Sample Student Essay—EXEMPLIFICATION

Adventures that Changed My Life

                                Do you ever find yourself lonely, bored, or feel that you’re living a life that’s lacking excitement? I have, and I find that life tends to pass you by if you’re not paying attention. One day you might realize that something has to change or you’ll go nuts. This is the perfect time to climb out of the box and look at the world around you. Our world has a lot to offer and I believe that the willingness to undertake adventure is a necessary part of a happy existence. Here are some adventures that have changed my life.

                My first choice was a new career. That meant that I had to get educated in a new field, which entailed going back to school. Going to college is an adventure, especially if you haven’t been in a classroom for over twenty years. Students can learn new skills, make new friends, discover a hidden talent, and find a new path in life. For example, I was stuck in a job with no room for advancement, I had few friends, and I was bored to the point of depression. My life consisted of going to work, and the occasional trip to the supermarket. I had a lot of time on my hands, but no activities to fill it with. It was my daughter who encouraged me to go to college. She went to college and knows firsthand the employment benefits, and social opportunities’ that are available to a person with a degree of higher education. I took her suggestion and enrolled myself into S.C.C. I have almost finished my first year of school, and I am a much happier and fulfilled person. I have made some new friends, learned a new skill (algebra), and discovered a hidden talent (writing). I am no long bored, or depressed. My life is filled with new opportunities for personal growth, and I have a much larger social circle. I’m glad I took a chance and went back to school.

                Making new friends at school has brought about a new interest in sports. My friend Amy suggested we try our luck a gambling. We went to the Coeur d’ Alene Casino in Worley, Idaho and discovered the exciting sport of horse racing. The races are fun to watch and the camaraderie amongst fellow racing fans is extensive. We have met people from all over the country who share an interest in this sport. And as an added bonus, I met the man of my dreams who is now my fiancé. With him I have went to new ethnic restaurants, been introduced to Blues Jazz Guitar music, and met his sister who turned into a good friend of mine. Trying something new has opened up new worlds for me, and my personal life has improved immensely.

                The most important adventure I have had is taking a course in Comprehensive Stress Management. Students are encouraged to get involved in their communities to help others, and thus release stress in our lives. In my neighborhood we have a community church that runs a food bank, offers free meals to the disadvantaged, and has a community garden that we all are welcome to use. This church has brought about great change in our neighborhood, in that people are actually meeting their neighbors on a more personal level instead of the usual casual pleasantries. I have discovered through experience that working together as a whole makes life’s challenges easier to deal with. Helping others gave me an opportunity to learn compassion for my fellow man, and I have made some wonderful new friends. In this day and age we are all struggling for a better existence and it’s great to know that we don’t have to do it alone.

                So in conclusion, if you are unhappy with your life and feel a need for change try having an adventure, or two. My willingness to open myself up to new experiences has made mine and my community’s existence much happier and fulfilled. Try it! You may just find that you’ve made the world around you a better place, and happiness will abound.