Why do I study?

The warm smile of a stranger, the darkness and cold of the ones before me and the very natural human urge to procreate - that’s why I do what I do. 

I am a person who finds it very hard to do something that I don’t now the reason or meaning behind doing it. That’s why I have deeply analyzed this question beforehand and already know the answer! For others.

My biggest motivation is seeing the impact I can have on others. Specifically positive impact.|This branches out to my family, friends, my future children, and even strangers on the street. This plays out in even the littlest of ways, if I am walking down the street, I’ll walk with a little hop in my walk. I’ll smile at people, just hoping it brightens their day. Sometimes, if a cashier has given me spare change, I’ll drop it randomly on the street, hoping a child finds it, smiles and proudly shows their parents. Maybe they will do it for someone else. It can also play out in bigger ways such as donating, charity work and a huge discipline and willpower to improve myself, so as to lead by example and not pull others around me into bad habits or ways of thinking. I try to have an impact on others by being an example, because people are often very resistant to change when you try to force them or tell them what they should be doing. That is my greatest motivation. 

I study so that I have the knowledge to do better therefore hopefully inspire others to do the same as well. I am motivated to study by my family, my future kids (which I want a lot of) so that I have the knowledge and wisdom to be wealthy and smart with my money. I don’t study for a high paying job because I don’t want to work, I’d rather be in a more traditional role. Sometimes, I remember the people who have suffered greatly for my basic rights, freedom and for the past generations of my family who have gone through many years of difficulties just to have me, the next generation here. How could I not do my best? 
My last reason is to not be stupid. I simply couldn’t be at peace with myself if I was failing at school. To conclude, I do it for others, that is why I do my best here (at this school) every single day.

Džūlija Keita Hodgina 10th grade