Title: The Pursuit of Purpose: A Reflection on Ambition and Focus by Anais

Title: The Pursuit of Purpose: A Reflection on Ambition and Focus by Anais - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

My name is Anais Cancel, an aspiring healthcare professional and a rising freshman at AdventHealth College. I am a Hispanic/Latino woman who is passionate about a career in nursing. As the first in my family to embark on a college journey, I am driven to pursue my academic goals with an unwavering spirit born out of a combination of intrinsic passion and a palpable sense of purpose.

Both the primary and enduring fuel driving my academic aspirations stem from my vision to lead a life, both personally and professionally fulfilling. This vision is predicated on the idea of finding myself ensconced in a career I love – nursing. For me, nursing is more than just a profession – it is a calling and an opportunity to provide compassionate and quality care to those in need.

However, the process of turning this academic aspiration into a reality is undoubtedly challenging. My motivation to commit to this path is not solely about the end result – attaining my dream job – but also about the journey itself. I find joy and satisfaction in soaking up new knowledge, skills, and experience that will both enrich my personal growth and professional competence. As a result, despite the trials and tribulations along the way, I continue to find reasons to stay dedicated and unwavering.

My focus is rooted in my understanding of how every academic endeavor brings me one step closer to my dream career. I frequently remind myself of my end goal not as a distant possibility but as a reality I am ceaselessly working towards. Moreover, I find staying organized and setting daily, weekly, and monthly goals to be beneficial in maintaining my concentration amidst a flurry of academic commitments.

However, achieving a GPA of 2.7 in high school, I acknowledge I am not a perfect student. I recognize my shortcomings, but rather than allowing them to hinder me, I use them as motivation to strive for betterment. I believe in the transformative power of education and the possibilities it can yield if hard work, resilience and focus are applied.

Moreover, as a Hispanic woman, I am eager to break traditional barriers associated with my ethnicity and gender. I aim to inspire other young Hispanic women to pursue their academic dreams without hesitation, regardless of any challenges they might encounter. This not only fuels my personal motivation but also raises the stakes of achievement, prompting me to stay focused despite any obstacles that concurrently surface in this journey.

In conclusion, what motivates me to pursue my academic goals is the prospect of a fulfilling career in nursing. This vision is fueled by the love for my chosen profession, the sentiments of personal accomplishment in learning, and the drive to inspire a new generation. It is this mixed bag of motivations that help me stay focused as I am determined to populate this journey with glimpses of success and broadened horizons.

Thank you for your consideration for the Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest.