Freshman Challenge by Abby

Freshman Challenge by Abby - August 2023 Scholarship Essay

Ever since the start of my freshman year in college, I faced persistent and unexpected health issues that still follow me today Though moving into the dorms made them substantially worse, I am now living at home and working towards 100% health. I'm not there yet, but I'm making improvements every day with the support I have at home. Looking back at my freshman year of college, it was a nightmare I was physically sick because my body just couldn't handle the community living portion of dorm life. But I stuck it out, persevered, and made a different plan for the coming years and this experience has turned into one of my biggest achievements in my schooling so far.
While classmates occasionally skipped class without a legitimate excuse, I showed up day after day no matter how I felt. I even had some professors approach me asking if I needed time off from class because they received documentation from the deans office backing my medical excuse. But no, I wanted to succeed and I wanted to finish out my freshman year strong. It was far from easy, but I kept going. I pushed myself to limits I didn't know existed and because of that I have built a type of discipline like no other. I had the option to drop my classes with no impact to my academic record, but that would have put me a year behind. So, I pushed through and came out the other side with high academic standing and a sense of achievement like no other.
My journey through freshman year battling health issues while maintaining full time schooling and part time work was a challenge. But it was a challenge I fought through and earned. This achievement is a constant reminder that I can do anything as long as I don't give up... and I won't give up.