things about college life is that you get a new experience every day. In my college life, along with studying, I and my friends enjoyed a lot of other things. We traveled to lots of places, had new experiences, and learned many new things. Our college's canteen was a remarkable place in my college life as whenever we got time, we used to chill in the canteen. 

Another thing I loved about my college life is Annual Fests. Every year, every college of Delhi University organizes an annual fest that lasts for 2-3 days. In this annual fest, various competitions happen, and students from various colleges come to be a part of this annual fest. Every year, our college organizes a massive annual fest and all the students of our college participate in various events and enjoy a lot in this fest. These fests allow students to socialize with new people and showcase their talent to everyone which builds their confidence and helps them in their future. I have participated in my college's annual fest for all three years, and I have got the best exposure and experience of my life through this fest. I had the best time of my life in college, and my college life memories will always make me happy.

Life After College

One fine day, you will be silently smiling with wet eyes, looking at the pictures from your college and old friends, and remembering all the good times you had in your college days. That is the beauty of studying in a college. Despite climbing the ladders of success, you will cherish the memories of your college life.

College Life is a remarkable and essential time in a person's life, and everyone should enjoy it. College Life teaches us many things and builds our confidence to face the challenges and struggles in our future. Instead of just focussing on the study, a person must participate in other activities and socialize as much as possible in his/her college life as all these things help in the overall development of a person.

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FAQs on College Life Essay

Q1. What is the difference between college life and school life?

When compared to each other, they both are completely different from each other. College life provides us with different opportunities to explore to nurture our confidence in the outside world. In school, the teacher acts as a monitor whereas, in college, they act like our friends, and not to forget, in college, we face more challenges than we had in our school.

Q2. Explain some of the common memories of college life.

Whenever you hear the word college, the first thing that comes to our mind is “college canteen”. The most beloved place for every student was to feed their empty stomach, spend time with friends, and create thousands of memories. Another most common memory is of the annual fest that bought buzz in every student’s life.

Q3. Why are colleges necessary?

When we go to school, they ensure that we have common educational knowledge. Whereas in college, we get specialization in a particular field we want to pursue as our career. That’s the reason our school friends get scattered in various colleges to make their dreams a reality and open better career options.

Q4. Which two things need to be focused on the most in college?

The two most important things in college are the Grade Point Average (GPA) and your participation in other co-curricular activities.

Student Life Essay For Students and Children in 1000 Words

Student Life Essay For Students and Children in 1000 Words

In this article, you will read ‘Student Life Essay’ for students and children in 1000 words. This includes discipline, memories, friends, 10 lines and more about student life.

Table of Contents

Student Life Essay (1000 Words)

The student life.

Student life is not only the happiest but also the most crucial part of a person’s life. No doubt, there are no worldly tensions and responsibilities to worry about at this age, but it is very important for the student itself. 

Discipline in Student Life

Student life is the time that sows the seeds of human life. The foremost task of a student is to work hard, study, and acquire knowledge. 

Discipline helps a student to attract the right things in life and gain success in each and every field.

Enjoy moments in Student Life

It develops a feeling of satisfaction and success. Spending quality time with friends , eating together, studying together, joking, and having fun are some of the real joys of a student’s life. Picnics and study trips are also some of the enjoyable moments that you experience.

My Few School Student Life Memories

Friends in student life.

Besides, we help our juniors in the same manner. While there are a lot of friends and classmates in school, my close and favourite friends are Tony, Steve, Natasha, Bruce, and Peter. They stay with me most of the time in school, and we do almost everything together. 

10 Lines on Student Life

Reader interactions, leave a reply cancel reply, copyright protection, important links.

Student Life Essay in English (Short, Long, and Narrative Essay)

student life essay

Read our Student Life Essay to enhance your writing skills. This student life essay writing will also help you to improve your grades in exams. Student life in school or college helps us to start learning about everything. We have provide essay on student life in 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 500 for class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and so on.

In Student Life, we learn academics, manners, good behaviors, discipline, punctuality, and more. When we get the proper education and guidance, we will become well-mannered adults. Student life prepares us with responsibilities for the world outside. So, let’s go through student life essay writing in English.

Table of Contents

Narrative Essay on Student Life in (400 – 500 words)

The word Vidyarthi is composed of a combination of two words, Vidya + meaning. The literal meaning of which is the seeker of Vidya. The mere desire of a student does not lead to the attainment of Vidya. To achieve this, students need hard work. This time is that aspect of life in which anyone can learn the essence of their life. If a person is entirely successful in life, his student life is behind him.

Importance of Student Life:

Student life has its unique significance. This time is also known as the golden period of student life. This life span starts from the childhood of 5 years and ends in youth. This is the best time for the development of this body and mind. At this age, there is no worry about earning and no diseases of old age.

Whenever a child is in school, first of all, he is given an education which is helpful to him in life. First, respect the elders, do your tasks with your own hands, set your essential goals in life, etc. If a student adopts duty, discipline, and discipline regularly during this time, he can definitely succeed in his life.

The student who has carried himself forward with complete discipline and patience, the same student progresses successfully. Therefore, the importance of student life is self-evident.

Contribution of Parents to Student Life:

The parents’ contribution is most important for all the students to realize their life in the right way. For a child and their parents think the most about their future. Parents are more than God to the children. They are the first friends and first teachers of the children. It is the parents who provide education to the children first.

Parents not only give birth to the child, but they raise them by raising them. Parents teach a child to speak, walk, and all the rites. Someone has rightly said that a father is the only person who wants to make his child bigger than himself.

Characteristics of student life:

Following are the many characteristics of student life.

Perfect things have been said about Vidya and Vidyarthi in Sanskrit Subhashitas

“Kakacheshta Bakodhyanam Swannidra and ch. Poor householder student Panchlakshanam”

That is, there are five characteristics of the student-

1. Must try like a crow. (all-round vision, quick observation ability)

2. There should be attention like a heron.

3. One should sleep like a dog. (get up after a short interruption)

4. Must be short-lived. (less eater)

5. Grihatyaggi (not much attached to his home and parents).

Sukharthi or Tyajet Vidya Vidyarthi or Tyajet Sukham.

Sukharthin: Kuto Vidya Vidyarthin: Kuto Sukham.

i.e., One who seeks happiness should give up learning, and one who seeks knowledge should give up satisfaction because knowledge cannot come to those who seek happiness, and where is a joy to those who seek knowledge?

Acharya padamadtte Padam shishya: sandhya. Padam Sabrahmcharibhyah Padam Chronology C. i.e., the student gets one-fourth of his knowledge from his teacher, one-fourth from his intellect, one-fourth from his classmates, and one-fourth from time (chronologically, from experience).

Today’s students are the future of our country. He should never wish to enjoy happiness in student life.

Thus, we have seen that student life is our most crucial time. When the problem can be solved quickly, the future can be taken in the right direction. Many times it happens that the student life gets distracted. In such a situation, do not get deluded and move towards what feels right.

Short Essay on Student Life in 250 words

Student life is a golden age of a student’s life. This is the most joyous and enjoyable time of human life. This life span starts from the childhood of 5 years and ends in youth. At this time, we are not worried about anything.

In this lifetime, the students’ minds are filled with noble thoughts. And there are many kinds of dreams in his eyes. By working hard at this time, he can fulfill the height he wants to achieve in his life. The taste he develops in student life will influence his behavior toward others in his future career. Therefore the correct and proper use of the term must be done with utmost care.

There is one goal or the other in the life of all the students; without a plan, there is no importance in student life. In a student’s life, his goal is essential in such a way that if you go to the market and come back without doing anything, it is absolutely useless for a person to go to the market in this situation. When a student adopts a goal in his life, leaves all his attachments, and pursues that goal, his student life becomes successful.

That is why it is essential to have some goals in your student life and your entire life. Somewhere some students set their goals but are afraid of the obstacles that come to fulfilling that goal. What will the people of the society say if they are not able to achieve their goal, then they are not able to complete it because of the idea of ​​what will happen?

Student Life Essay in English (100- 150 words)

For a student, his student life is essential. This is when students work hard to make their dreams come true. Student life is a disciplined life. In this, only through working hard and being disciplined does he get prestige and respect worldwide.

The only objective of the student in this life is to acquire complete knowledge. This time is the primary basis of the student’s future. Student life is an independent life.

A student has a wealth of qualities like virtue, guru-bhakti, perseverance, modesty, honesty, patriotism, selflessness, etc. This is a golden age of student life. This lifetime starts from the childhood of 5 years and ends in youth. Student life is like a white paper on which he stamps his hard work and writes down his future objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions on Student Life Essay

What is student life.

Answer: It is a part of life when a student spends his academic period, i.e., the time spent during school, collages, and university education. Student life is also called the golden life because, during this period, students spend most of their time reading and learning.

What is important in student life?

Answer: Student life is most important for any student because in this time we gain our knowledge. It is the phase when we begin to understand people; we realize the importance of friends in our life. For students, student life is full of joy and happiness. During this time, we are free from any worries and tension in our life.

What qualities should a good student have?

Answer: A good student has self-discipline, honesty, diligence, confidence, friendliness, a good follower, responsible, self-reliant, and teachable qualities.

