The Stanford community is deeply curious and driven to learn in and out of the classroom. Reflect on an idea or experience that makes you genuinely excited about learning. (250 words)
“There’s hydrogen and helium, and lithium, beryllium…”
It was a miracle that I learned the entire periodic table. However, this would not have been possible without the help of a parody to the tune of Offenbach’s Cancan. My chemistry honors assignment was to memorize all of the elements, and it seemed to be an impossible task.
For the life of me, I could not seem to memorize all of the obscure elements. As the textbook was not helping me at all, I found a brilliant video online that helped students memorize the entire periodic table. Using this song, I was able to make the impossible happen, and was able to demonstrate my knowledge of the periodic table.
When I united my academics with something I truly enjoy—music and the arts—I was able to learn much more effectively. I took a subject matter that I was not as proficient in and manipulated my interests and resources to thrive. Two years after I initially took the class, I can still recite a majority of the periodic elements from memory. In fact, whenever my teachers assign creative projects, I jump out of my seat in excitement. Art is my passion, and creativity is my forte. I unite my love for the arts with my academics to streamline the learning process: singing eases memorization, while illustration improves my ability to visualize ideas. My passion for the arts has lent itself to my academic curiosity.
“…ununseptium, ununoctium. And then we’re done!”
Published in Successful College Essays, Successful Stanford Essays
