We are excited to announce the January 2021 winner of the 1st Financial Bank USA Financial Goals Scholarship is Rebecca! Congratulations!
“I would like to thank 1st Financial Bank USA for this opportunity! I was so excited to learn that I was the January winner of the Financial Goals Scholarship! This scholarship will help me as I enter the pre-med track and pursue my dreams of one day becoming a doctor." - Rebecca H.
2020 has caused many students to adapt from in-person classes to virtual learning. Rebecca shares her experience with the transition and offers advice to others in the same situation.
“While 2020 was definitely a year full of uncertainty and change, it was also a year full of adapting and overcoming. Many would argue that 2020 was a bad year because it demanded so much change from our everyday, normal lives; however, I would argue that while it was tough, we have also come out stronger, more prepared, and ready to take on whatever the world may bring us. As a result of COVID-19, my school was required to transfer to online school which was a challenging transition, but it also helped me learn many things and prepare for the future.
When the news first broke that my school would be attending class over Zoom and would not be in person for the rest of the year, I was intimidated just because I had no idea what to expect. My teachers worked very hard to make the transition seemingly effortless; however, there was still bound to be some challenges as this was their first time teaching virtually. After a few weeks I started to get into the swing of things and virtual school became a part of my everyday life whether I liked it or not. There were definitely times I was frustrated with the whole situation: I missed my friends, it was harder to communicate with teachers and learning new material became a lot harder, I wanted to leave my house and walk the halls of the school one last time, I wanted to finish out my soccer season, and the list goes on. Eventually, it came to a point where I realized that my negative mindset was not going to change the situation and was probably only making things worse. From then on I decided that I would try to have a more positive outlook on the situation. I began to work harder at school and saw improvement in my grades, I exercised every day which allowed me to clear my mind, I texted and checked on my friends every day to see how they were handling things, and I was able to enjoy a lot more time with my family which I really appreciate as I will soon be heading off to college without them. While I was still stuck in situation I did not choose to be in, I realized that I became a lot happier and more appreciative all because of a change of mindset.
Some advice I would offer to others in this same situation, especially those in virtual school, is to keep up the same hard work ethic in virtual school as you would in in-person school. We are the future doctors, lawyers, teachers, and leaders of this nation, and our community needs us to step up to the plate as they are counting on us in the future.”
Even though 2021 is a new year, many schools are still having to learn virtually. This type of learning has been a struggle for students in every state. Although it hasn't became any easier, students have adjusted to a new routine. To learn more about adjusting to virtual learning, read 7 Tips For College Students To Excel in Online Courses.
Established in the year 1910, 1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) provides quality community banking services in South Dakota, credit card and other financial services to college students and college graduates, and construction lending to builders, developers and investors from coast to coast. 1FBUSA will award a $2,000 scholarship to a new winner each month. View full rules and eligibility at 1fbusascholarship.com.