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The life of students - Walter Benjamin

the life of a student essay

Benjamin makes an intelligent and eloquent case against the poverty of student life under capitalism in this early essay, written more than fifty years before the Situationists would tackle the same subject. He argues against the intellectual frigidity and alienation of the university as a factory of future workers, and for a genuine “community of learning.” Wider social issues that affect the university environment such as student activism, gender, and sexuality are also dealt with.

There is a view of history that puts its faith in the infinite extent of time and thus concerns itself only with the speed, or lack of it, with which people and epochs advance along the path of progress. This corresponds to a certain absence of coherence and rigor in the demands it makes on the present. The following remarks, in contrast, delineate a particular condition in which history appears to be concentrated in a single focal point, like those that have traditionally been found in the utopian images of the philosophers. The elements of the ultimate condition do not manifest themselves as formless progressive tendencies, but are deeply rooted in every present in the form of the most endangered, excoriated, and ridiculed ideas and products of the creative mind. The historical task is to disclose this immanent state of perfection and make it absolute, to make it visible and dominant in the present. This condition cannot be captured in terms of the pragmatic description of details (the history of institutions, customs, and so on); in fact, it eludes them. Rather, the task is to grasp its metaphysical structure, as with the messianic domain or the idea of the French Revolution. It is worth taking the trouble to describe the contemporary significance of students and the university, of the form of their present existence, only if they can be understood as a metaphor, as an image of the highest metaphysical state of history. Only then will it be comprehensible and possible. Such a description is neither a call to arms nor a manifesto; each of these is as futile as the other. But it casts light on the crisis that hitherto has lain buried in the nature of things. This crisis will lead on to the resolution that will overwhelm the craven-hearted and to which the stout-hearted will submit. The only way to deal with the historical significance of student life and the university is to focus on the system as a whole. So long as the preconditions needed for this are absent, the only possibility is to liberate the future from its deformations in the present by an act of cognition. This must be the exclusive task of criticism.

The question to address is that of the conscious unity of student life. This is the starting point, for there is no point in distinguishing between specific problems – of science, politics, or ethics – if the courage to submit is missing overall. What distinguishes student life is just the opposite of that: it is the will to submit to a principle, to identify completely with an idea. The concept of "science" or scholarly discipline [ Wissenschaft ] serves primarily to conceal a deep-rooted, bourgeois indifference. To measure student life by the yardstick of this science, does not necessarily imply any panlogism or intellectualism – as is commonly feared – but is a legitimate criticism, since science is normally adduced as the students' bulwark against "alien" demands. So our concern here must be with inner unity not with critique from outside. And our reply is that for the vast majority of students, academic study is nothing more than vocational training. Because "academic study has no bearing on life," it must be the exclusive determinant of the lives of those who pursue it. The innocently hypocritical reservations people have about science include the expectation that academic study must lead to a profession for all and sundry. Yet scholarship, far from leading inexorably to a profession, may in fact preclude it. For it does not permit you to abandon it; in a way, it places the student under an obligation to become a teacher, but never to embrace the official professions of doctor, lawyer, or university professor. It leads to no good if institutes that grant titles, qualifications, and other prerequisites for life or a profession are permitted to call themselves seats of learning. The objection that the modern state cannot otherwise produce the doctors, lawyers, and teachers it needs is irrelevant. It only illustrates the magnitude of the task entailed in creating a community of learning, as opposed to a body of officials and academically qualified people. It only shows how far the development of the professional apparatuses (through knowledge and skill) have forced the modern disciplines to abandon their original unity in the idea of knowledge, a unity which in their eyes has now become a mystery, if not a fiction. Anyone who accepts the modern state as a given and believes that everything must serve its development will be forced to reject these ideas. One can only hope that such a person will not call for state protection and support for "learning." For the true sign of decadence is not the collusion of the university and the state (something that is by no means incompatible with honest barbarity), but the theory and guarantee of academic freedom, when in reality people assume with brutal simplicity that the aim of study is to steer its disciples to a socially conceived individuality and service to the state. No tolerance of opinions and teachings, however free, can be beneficial, so long as there is no guarantee of a form of life that these ideas – the free ideas no less than the strict ones – imply so long as people can naively deny the huge gulf between ideas and life by pointing to the link between the universities and the state. It is misleading to raise expectations in the individual if the fulfilment of these expectations negates the spirit that unites these same individuals, and the only remarkable and even astounding point to be emphasized here is the extent to which institutes of higher learning are characterized by a gigantic game of hide-and-seek in which students and teachers, each in his or her own unified identity constantly push past one another without ever seeing one another. The students are always inferior to the teachers because they have no official status, and the legal constitution of the university – embodied in the minister of education, who is appointed by the sovereign, not by the university – is a barely veiled alliance of the academic authorities with the state over the heads of the students (and in rare welcome instances, over the heads of the teachers as well).

The uncritical and spineless acquiescence in this situation is an essential feature of student life. It is true that the so-called independent-student organizations [ Freie Studentenschaft ], as well as others with one social tendency or another, have attempted to resolve this problem. [1] Ultimately however, their answer lies in the complete assimilation of academic institutions into bourgeois conditions, and nothing has shown more clearly that the students of today as a community are incapable of even formulating the issue of the role of learning, or grasping its indissoluble protest against the vocational demands of the age. It is necessary to criticize the independent student organizations and the ideas of those close to them because it will throw light on their chaotic conception of academic life. To this end, I shall quote from a speech I gave to a student audience in the hope of contributing to a reform movement.

There is a very simple and reliable criterion by which to test the spiritual value of a community. It is to ask: Does it allow all of an individual's efforts to be expressed? Is the whole human being committed to it and indispensable to it? Or is the community as superfluous to each individual as he is to it? It is so easy to pose these questions, and so easy to answer them with reference to contemporary types of social community. And the answer is decisive. Everyone who achieves strives for totality, and the value of his achievement lies in that totality – that is, in the fact that the whole, undivided nature of a human being should be expressed in his achievement. But when determined by our society, as we see it today, achievement does not express a totality; it is completely fragmented and derivative. It is not uncommon for the community to be the site where a joint and covert struggle is waged against higher ambitions and more personal goals, but where a more profoundly organic individual development is obscured. The socially relevant achievement of the average person serves in the vast majority of cases to repress the original and nonderivative, inner aspirations of the human being. We are speaking here of academically trained people, people who for professional reasons have some kind of inner connection with the spiritual struggles and skeptical or critical attitudes of students. These people appropriate a milieu entirely alien to themselves and make it their workplace; in this remote place they create a limited activity for themselves, and the entire totality of such labor lies in its alleged utility for an often abstractly conceived society. There is no internal or authentic connection between the spiritual existence of a student and, say, his concern for the welfare of workers' children or even for other students. No connection, that is, apart from a concept of duty unrelated to his own inner labor. It is a concept based on a mechanical contrast: on the one hand, he has a stipend from the people; on the other, he is acting out his social duty. The concept of duty here is calculated, derivative, and distorted; it does not flow from the nature of the work itself. This sense of duty is satisfied not by suffering in the cause of truth, not by enduring all the doubts of an earnest seeker, or indeed by any set of beliefs connected with an authentic intellectual life. Instead this sense of duty is worked out in terms of a crude, superficial dualism, such as ideals versus materialism, or theory and practice. In a word, all that socially relevant labor represents not an ethical intensification but only the timid reaction of a spiritual life. Yet the deepest and most crucial objection is not that such socially relevant labor is simply left floating, abstractly opposed to the true activities of a student, and so constitutes an extreme and thoroughly reprehensible form of relativism, one incapable of any true synthesis and hence one that anxiously and timidly strives to ensure that every mental activity is accompanied by a physical one, every intellectual commitment by its opposite. The decisive factor, then, is not that socially relevant labor is nothing but an empty, undirected desire to be "useful." The truly decisive criticism is that despite all this it lays claim to the gesture of love, where only mechanical duty exists. This duty is often nothing more than a deflection of purpose, an evasion of the consequences of the critical, intellectual existence to which students are committed. For in reality a student is only a student because the problems of spiritual life are closer to his heart than the practice of social welfare. And last – and this is an infallible sign – this socially relevant student activity does not succeed in revolutionizing the conception and value of such social work in general. In the public mind, such work still seems to be a peculiar mixture of duty and charity on the part of the individual. Students have not been able to demonstrate its spiritual necessity and for that reason have never been able to establish a truly serious community based on it, as opposed to one bound by duty and self-interest. The Tolstoyan spirit, which laid bare the huge gulf between bourgeois and proletarian existence; the concept that service on behalf of the poor is the task of mankind, and not a spare-time student activity – that concept clearly called for a total commitment or nothing at all. The Tolstoyan spirit, which developed in the mind of the most deeply committed anarchists or in Christian monastic orders, this truly serious sense of social work, which had no need of childlike attempts to empathize with the soul of the workers or the people – this spirit failed to develop in student communities. The attempt to convert an academic community into a social-welfare organization failed because of the abstract nature of its object and the students' lack of inner connection with it. The totality of will [ des Wollenden ] could not find any expression, because in that community its will could not be directed toward the totality.

