Transitioning from high school to university has been a journey filled with both familiar and new challenges. As a high school student at G S Remera Protestant, I excelled in literature and other language-based subjects while struggling with sciences and French. My passion for writing and leadership roles in clubs like journalism and debate shaped my academic and personal growth. Now, as a university student at Kepler College, studying the Foundation program which will lead me to Business Communication, I face new challenges, particularly with math, a subject I had avoided for years. This essay will talk about my personal SWOT analysis from both high school and university, comparing and contrasting how these environments have shaped my academic journey, personal development, and strategies for overcoming challenges.
High School SWOT Analysis and SMART Goal
In high school, my strengths were evident in my proficiency in literature and writing, where I consistently excelled. As the head of the journalist and debate clubs, I honed my leadership and public speaking skills, which were recognized and asked for by both students and teachers. However, my weaknesses were equally apparent, mostly in subjects like French and the sciences, where I struggled most of the time. Feedback from teachers and peers often focused on my need to improve in these areas, pushing me to work harder and seek help when necessary though it was not easy because most of the time I felt less courageous for not knowing things when others do.
In contrast, my SMART goal in high school was to maintain my position at the top of the class while continuously improving in the subjects that challenged me. This goal was specific (focusing on both excellence and improvement), measurable (through grades and rankings), achievable (with effort and support), relevant (aligned with my academic aspirations), and time-bound (to be achieved by the end of each term).
Similarly, the biggest challenges I faced were balancing my leadership roles and academic responsibilities, especially in subjects where I was weak. To address these challenges, I tried various strategies, such as staying up late to study, seeking help from friends, and sometimes even teaching myself difficult topics.
Nevertheless, my determination and the competitive spirit I’ve always had, driven by my desire to be first in everything, helped me overcome these obstacles and grow both academically and personally.
University SWOT Analysis and Current Challenges
As a university student, my strengths remain increased in my writing and communication skills, which I am now developing further with a professional focus in Business Communication. My past leadership experiences have also gave me the confidence and organizational skills needed to go through university life. On the other hand, my weaknesses have shifted, with math now being my biggest challenge. Unlike high school, where I could avoid math, university demands that I confront it head-on, making it a nonstop source of stress and difficulty.
Conversely, opportunities at university include the availability of resources like YouTube tutorials and the support of friends who help me with math. Feedback from professors has helped guide my academic growth and encourage me to engage more deeply with challenging subjects. In contrast, the university environment presents new threats, the university setting is different from high school because people are more focused on themselves. This makes it harder to get help from others sometimes, this shift has made it harder to find the same level of social support, requiring more self-reliance and discipline.
Similarly, the strategies I use to overcome these challenges involve actively seeking help, whether from friends or online resources and trying to enjoy doing the academic workload with a positive attitude. Despite the difficulties, my SMART goal at university is to excel in all my subjects, including math, and to maintain a high academic standing. This goal is specific (focusing on all subjects), measurable (through grades), achievable (with continued effort and support), relevant (to my future career aspirations), and time-bound (to be achieved by the end of each academic year).
To conclude, reflecting on my experiences as a high school and university student, I can see how each stage has contributed to my growth in different ways. High school provided a foundation of confidence, leadership, and academic excellence, while university has pushed me to confront new challenges, particularly with math. Although the environments differ, my commitment to academic success and personal development remains unchanged. By keeping the strengths, I developed in high school and adapting to the demands of university life, I am confident that I will achieve my goals, whether in securing a job or starting my own company in the future.