A Journey by Abbigail

A Journey by Abbigail - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

It is an amazing journey, life. Every day is another opportunity to learn and I have learned beyond what I ever thought that I would. Life has taught me that no amount of education ever could have, and if there is one lesson that I aim to share with younger students, it would be to take their time.
In the fall of 2012, I began college as a Marketing major. Two years into school and I had no doubts, I transferred to a different University because that was always the plan, but in my third year I began to feel lost and unaware of everything going on around me, my life hit rock bottom. The truth is that I simply started too fast, I felt as though I had to know what I wanted in life and follow my plan all from the start and when my plan no longer fit my growth , I felt like I had failed. It had completely knocked me off balance.
In my efforts to return to school closer to home, it never seemed to quite work out in favor of my education, whether it was a financial strain, or a physical illness. I continued to push myself because I knew that I had to graduate on time. At my last withdraw, I was able to sit down with the Dean of Students and discuss my situation, and in that conversation I realized that life will go on but my life is still just beginning. Though it is important to finish my education, it is also important to go to school for the right reasons as it is a huge investment and I do not want to invest in a degree that I will not use.
I have been out of school for about eighteen months, and at first it was very hard for me to accept, but now that I have had the time to see the bigger picture, I am not only ready to return but I am ready to began my walk toward the future. I have had the opportunity to grow as a person, but to also to grow in my maturity. I have worked with no degree and that has made me more appreciative of my education. I have worked the jobs that young people would find glamorous and fun, that taught me that glamour is not free. Now, as I make my way back into college, I know what I want out of my education, I know what my education will do for my future, and I am no longer unsure of myself or my career. My advice to younger student would be that there is no need to rush, you do not have to have it all together today, and it is okay to take your time and grow in experience.