The symptomatic importance of these attempts on the part of the independent students, including Christian-Socialists and many others, is that in their desire to demonstrate their utility in the state and in life, they re-enact in the microcosm of the university that same conflict that we have noted in the relationship of the university to the state. They have conquered a sanctuary in the university for egoisms and altruisms of almost every kind, for every self-evident mode of being in the real world. Only radical doubt, fundamental critique, and the most important thing of all – the life that would be willing to dedicate itself to reconstruction – are excluded. What we see here is not the progressive spirit of the independent students as opposed to the reactionary power of the duelling fraternities. As we have tried to show, and as we can see from the uniformity and passivity of the universities as a whole, the independent students are very far from having a well-thought-out intellectual strategy. Their voice has not made itself heard on any of the issues that have been raised here. Their indecisiveness makes them inaudible. Their opposition runs on the well-oiled tracks of liberal politics; their social principles have not developed beyond the level of the liberal press. The independent students have not thought out the problem of the university, and to that extent it is bitter historical justice that on official occasions it is the duelling fraternities, who in the past did experience and confront the problem of the academic community, who now appear as the unworthy representatives of the student tradition. On fundamental issues the independent students do not display spirit that is any more exalted or determination that is any greater than those of the fraternities, and their influence is almost more pernicious than theirs. This influence is more deceptive and misleading, in that this undisciplined, bourgeois, and small-minded movement claims the role of champion and liberator in the life of the university. The modern student body cannot be found in the places where the conflicts over the spiritual rebirth of the nation are raging – in the controversies about a new art – or at the side of its writers and poets, or indeed at the sources of religious life. This is because the German student body does not exist as such. Not because it refuses to join in the latest "modern" movements, but because, as a student body, it is completely unaware of all these movements; because, as a student body it constantly drifts in the wake of public opinion; because it is courted and spoiled by every party and alliance, is flattered by everyone, and submits to all. And with all that, it remains in every respect devoid of the nobility that up to a century ago gave German students a visible profile and enabled them to step forward as the champions of life at its best.

The perversion of the creative spirit into the vocational spirit, which we see at work everywhere, has taken possession of the universities as a whole and has isolated them from the nonofficial, creative life of the mind. The mandarin contempt for the activities of independent artists and scholars who are alien and often hostile to the state is a painful proof of this. One of the most celebrated German university professors referred in a lecture to those "coffeehouse literati according to whom Christianity is finished." The tone and accuracy of this statement balance each other perfectly. And if a university organized in this way is hostile toward academic study, even though such study can pretend to have claims to "relevance" to the immediate concerns of the state, how much more sterile will its approach to the arts and Muses be? By directing students toward the professions, it must necessarily fail to understand direct creativity as a form of communal activity. In reality, the uncomprehending hostility of the academy toward the life that art requires can be interpreted as a rejection of every form of direct creativity that is unconnected with bureaucratic office. This is confirmed, in terms of inner consciousness, by the immaturity and schoolboyish outlook of the students. From the standpoint of aesthetic feeling, the most striking and painful aspect of the university is the mechanical reaction of the students as they listen to a lecture. Only a genuinely academic and sophisticated culture of conversation could compensate for this level of receptivity. And of course the seminars are worlds away from such a thing, since they too, mainly rely on the lecture format, and it makes little difference whether the speakers are teachers or students. The organization of the university has ceased to be grounded in the productivity of its students, as its founders had envisaged. They thought of students as teachers and learners at the same time; as teachers, because productivity implies complete autonomy, with their minds fixed on science instead of on their instructor's personality. But where office and profession are the ideas that govern student life, there can be no true learning. There can no longer be any question of a devotion to a form of knowledge that, it is feared, might lead them astray from the path of bourgeois security. There can be neither devotion to learning nor the dedication of life to a younger generation. Yet the vocation of teaching – albeit in forms that are quite different from those current today – is an imperative for any authentic learning. Such a hazardous self-dedication to learning and youth must manifest itself in the student as the ability to love, and it must be the source of his creativity. But by the same token he must also follow in the footsteps of his elders; he must acquire his learning from his teacher, without following him in his profession. With an easy conscience, he can take his leave of the community that binds him to other producers, since that community derives its general form exclusively from philosophy. He should be an active producer, philosopher, and teacher all in one, and all these things should be part of his deepest and most essential nature. This is what defines his profession and his life. The community of creative human beings elevates every field of study to the universal through the form of philosophy. Such universality is not achieved by confronting lawyers with literary questions, or doctors with legal ones (as various student groups have attempted). It can be brought about only if the community ensures that specialized studies (which cannot exist without a profession in mind) and all the activities of the special disciplines are firmly subordinated to the community of the university as such, since it alone is the creator and guardian of philosophy as a form of community. This philosophy, in turn, should concern itself not with limited technical philosophical matters but with the great metaphysical questions of Plato and Spinoza, the Romantics, and Nietzsche. This, rather than conducted tours through welfare institutions, is what would create the closest links between life and the professions, albeit a life more deeply conceived. This is what would prevent the degeneration of study into the heaping up of information. The task of students is to rally round the university, which itself would be in a position to impart the systematic state of knowledge, together with the cautious and precise but daring applications of new methodologies. Students who conceived their role in this way would greatly resemble the amorphous waves of the populace that surround the prince's palace, which serves as the space for an unceasing spiritual revolution – a point from which new questions would be incubated, in a more ambitious, less clear, less precise way, but perhaps with greater profundity than the traditional scientific questions. The creativity of students might then enable us to regard them as the great transformers whose task is to seize upon new ideas, which spring up sooner in art and society than in the university, and mould them into scientific shape under the guidance of their philosophical approach.

The secret tyranny of vocational training is not the worst of the deformations, whose appalling effect is that they invariably poison the essence of creative life. There is also a commonplace view of life that trades intellectual activity for various surrogates. It has met with increasing success in disguising the hazards of a life of the mind and hence in ridiculing the few surviving visionaries as starry-eyed dreamers. A deeper problem arises from the unconscious distortion of student life by the dominant erotic conventions. Just as the vocational ideology of the professions has become the accepted truth and has fully monopolized the intellectual conscience, so, too, does the concept of marriage, the idea of the family, weigh upon the notion of eros. The erotic seems to have vanished from a space that extends, empty and undefined, between childhood and founding a family of one's own. Whether unity might exist between creating and procreating, and whether this unity is to be found in the family – these questions could not be posed, so long as the tacit expectation of marriage went unquestioned, since this implied an illegitimate interlude in which the most that one could do was to erect barriers to temptation. The eros of creativity – if any group were in a position to understand it and strive to achieve it, it would have to be the student body. But even when external bourgeois conditions were absent and no prospect of founding a family existed; even where, as in many European cities, a hydra-headed mass of women based their entire economic existence on students (through prostitution) – even in such places students failed to ask questions about the eros appropriate to themselves. They must surely have questioned whether procreation and creativity should remain separate, whether the one should apply to the family and the other to their profession, and whether, since both were distorted by this separation, neither should flow from the existence peculiar to itself. For painful and humiliating though it may be to put such a question to contemporary students, it cannot be avoided, since these two poles of human existence are closely connected chronologically. We are faced by a question that no community can leave unresolved, and which nevertheless no nation has been able to answer since the Greeks and the early Christians. The question has always weighed heavily on the great creative minds: How could they do justice to the image of mankind and at the same time share a community with women and children, whose productivity is of a different kind? The Greeks, as we know, resolved the problem by force. They subordinated procreation to creativity, so that in the long run, by excluding women and children from the life of their state, they brought about its collapse. The Christians provided a possible solution for the civitas dei : they repudiated separate existence in either sphere. The most progressive among the students have never gone further than endless aestheticizing talk of camaraderie with women students. They did not shrink from hoping for a "healthy" neutralization of the erotic in both men and women. And in fact, with the aid of prostitutes the erotic has been neutralized in the universities. And where it wasn't, it was replaced by an unrestrained harmlessness, a heady atmosphere of high spirits, and the unladylike young coed has been boisterously welcomed as the successor to the ugly old spinster teacher. It is difficult to resist the general observation here that the Catholic Church has a much greater (though timid) instinctive appreciation of the power and inexorable demands of the erotic than does the bourgeoisie. In the universities, a huge problem lies buried, unresolved, and denied. It is a problem that is much larger than the countless causes of friction in society. It is this: How are we to unify spiritual life, when what we find before us is the lamentable division into the intellectual autonomy of the creative spirit (in the fraternities) and an unmastered force of nature (in prostitution) – a distorted and fragmented torso of the one erotic spirit? To transform the necessary independence of the creative spirit and to bring about the necessary inclusion of women, who are not productive in a masculine sense, in a single community of creative persons – through love – this indeed is the goal to which students should aspire, because it is the form of their own lives. At present, however, we are so dominated by murderous conventions that students have not even brought themselves to confess their guilt toward prostitutes. Moreover, people still imagine that this whole blasphemous process of human destruction can be halted by appeals to chastity because they lack the courage to look their own more beautiful erotic nature in the face. This mutilation of youth goes too deep to waste many words on it. Rather, it should be entrusted to the minds of those who think and the resoluteness of the intrepid. It is inaccessible to polemic.

How does the younger generation regard itself? What image does it have of itself, if it can permit such an obscuring of its own ideas, such a distortion of its own values? This image has been formed by the fraternities, and they are still the most visible embodiment of the student conception of youth, at which other students, with the free-student organizations at their head, hurl their social slogans. German students are to a greater or lesser degree obsessed with the idea that they have to enjoy their youth. The entirely irrational period of waiting for marriage and a profession had to be given some value or other, and it had to be a playful, pseudo-romantic one that would help pass the time. A terrible stigma still attaches to the much-vaunted light-hearted fun of student songs, of the "Gaudeamus igitur . . ." It represents a fear of the future and simultaneously a complacent pact with the inevitable philistinism that one likes to picture fondly to oneself in the shape of the "old boys." [2] But because students have sold their souls to the bourgeoisie, along with marriage and profession, they insist on those few years of bourgeois freedom. This exchange is effected in the name of youth. Openly or in secret – in a bar or amid deafening speeches at student meetings, a dearly purchased state of intoxication is created, the right to which is not to be denied. This experience arises between a squandered youth and a bought-out old age that longs for peace and quiet, and it is here that every attempt to inspire students with higher ideals has come to grief. Yet just as this way of life makes a mockery of every reality, as revenge it finds itself punished by every natural and spiritual power, by science through the agency of the state, by eros through the agency of prostitutes, and thus, as decimation, by nature. For students are not the younger generation; they are the aging generation. For those who have wasted their early years in German schools, it is a heroic decision to acknowledge the onset of age, when their university years appeared to offer them at long last the prospect of a youth full of life, only to postpone it year after year. Nevertheless it is important to recognize that they have to be creative producers, and therefore lonely aging people, and that a richer generation of children and youths has already been born, to whom they can only dedicate themselves as teachers. Of all feelings, this is the strangest for them. This is why they cannot accept their existence and are ill-prepared to live with children from the outset – for that is what is involved in being a teacher – because children have not yet entered the sphere of loneliness. Because they do not acknowledge the process of aging, they idle their time away. To have admitted their yearning for a beautiful childhood and worthy youth is the precondition of creativity. Without that admission, without the regret for a greatness missed, no renewal of their lives can be possible. It is the fear of loneliness that is responsible for their lack of erotic commitment, a fear of surrendering themselves. They measure themselves against their fathers, not against posterity, and this is how they salvage the illusion of their youth. Their friendship is bereft of greatness and loneliness. That expansive friendship between creative minds, with its sense of infinity and its concern for humanity as a whole even when those minds are alone together or when they experience yearning in solitude, has no place in the lives of university students. In its place, there is only that fraternizing which is both unbridled and personally limited. It remains the same whether they are drinking in a bar or founding societies in cafés. All these institutions are nothing but a marketplace for the preliminary and provisional, like the bustling activity in lecture halls and cafés; they are simply there to fill the empty waiting time, diversions from the voice that summons them to build their lives with a unified spirit of creative action, eros, and youth. There is a chaste and abstemious form of youth that reveres those who are to succeed it, and that is echoed in Stefan George's lines:

Inventors of rolling verse and sparkling dialogues by quick-witted orators: time and distance allow me to engrave on my memory my former foe. Do likewise! For on the scale of ecstasy and passion we are both in decline; Nevermore will the praise and rejoicing of youth flatter me; Never again will verses thunder thus in your ear. [3]

Faintheartedness has alienated the lives of students from insights like this. But every way of life, with its own specific rhythm, follows from the commandments that determine the lives of the creative. So long as they shy away from these, their existence will punish them with ugliness, and hopeless despair will strike the hearts of even the dullest. At present it is this highly endangered necessity that is still the issue; it requires strict control. Everyone will discover his own imperatives, the commandments that will make the supreme demands on his life. Through understanding, everyone will succeed in liberating the future from its deformed existence in the womb of the present.

Written in 1914-1915; published in Der neue Merkur 1915, and republished in Walter Benjamin, Selected Writings Volume 1, 1913-1926 (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA: 1996).Translated by Rodney Livingstone.

[1] - Freie Studentenschaft : A radical group of university students that emerged from the German Youth Movement. These "independent students" were opposed both to the conservative duelling fraternities ( Korps ), which traced their lineage back to the nationalism of the Romantic movement, and to the more recent Wandervögel movement with its back-to-nature ideology. Benjamin was elected president of the Berlin branch of the Freie Studentenschaft in the spring semester of 1914, and held this post until the outbreak of the First World War.---Trans. [2] - Old boys: The alten Herrn are the former members of fraternities who still retain influence in these organizations and are sources of patronage for the next generation.---Trans. [3] - Stefan George, "H.H.," in The Year of the Soul [ Das Jahr der Seele ].---Trans.

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What Life Was Like for Students in the Pandemic Year

the life of a student essay

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In this video, Navajo student Miles Johnson shares how he experienced the stress and anxiety of schools shutting down last year. Miles’ teacher shared his experience and those of her other students in a recent piece for Education Week. In these short essays below, teacher Claire Marie Grogan’s 11th grade students at Oceanside High School on Long Island, N.Y., describe their pandemic experiences. Their writings have been slightly edited for clarity. Read Grogan’s essay .

“Hours Staring at Tiny Boxes on the Screen”

By Kimberly Polacco, 16

I stare at my blank computer screen, trying to find the motivation to turn it on, but my finger flinches every time it hovers near the button. I instead open my curtains. It is raining outside, but it does not matter, I will not be going out there for the rest of the day. The sound of pounding raindrops contributes to my headache enough to make me turn on my computer in hopes that it will give me something to drown out the noise. But as soon as I open it up, I feel the weight of the world crash upon my shoulders.

Each 42-minute period drags on by. I spend hours upon hours staring at tiny boxes on a screen, one of which my exhausted face occupies, and attempt to retain concepts that have been presented to me through this device. By the time I have the freedom of pressing the “leave” button on my last Google Meet of the day, my eyes are heavy and my legs feel like mush from having not left my bed since I woke up.

Tomorrow arrives, except this time here I am inside of a school building, interacting with my first period teacher face to face. We talk about our favorite movies and TV shows to stream as other kids pile into the classroom. With each passing period I accumulate more and more of these tiny meaningless conversations everywhere I go with both teachers and students. They may not seem like much, but to me they are everything because I know that the next time I am expected to report to school, I will be trapped in the bubble of my room counting down the hours until I can sit down in my freshly sanitized wooden desk again.

“My Only Parent Essentially on Her Death Bed”

By Nick Ingargiola, 16

My mom had COVID-19 for ten weeks. She got sick during the first month school buildings were shut. The difficulty of navigating an online classroom was already overwhelming, and when mixed with my only parent essentially on her death bed, it made it unbearable. Focusing on schoolwork was impossible, and watching my mother struggle to lift up her arm broke my heart.

My mom has been through her fair share of diseases from pancreatic cancer to seizures and even as far as a stroke that paralyzed her entire left side. It is safe to say she has been through a lot. The craziest part is you would never know it. She is the strongest and most positive person I’ve ever met. COVID hit her hard. Although I have watched her go through life and death multiple times, I have never seen her so physically and mentally drained.

I initially was overjoyed to complete my school year in the comfort of my own home, but once my mom got sick, I couldn’t handle it. No one knows what it’s like to pretend like everything is OK until they are forced to. I would wake up at 8 after staying up until 5 in the morning pondering the possibility of losing my mother. She was all I had. I was forced to turn my camera on and float in the fake reality of being fine although I wasn’t. The teachers tried to keep the class engaged by obligating the students to participate. This was dreadful. I didn’t want to talk. I had to hide the distress in my voice. If only the teachers understood what I was going through. I was hesitant because I didn’t want everyone to know that the virus that was infecting and killing millions was knocking on my front door.

After my online classes, I was required to finish an immense amount of homework while simultaneously hiding my sadness so that my mom wouldn’t worry about me. She was already going through a lot. There was no reason to add me to her list of worries. I wasn’t even able to give her a hug. All I could do was watch.

“The Way of Staying Sane”

By Lynda Feustel, 16

Entering year two of the pandemic is strange. It barely seems a day since last March, but it also seems like a lifetime. As an only child and introvert, shutting down my world was initially simple and relatively easy. My friends and I had been super busy with the school play, and while I was sad about it being canceled, I was struggling a lot during that show and desperately needed some time off.

As March turned to April, virtual school began, and being alone really set in. I missed my friends and us being together. The isolation felt real with just my parents and me, even as we spent time together. My friends and I began meeting on Facetime every night to watch TV and just be together in some way. We laughed at insane jokes we made and had homework and therapy sessions over Facetime and grew closer through digital and literal walls.

The summer passed with in-person events together, and the virus faded into the background for a little while. We went to the track and the beach and hung out in people’s backyards.

Then school came for us in a more nasty way than usual. In hybrid school we were separated. People had jobs, sports, activities, and quarantines. Teachers piled on work, and the virus grew more present again. The group text put out hundreds of messages a day while the Facetimes came to a grinding halt, and meeting in person as a group became more of a rarity. Being together on video and in person was the way of staying sane.

In a way I am in a similar place to last year, working and looking for some change as we enter the second year of this mess.

“In History Class, Reports of Heightening Cases”

By Vivian Rose, 16

I remember the moment my freshman year English teacher told me about the young writers’ conference at Bread Loaf during my sophomore year. At first, I didn’t want to apply, the deadline had passed, but for some strange reason, the directors of the program extended it another week. It felt like it was meant to be. It was in Vermont in the last week of May when the flowers have awakened and the sun is warm.

I submitted my work, and two weeks later I got an email of my acceptance. I screamed at the top of my lungs in the empty house; everyone was out, so I was left alone to celebrate my small victory. It was rare for them to admit sophomores. Usually they accept submissions only from juniors and seniors.

That was the first week of February 2020. All of a sudden, there was some talk about this strange virus coming from China. We thought nothing of it. Every night, I would fall asleep smiling, knowing that I would be able to go to the exact conference that Robert Frost attended for 42 years.

Then, as if overnight, it seemed the virus had swung its hand and had gripped parts of the country. Every newscast was about the disease. Every day in history, we would look at the reports of heightening cases and joke around that this could never become a threat as big as Dr. Fauci was proposing. Then, March 13th came around--it was the last day before the world seemed to shut down. Just like that, Bread Loaf would vanish from my grasp.

“One Day Every Day Won’t Be As Terrible”

By Nick Wollweber, 17

COVID created personal problems for everyone, some more serious than others, but everyone had a struggle.

As the COVID lock-down took hold, the main thing weighing on my mind was my oldest brother, Joe, who passed away in January 2019 unexpectedly in his sleep. Losing my brother was a complete gut punch and reality check for me at 14 and 15 years old. 2019 was a year of struggle, darkness, sadness, frustration. I didn’t want to learn after my brother had passed, but I had to in order to move forward and find my new normal.

Routine and always having things to do and places to go is what let me cope in the year after Joe died. Then COVID came and gave me the option to let up and let down my guard. I struggled with not wanting to take care of personal hygiene. That was the beginning of an underlying mental problem where I wouldn’t do things that were necessary for everyday life.

My “coping routine” that got me through every day and week the year before was gone. COVID wasn’t beneficial to me, but it did bring out the true nature of my mental struggles and put a name to it. Since COVID, I have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I began taking antidepressants and going to therapy a lot more.

COVID made me realize that I’m not happy with who I am and that I needed to change. I’m still not happy with who I am. I struggle every day, but I am working towards a goal that one day every day won’t be as terrible.

Coverage of social and emotional learning is supported in part by a grant from the NoVo Foundation, at www.novofoundation.org . Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage. A version of this article appeared in the March 31, 2021 edition of Education Week as What Life Was Like for Students in the Pandemic Year

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Susan Maffe, director of Food and Nutrition Services for Meriden Public Schools, hands a hot dog and vegetable packs to Saviyon Cole, 6 of Meriden, Conn., during the Local Food Taste Tests and Free Summer Meals event at the Meriden Green, Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

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School Essay

  • Essay On The Life Of A Student
  • Post category: Essay
  • Reading time: 4 mins read

Student life is that time of life, which we spend in school and later in college. There is a popular saying, ‘As we sow, so shall we reap’. What we sow in these years we shall reap in the future. One’s whole future depends on the quality of student life that is spent. Thus, student life acts as the foundation of one’s future. During these important years, every effort should be made to make this footing strong.

It is true that the life of a student in the preparation for future challenges. Every student must be aware of the duties and responsibilities that are expected by the elders. During school life, a student should learn good manners, good habits, discipline, and etiquette. Concentration on the studies should be his main aim.

The first thing a student should keep in his mind is the importance of hard work, dedication, honesty, loyalty, helpful nature, and respecting his parents, elders, and teachers. He must avoid wasting his valuable time during these years. As a student, one should devote maximum time to studies. A student should realize that once the time is gone, it never comes back.

Our elders say that if we wish to control various things in later life, we must first learn to obey others. As a student, we are too small to do many things. We fail to understand what is good and bad for us. Thus, we must always obey our parents and teachers. We must do our work under their guidance. A safe distance from immature friends must be kept and we must avoid taking their advice. A person is known by the company in which he stays. Friends should be selected with great care. 111-behaved friends should be avoided.

During these crucial years of student life, one should acquire maximum knowledge through observation and reading. He should also work hard towards a healthy and strong body.

As a student, we must always remember that we are the future of our nation. Most importantly, we are amongst the blessed children to be educated. Student life is a creative stage of our lives. A strong base must be laid for a bright and colorful future.

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College essays that worked and how yours can too.

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CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 08: A view of Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University on ... [+] July 08, 2020 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have sued the Trump administration for its decision to strip international college students of their visas if all of their courses are held online. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The college essay is a pivotal piece of the college application showcasing your individuality and differentiated outlook to admissions officers. What makes an essay truly shine? Let’s dive into the words behind three standout essays highlighted by university websites and a school newspaper's brand studio so you can get into the right mindset for crafting your own narrative.

Embracing Differences: Finding Strength In Uniqueness

Essay Excerpt: ‘Bra Shopping ’ (Harvard)

Featured by the Harvard Crimson Brand Studio , Orlee's essay recounts a student's humorous and insightful experience of bra shopping with her grandmother, weaving in her unique family dynamics and challenges at her prestigious school.

What Works:

  • Humor and Honesty: The student's humor makes the essay enjoyable to read, while her honesty about her challenges adds depth.
  • Self-Awareness: She demonstrates a strong sense of self-awareness, embracing her uniqueness rather than trying to fit in.
  • Resilience: Her narrative highlights resilience and the ability to find strength in differences.

For Your Essay : To write an essay that embraces your uniqueness, start by identifying a quirky or challenging experience that reflects who a key insight into your experience. Think about how this experience has shaped your perspective and character. Use humor and honesty to bring your story to life, and focus on how you have embraced your differences to become stronger and more resilient.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, finding connections: humor and self-reflection.

Essay: ‘Brood X Cicadas ’ (Hamilton College)

As an example on Hamilton's admissions website, Nicholas writes about the cicadas swarming his hometown every 17 years and draws a parallel between their emergence and his own transition to college life. He uses humor and self-reflection to create a relatable and engaging narrative.

  • Humor: Nicholas uses humor to make his essay entertaining and memorable. His witty comparisons between himself and cicadas add a unique twist.
  • Self-Reflection: By comparing his life to the cicadas’, he reflects on his own growth and readiness for change.
  • Relatability: His narrative about facing new experiences and challenges resonates with readers who have undergone similar transitions.

For Your Essay: To infuse humor and self-reflection into your essay, start by identifying an ordinary experience or object and think about how it relates to your life. Write down funny or insightful observations about this connection. Use humor to make your essay more engaging, but ensure it still conveys meaningful self-reflection. This balance can make your essay both entertaining and profound.

Persistence and Multicultural Identity: Life Lessons From Tortilla Making

Essay: ‘ Facing The Hot Griddle ’ (Johns Hopkins University)

In this essay published by Hopkins Insider, Rocio uses the process of making tortillas to explore her multicultural identity and the challenges she has faced. Her story beautifully weaves together her Guatemalan heritage and her experiences growing up in the United States.

  • Metaphor and Symbolism: The process of making tortillas becomes a powerful metaphor for the student’s journey and struggles. The symbolism of the masa harina and water mixing parallels her blending of cultural identities.
  • Personal Growth: The essay highlights her perseverance and adaptability, qualities that are crucial for success in college.
  • Cultural Insight: She provides a rich, personal insight into her multicultural background, making her story unique and compelling.

For Your Essay: To write an essay that explores your identity through a metaphor, start by thinking about an activity or tradition that holds significant meaning for you. Consider how this activity relates to your life experiences and personal growth. Use detailed descriptions to bring the activity to life and draw connections between the process and your own journey. Reflect on the lessons you've learned and how they've shaped your identity.

A winning college essay isn’t simply about parading your best accomplishment or dramatizing your challenges. It’s not a contest for which student is the most original or entertaining. Rather, the essay is a chance for you to showcase your authenticity, passion, resilience, social awareness, and intellectual vitality . By sharing genuine stories and insights, you can create an essay that resonates with admissions committees and highlights your unique qualities.

For you to have the best possible essay, mindset is key. Here’s how to get into the zone:

  • Reflect Deeply: Spend time thinking about your experiences, challenges, and passions. Journaling can help you uncover deep insights.
  • Discuss and Share: Talking about your stories with friends, family, or mentors can provide new perspectives and emotional clarity.
  • Immerse Yourself: Engage in activities that you are passionate about to reignite the feelings and memories associated with them.
  • Draft Freely: Don’t worry about perfection on the first try. Write freely and honestly, then refine your narrative.

The secret to a standout college essay lies in its authenticity, depth, and emotional resonance. By learning from these successful examples and getting into the right mindset, you can craft an essay that not only stands out but also provides a meaningful insight into who you are. Remember, your essay is your story—make it a piece of writing that you will always be proud of.

Dr. Aviva Legatt

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Speech on Student Life: Long and Short Speech in English

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  • Jun 26, 2024

speech on students life

Student time is fun and full of excitement. There is an entire world out there waiting for you to explore. As students, we learn from books and grow physically, emotionally, and mentally. A student’s life is filled with opportunities to learn, but it also presents challenges to success. In this section, we’ll look at the samples of speech on student life. Continue reading to discover more.

the life of a student essay

Long Speech on Student Life

Good morning to all the respected teachers and students, Today, I am honoured to speak in front of you all about a crucial time in our lives: student life. This time is filled with learning, growth, challenges, and unforgettable memories. It forms our character, and personality, and creates the foundations for the future.

Students’ lives begin the moment they enter the classroom. This journey is filled with knowledge and self-discovery from primary to higher education. Academics are fundamental to student life. Academic achievements are more than just grades or degrees; they also show dedication, hard work, and the ability to overcome challenges. Some of the skills developed throughout student life include time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

While academics are vital, the essence of student life goes beyond textbooks. Extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, music, and various clubs contribute significantly to overall growth. These activities develop several skills in students, including leadership and teamwork. They allow students to pursue their interests and show their creativity. Friendship and social interaction are an important element of students’ lives. These bonds enrich our lives by providing support and companionship throughout life. 

The student’s life is full of opportunities that pave the road for a bright future. This phase in a student’s life helps them build a strong sense of identity and self-worth, as well as a grasp of their own strengths and areas for improvement. Schools and institutions that provide exchange programmes, study tours, and online courses also allow students to interact on a global level.

Extracurricular activities help students develop leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and a platform to showcase their innovations and entrepreneurship. These experiences are crucial, as they instil confidence and prepare them for leadership roles in their future careers.

Despite numerous joys and opportunities, a student’s life is filled with challenges that test their resilience and determination. One of the most significant problems in a student’s life is the pressure to succeed academically. Students strive for good marks despite their fear of failing. This pressure can cause stress and worry, affecting both the student’s mental and physical well-being. Aside from that, financial constraints might be a hindrance to student life. The cost of education, which includes tuition, books, and living expenses, might be too high. This financial strain can lead to students choosing part-time jobs, which may negatively impact with their studies. 

Students often find it difficult to manage several tasks. Managing academic stress extracurricular activities, and personal life is critical for successful time management and balancing these responsibilities. Peer pressure, societal expectations, and a lack of personal commitment can all have an impact on students’ self-esteem and mental health.

In conclusion, student life is a journey of learning and growth. It is the time to explore new opportunities and overcome challenges. All of this experience helps students prepare for future careers while also developing their character and personality. It is our responsibility as educators, parents, and mentors to provide children with opportunities to develop.
Thank You!

Also Read: Speech About Life for Students in English

Short Speech on Student Life

Good morning to all the teachers and students, I feel honoured to stand before you all and discuss the incredible journey of student life. This is a period for growth, learning, and discovery. As students, we embark on a journey full of academic challenges and personal growth.

Student life is more than just getting excellent grades and completing assignments. It is about getting knowledge and improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Beyond academics, it includes extracurricular activities that allow us to discover our talents and passions while developing leadership skills through teamwork.

However, student life comes with its challenges. The pressure to succeed academically, financial constraints, and balancing schoolwork and personal life can be challenging. Despite these obstacles, each one contributes to our growth as individuals and professionals, preparing us for our future endeavours.

One of the most valuable aspects of a student’s life is the relationships they build. Friendships formed during these periods last a lifetime and provide companionship. These connections improve our lives while teaching us valuable lessons about trust, empathy, and cooperation.

To summarise, student life is full of learning, growth, opportunity, and obstacles. It builds the foundation for the future, forming our personalities and preparing us for future challenges. Let us celebrate the spirit of student life and acknowledge its significant impact on both individuals and society. 
Thank you!

Also Read: Speech on If I Had A Superpower…

Ans: The student’s life is full of opportunities that pave the road for a bright future. It helps them build a strong sense of identity and self-worth, as well as a grasp of their own strengths and areas for improvement.  Schools and institutions that provide exchange programmes, study tours, and online courses also allow students to interact on a global level.  Extracurricular activities help students develop leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and a platform to showcase their innovations and entrepreneurship. 

Ans: A student’s life is filled with challenges that test their resilience and determination. One of the most significant problems in a student’s life is the pressure to succeed academically.  Students strive for good marks despite their fear of failing. This pressure can cause stress and worry, affecting both the student’s mental and physical well-being.  Financial constraints might be a hindrance to student life, which can negatively affect their studies. Students often find it difficult to manage several tasks.  Peer pressure, societal expectations, and a lack of personal commitment can all have an impact on students’ self-esteem and mental health.

Ans: While academics are vital, the essence of student life goes beyond textbooks. Extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, music, and various clubs contribute significantly to overall growth. These activities develop several skills in students, including leadership and teamwork. They allow students to pursue their interests and show their creativity. 

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The 5 best scholarships for college students.

the life of a student essay

Key takeaways

Using multiple search engines can help you find a wide variety of scholarship opportunities

Stay organized as you apply to avoid missed deadlines or incomplete submissions

Browse social media websites and popular hashtags to find options not listed on scholarship search engines

With student loan debt continuing to affect borrowers for years, even decades, after graduation, it’s more important than ever for college students to lower their tuition bill. Scholarships, or college aid that never has to be repaid, are one way to reduce education-related costs. They offer students the chance to showcase unique skills, backgrounds and perspectives to earn money for college.

Scholarships aren’t limited to high school seniors; there are plenty of scholarships for current college students. The best scholarships to apply for are ones that you qualify for and win. To get an idea of what scholarships are out there, here are some great options to consider — and some tips on how to find the perfect scholarship for you.

Where to find undergraduate scholarships worth applying for

One of the best ways to find college scholarships is to utilize scholarship search engines that compile scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students. These include:

CollegeScholarships.org

College Board

Going Merry

ScholarshipOwl

Scholarships.com

On these sites, you can usually filter scholarships by the deadline, grade level, amount awarded and more. Most sites let you create a profile to receive email alerts when a new scholarship matching your parameters pops up.

But don’t limit your search to just these sites. Look for specific scholarships on Google using keywords that apply to you. For example, if you’re studying journalism, search for “journalism scholarship” to find relevant opportunities.

You can also follow scholarship hashtags like #scholarship, #scholarships, #scholarshipopportunities and #collegescholarship on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter). When you click on a post with one of these hashtags, scroll down to find other relevant hashtags and follow those too.

5 scholarships for current college students worth applying for

There are hundreds of college scholarships out there, and the best way to find ones you qualify for is to use a search engine. However, these five scholarships are a good place to start.

1. U.S. Bank Student Scholarship Program

The U.S. Bank Scholarship Program is a unique way for current students to gain financial literacy while entering to win scholarships. Instead of submitting an essay, college students download an app and complete free lessons on personal finance topics. The scholarship award increases as students complete more modules. For example, students who complete 25+ modules will be entered to win up to $2,500, while students who complete 150+ modules will be entered to win up to $20,000.

Applicants are required to register on the U.S. Bank scholarship site and then follow instructions to download the U.S. Bank version of the Zogo app, where they complete the learning modules. As you complete modules, you’ll be entered to win different scholarship amounts.

Amount: $2,500-$20,000 Application deadline: June 30 and October 30, 2024 Apply here: https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/student-scholarship.html

2. Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship

Cat Zingano is an MMA fighter passionate about helping students fight through hardships in daily life and after tragedies. The Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship is specifically offered to students who have experienced a loss in their families. The winner is selected based on a 200- to 800-word essay on the topic “How has the loss of a close family member or loved one caused you to focus on what matters most in your life and what you want to ‘fight’ to achieve?”

Amount: $10,000 Application deadline: July 20, 2024 Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/cat-zingano-scholarship/

3. Employment BOOST College Scholarship

Employment BOOST College Scholarships are awarded quarterly to high school students accepted to college and current college students. Employment BOOST offers two awards: one scholarship for students in any major (including those undecided) and one for students majoring in business or STEM.

Applicants must submit a letter of reference and a 500- to 1,000-word essay. The topic of the essay is either a response to an Allen Ginsberg poem or a description of how technology will change the applicant’s way of life in 15 years — the essay topic depends on the applicant’s major. Students must also have a GPA of at least 3.6 to qualify.

Amount: $1,000 Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis Apply here: https://employmentboost.com/scholarship

4. Sallie Mae Scholarship

The Sallie Mae scholarship is an easy way for current college students to potentially win tuition money as Sallie Mae’s goal is to help students successfully navigate financing college. As a current college student, the only requirement is that you are enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S.

The award is given monthly. Applicants will need to submit the short entry form on Sallie Mae ‘s website. If a submission is received after the current deadline, it will be considered for the next one.

Amount: $2,000 Application deadline: Awarded on a monthly basis Apply here: https://www.salliemae.com/scholarships/2k-scholarship/

5. Clubs of America Scholarship Program

The Clubs of America Scholarship Program was created to help current college students achieve their career aspirations. Any current college student of an accredited U.S. college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is eligible. Applicants have to write an essay of at least 600 words detailing their career aspirations and how their current studies will help. Students have the option of submitting a YouTube video as well.

Amount: $1,000 Application deadline: August 31, 2024 Apply here: https://www.greatclubs.com/scholarship/

Bankrate insight

While scholarships are a great way to pay for your education, having a budget is also important for your financial health. Check out our college student budget calculator to help you plan out the year.

Applying for multiple scholarships can get confusing, especially when juggling different requirements and due dates. The key is to stay organized and create a system for managing scholarships.

Many scholarships have similar requirements, so keep digital copies of important documents, like your most recent transcript, a reference letter and a list of your extracurricular activities. To stay organized, use a spreadsheet to track deadlines and set calendar reminders a week before the application is due. Keeping all this information in one place will make it easier to apply for more awards. The more scholarships you apply for, the easier it will be to find the money for school and help reduce the amount of federal or private student loans you take out, so try to apply for as many as you qualify for.

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HOLIDAY: All Library locations closed Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day. More Info

Arlington Public Library

Pride Month Collection Spotlight: The Jay Fisette Papers

Post Published: June 27, 2024

The Charlie Clark Center for Local History features a new collection of archival materials donated by Jay Fisette, RG 387: Personal Papers of Jay Fisette, 1992-2018 .

In 1997, Fisette became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to office in the state of Virginia when he won a seat on the Arlington County Board. He served for six terms on the Board between 1998 and 2017 and served as Board Chair five times, making him the second-longest-serving board member in Arlington County’s history after Ellen Bozman (in office 1974-1997).

Headshot of Jay Fisette from 1997.

Headshot of Jay Fisette, newly elected to the Arlington County Board in 1997. All images included in this post are from RG 387: Personal Papers of Jay Fisette.

After moving to Arlington in 1983 to pursue a career in the federal government, Fisette became involved in community service. He joined the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (now Equality NoVA ) in 1988 and successfully advocated for the inclusion of sexual orientation protections in the county’s human rights ordinance. In 1989, he joined the Ashton Heights Civic Association , which helped spark his interest in local politics. From 1990 to 1998, Fisette served as the director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia, a non-profit community health center that specialized in HIV/AIDS care.

Fisette first ran for a vacant County Board seat in the 1993 special election. His candidacy and primary victory came as a surprise given that he was open about his sexuality throughout the campaign. Although Fisette lost the general election in 1993, he ran again in 1997 and won 62% of the votes.

Front of Postcard from Jay Fisette campaign.

Front and back of a postcard from the 2009 County Board election urging Arlingtonians to vote for Fisette, featuring his dogs Cassie and Chocco.

During his time in office, he continued to dedicate himself to supporting various local and regional organizations including the Arlington Arts Center ( now the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington ), Arlingtonians for a Better County, the Arlington Committee of 100 , the Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club, and many more.

A pamphlet from 1996 created by the Human Rights Campaign.

A pamphlet from 1996 created by the Human Rights Campaign entitled “A Manual for Candidates: Questions you will be asked about lesbian and gay issues during your campaign.”

One of Fisette’s first acts as a County Board member was to write and pass a hate crimes resolution immediately following the death of Matthew Shepard in 1998. He was recognized for his exceptional service as Board Chair while helping guide Arlington County’s response to the September 11th terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

A flyer for Arlington's Day of Remembrance and Appreciation.

A flyer for Arlington’s Day of Remembrance and Appreciation on October 7, 2001.

During his tenure, Fisette prioritized environmental sustainability and fiscal responsibility. A bicycling enthusiast in his personal life, he was a major contributor to Capital BikeShare ’s establishment and success in the Washington Metropolitan region.

Jay Fisette on his bike.

Jay Fisette riding his bicycle, 1997.

To learn more about Jay Fisette and his impact on Arlington County, you can listen to his oral history interview or contact us to see the Jay Fisette Papers .

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Essay on Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on life.

First of all, Life refers to an aspect of existence. This aspect processes acts, evaluates, and evolves through growth. Life is what distinguishes humans from inorganic matter. Some individuals certainly enjoy free will in Life. Others like slaves and prisoners don’t have that privilege. However, Life isn’t just about living independently in society. It is certainly much more than that. Hence, quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.

essay on life

Why is Life Important?

One important aspect of Life is that it keeps going forward. This means nothing is permanent. Hence, there should be a reason to stay in dejection. A happy occasion will come to pass, just like a sad one. Above all, one must be optimistic no matter how bad things get. This is because nothing will stay forever. Every situation, occasion, and event shall pass. This is certainly a beauty of Life.

Many people become very sad because of failures . However, these people certainly fail to see the bright side. The bright side is that there is a reason for every failure. Therefore, every failure teaches us a valuable lesson. This means every failure builds experience. This experience is what improves the skills and efficiency of humans.

Probably a huge number of individuals complain that Life is a pain. Many people believe that the word pain is a synonym for Life. However, it is pain that makes us stronger. Pain is certainly an excellent way of increasing mental resilience. Above all, pain enriches the mind.

The uncertainty of death is what makes life so precious. No one knows the hour of one’s death. This probably is the most important reason to live life to the fullest. Staying in depression or being a workaholic is an utter wastage of Life. One must certainly enjoy the beautiful blessings of Life before death overtakes.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Improve Quality of Life?

Most noteworthy, optimism is the ultimate way of enriching life. Optimism increases job performance, self-confidence, creativity, and skills. An optimistic person certainly can overcome huge hurdles.

Meditation is another useful way of improving Life quality. Meditation probably allows a person to dwell upon his past. This way one can avoid past mistakes. It also gives peace of mind to an individual. Furthermore, meditation reduces stress and tension.

Pursuing a hobby is a perfect way to bring meaning to life. Without a passion or interest, an individual’s life would probably be dull. Following a hobby certainly brings new energy to life. It provides new hope to live and experience Life.

In conclusion, Life is not something that one should take for granted. It’s certainly a shame to see individuals waste away their lives. We should be very thankful for experiencing our lives. Above all, everyone should try to make their life more meaningful.

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the life of a student essay

Ambassador of Pakistan Essay Writing and Speech Competition held

the life of a student essay

KATHMANDU, JUNE 27

The Embassy of Pakistan, Kathmandu organized award giving ceremonies of 11th Annual Ambassador of Pakistan Essay Writing Competition and 7th Annual Ambassador of Pakistan Speech Competition, on Wednesday. Chief guest of the event, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University presented awards to the students.

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This year, the topic of the Essay Writing competition was "Regional Connectivity is Essence of the Economic Development and Social Uplift - Prospects for South Asian Countries". Students securing first, second and third position in the Essay Writing Competition were presented gold, silver and bronze medals along with Souvenir and cash prizes. The next twelve best students were also presented with special cash prizes.

In their speeches, both male and female students passionately advocated the indispensable "Role of Women in Economic Development of South Asia". Top three adjudicated students were given medals along with Souvenirs & cash prizes. The next thirteen best students also received Souvenirs & cash prizes. A good number of Nepalese students from 35 Higher Secondary School to University students participated in the two competitions. The competitions were concluded in a phased manner over the last two weeks in this event.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa appreciated Pakistan for its continued support and advancing technical support especially in the field of education. He expressed hope that Pakistan's support would go a long way in reminding the youth of the two countries about shared vision; an educated youth is beneficial for all. He lauded that a sizable alumni of Pakistan was contributing to Nepal's development.

Ambassador Abrar H Hashmi in his concluding remarks appreciated the students for their critical thinking on important issues. The Ambassador stated that imbibing, solution based, and forward-looking thinking processes in students was vital for the future and termed youth interaction between the two countries as the abiding bridge.

The two competitions were held consecutively for the last 7 and 11 years respectively which have become very popular among the Nepalese youth and attract the brightest students from all over the country.

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Advanced Television

What college students really need to know about essay writing

June 26, 2024

Essay writing is a fundamental part of college life, playing a crucial role in how you communicate your ideas and demonstrate your understanding of various subjects. However, many college students find themselves struggling with the process, often feeling overwhelmed by the expectations and demands of their assignments.

If you ever find yourself in need of assistance, consider hiring an essay writer online to help you navigate through difficult assignments. This can give you valuable insights and free up time to focus on other critical aspects of your academic journey.

Understanding the Purpose of Essay Writing

Developing Critical Thinking

A fundamental goal of essay writing is to cultivate and demonstrate your critical thinking capabilities. When you engage deeply with essay topics for college students, you learn to analyse information, formulate arguments, and present your ideas coherently. This process is essential not just for your academic success but also for your overall intellectual development.

Demonstrating Knowledge

Essays provide a platform for you to demonstrate your understanding of the material you have been studying. Through structured writing, you can show your professors that you have grasped the key concepts and can apply them in a coherent manner. This is a crucial aspect of your learning journey as a college student.

The Importance of Planning

Brainstorming Ideas

Before you start your college student essay, spend some time brainstorming and organising your thoughts. This stage is crucial for developing an essay that is both coherent and well-directed. Explore every conceivable viewpoint and angle related to your subject. This preliminary work can help you generate fresh ideas and identify the most compelling arguments for your essay.

Creating an Outline

Creating an outline serves as the structural design for your essay, arranging your thoughts and confirming a sequential flow from one concept to another. Start with a definitive thesis statement, then list the main points that bolster your argument. Each subsequent section should naturally expand upon the previous, resulting in a unified and compelling piece of writing.

Time Management

As a college student, you should know that effective time management is essential for fulfilling your assignments within the set deadlines. Segment your writing process into specific, achievable tasks, assigning deadlines to each. Dedicate designated periods for research, initial drafting, revising, and final proofreading. Advance planning helps you sidestep the pitfalls of last-minute rushes and ensures the creation of a thoroughly developed essay.

Writing Techniques for Success

Engaging Introductions

The introduction sets the overall mood of your essay. Start with a compelling hook to grab your reader’s attention, followed by pertinent background information on your subject. Conclude this section with a succinct thesis statement that clearly articulates the central argument or objective of your essay.

Clear and Concise Language

Choose a clear and concise language to express your ideas. Steer clear of using unnecessary technical jargon and overly complex sentences that could perplex your readers. Ensure each paragraph centres on a single concept, utilising topic sentences that succinctly indicate the principal idea of the paragraph. This method not only enhances the clarity of your essay but also amplifies its ability to persuade.

Supporting Evidence

Back up your arguments with credible evidence from reputable sources. This could include academic journals, books, and authoritative websites. Accurately citing your sources is vital to avoid plagiarism and to bolster the trustworthiness of your essay. Using strong evidence strengthens your arguments and demonstrates thorough research.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Lack of Focus

A prevalent issue in college student essay writing is the tendency to lose focus. Stick to your thesis statement and avoid diverging into unrelated topics. Each paragraph should directly support your main argument, ensuring that your essay remains coherent and on track.

Poor Organisation

A poorly organised essay can be difficult to read and understand. Make sure your ideas transition smoothly from one to another. Employ effective transitions between paragraphs to help your reader navigate through your argument seamlessly. A well-structured essay is more persuasive and easier to follow.

Neglecting Proofreading

Never underestimate the importance of proofreading. Even the essay of the best college student can be undermined by spelling and grammatical errors. Dedicate time to meticulously review your work for any errors or potential improvements. You may want to seek the assistance of a friend or a professional proofreading service to thoroughly review your essay.

Utilising Resources and Tools

Online Tools

A variety of online tools are available that can assist you with different facets of essay writing. Tools like Grammarly can assist with grammar and spelling, while citation generators can help you properly format your references. Utilising these tools can help streamline your writing process and ensure your essay adheres to scholarly standards.

Peer Review

Sharing your essay with your college student peers for review can offer new insights and valuable critiques. This cooperative process enables you to pinpoint and address areas needing enhancement, refining your arguments in the process. Peer review is an effective strategy to improve the quality of your essay prior to its submission.

Mastering essay writing is essential for your success in college. By understanding the purpose of essays, planning effectively, using clear writing techniques, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can improve your writing skills and produce compelling essays. Take advantage of the resources at your disposal, such as writing centres and digital tools, to further develop your writing skills. Implement these suggestions today to revolutionise your essay writing experience in college!

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IMAGES

  1. Essay On A Day in the Life of a Student With [PDF]

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  1. Student Life Essay for Students and Children

    500 Words Essay On Student Life. Student life is one of the most memorable phases of a person's life. The phase of student life builds the foundation of our life. In student life, we do not just learn from books. We learn to grow emotionally, physically, philosophically as well as socially. Thus, in this student life essay, we will learn its ...

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    Essay on Student Life in 100 Words. A student's life is an exciting ride of learning, self-discovery and experiences. It's a blend of early-morning classes, late-night study sessions, and the thrill of making lifelong friends. This phase teaches a student to balance academics with extracurricular activities, fostering their growth as ...

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  4. Student Life Essay

    Student life is a pleasant experience where we gather knowledge and make friends. But it is also a phase where we face reality and experience difficult situations. Nevertheless, student life makes you braver, responsible and emotionally well-receptive. Student life is the most precious time of our lives. This essay on student life highlights ...

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    Student life is a student's day-to-day existence, which usually includes campus social events or time spent with classmates and teachers. University Student Life Essay. A student's most important responsibility is to learn. He/She should, however, not limit himself to only reading the recommended novels.

  6. Essay On Student Life For Students

    Introduction. It is said that "student life is The BEST life" because It is a period of pure joy and happiness. It is because the mind of a student is free from the worries and cares of grown-up life. In this period, the character of the student is formed. So, this life is also important for students to develop themselves as good citizen.

  7. Essay on My School Life for Students in English

    Best Things About the School Life for Students. School Life is the best time of our life as we make new friends, learn new things and build our career there. School time is the only time which we enjoy most, and when we enter college, we always miss our school life. School life teaches us lots of new things and prepares us to face all the ...

  8. The Significance of Student Life: A Journey of Learning and Growth

    This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of student life, emphasizing its role in preparing individuals for the challenges of the real world. Discipline Is an Important Virtue of the Student. Student life is inherently characterized by a pursuit of knowledge and personal development.

  9. Eight Brilliant Student Essays on What Matters Most in Life

    Like the author, students interviewed someone significantly older than them about the three things that matter most in life. Students then wrote about what they learned, and about how their interviewees' answers compare to their own top priorities. The Winners From the hundreds of essays written, these eight were chosen as winners.

  10. Essay on Student Life

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  11. Student Life Essay Examples for College Students

    Balancing Life, Work and Studying in Student's Life. Students engaging in part time work while studying is becoming increasingly common. A study conducted by Lucas & Lammont 1998, found that students who work part time could develop skills such a teamwork, communication, customer care and practical skills. "Work-Life Balance does not mean an...

  12. Essay on My School Life for Students and Children

    The students play sports badminton and table tennis in it. Also if we have any literary function, it always takes place in the new gymnasium. Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas. My School Events. Every year in October we have a Literary and Cultural Festival. In this, students from different schools come to participate.

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    It also provides an individual with peace of mind. Having a hobby is a great way to add meaning to your life. A person's life would be dull if they did not have a passion or interest. A fresh lease on life can be obtained by engaging in a hobby. It gives people fresh reasons to live and experience life. 4.

  14. College Life Essay for Students in English

    College life is not only about the study but also about the overall development of an individual through various activities and challenges. In College Life, one gets a chance to make their own decisions. In school life, students get an opportunity to be class monitors. In College Life, an individual gets a chance to nominate himself/herself for ...

  15. Essay on Student Life

    Student Life Essay 10 Lines (100 - 150 Words) 1) Student life is considered the golden age of life. 2) It is the time to build a better future for ourselves. 3) Student life gives you amazing and beautiful memories. 4) The most important thing for a student to do is to study and learn.

  16. Student Life Essay For Students and Children in 1000 Words

    Student Life Essay (1000 Words) Amongst the most exciting and memorable parts of a person's life is their student life. It is that wonderful and lovable time of an individual's life that is filled with joy and laughter and is free from all the anxieties of the adult world. We see in student life during this stage, a student's mind is full ...

  17. Student Life Essay in English (Short, Long, and Narrative Essay)

    Short Essay on Student Life in 250 words. Student life is a golden age of a student's life. This is the most joyous and enjoyable time of human life. This life span starts from the childhood of 5 years and ends in youth. At this time, we are not worried about anything.

  18. The life of students

    The life of students - Walter Benjamin. MIT students taking calculus exam (1956) Benjamin makes an intelligent and eloquent case against the poverty of student life under capitalism in this early essay, written more than fifty years before the Situationists would tackle the same subject. He argues against the intellectual frigidity and ...

  19. What Life Was Like for Students in the Pandemic Year

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  20. Essay On The Life Of A Student

    Student life is that time of life, which we spend in school and later in college. There is a popular saying, 'As we sow, so shall we reap'. What we sow in these years we shall reap in the future. One's whole future depends on the quality of student life that is spent. Thus, student life acts as the foundation of one's future.

  21. College Essays That Worked And How Yours Can Too

    Humor and Honesty: The student's humor makes the essay enjoyable to read, while her honesty about her challenges adds depth. Self-Awareness: She demonstrates a strong sense of self-awareness ...

  22. College Life Essay for Students and Children

    A.1 College life is completely different from school life. It gives us more exposure and also makes us more confident. Our teachers act more like friends in college, whereas in school they're like our mentors. Most importantly, college life gives us various challenges than our school life.

  23. Short Essay On The Life of A Student

    Short Essay on the Life of A Student.docx - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. School life involves a lot of hard work and discipline through studies, homework, and exams. However, it is also a fun time full of adventures with friends. A typical school day consists of waking up early to catch the bus and rushing between classes ...

  24. Speech on Student Life: Long and Short Speech in English

    Student life is more than just getting excellent grades and completing assignments. It is about getting knowledge and improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Beyond academics, it includes extracurricular activities that allow us to discover our talents and passions while developing leadership skills through teamwork.

  25. The 5 best scholarships for college students

    The topic of the essay is either a response to an Allen Ginsberg poem or a description of how technology will change the applicant's way of life in 15 years — the essay topic depends on the ...

  26. Full-Length SAT Suite Practice Tests

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  27. Pride Month Collection Spotlight: The Jay Fisette Papers

    The Charlie Clark Center for Local History features a new collection of archival materials donated by Jay Fisette, RG 387: Personal Papers of Jay Fisette, 1992-2018. In 1997, Fisette became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to office in the state of Virginia when he won a seat on the Arlington County Board.

  28. Essay on Life for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay on Life. First of all, Life refers to an aspect of existence. This aspect processes acts, evaluates, and evolves through growth. Life is what distinguishes humans from inorganic matter. Some individuals certainly enjoy free will in Life.

  29. Ambassador of Pakistan Essay Writing and Speech Competition held

    Students securing first, second and third position in the Essay Writing Competition were presented gold, silver and bronze medals along with Souvenir and cash prizes.

  30. What college students really need to know about essay writing

    Essay writing is a fundamental part of college life, playing a crucial role in how you communicate your ideas and demonstrate your understanding of various subjects. However, many college students find themselves struggling with the process, often feeling overwhelmed by the expectations and demands of their assignments.