A Shift in Mindset by Carmen

A Shift in Mindset by Carmen - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

I was always the type of student that planned ahead for my future. I knew exactly what I wanted in life. I wanted to go to college to be a Nurse, and no one could tell me otherwise. I graduated high school with a scholarship that would pay for my Associate’s Degree completely. In the summer after graduating I started a full-time job at the Mercedes-Benz dealership down the street. My “plan” was to work there full-time and go to school fulltime. After all, I could handle it right? Boy was I wrong! I got married four months after graduating high school. I had a hard time juggling classes with work. I was so overwhelmed. Soon after I got married, I conceived a son. I felt that I had no choice but to stop going to school and continue working at my job to provide for my family. I lost my scholarship.
It has almost been eight years now since I graduated high school. I am still working at dealership to this day. However, this was not the vision that I had for my life as I pictured it as a teenager. Eight years later, I have a son, and I am a widow. My husband passed away from a motorcycle accident. Ever since he passed away, I realized I can do anything I set my mind to. God gives his greatest battles to his strongest soldiers. We may not know what the future holds. Life can definitely throw you lemons. I have been taking classes again and paying for the classes out of pocket. I do wish I still had that scholarship! I was just accepted into the Nursing Program at my school. It has not been easy. In May of this year, I will be a full-time nursing student. I will still be supporting my son and still juggling a lot. However, it is the shift in mindset that is getting me through this where the impossible has become possible.
The advice I would give to younger students is keep a positive mindset that you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to no matter what life throws at you. It may have taken me a few years to get to the point where I believe that and live it, but I am sure I would be much further had I changed my mindset sooner. Finish your degree no matter the circumstances are in your life. If you have received a scholarship, work as hard in your classes as if you were paying for them out of pocket. I know I have done better in school now that I am paying with my hard earned money. It will be a sacrifice, but it will be well worth it. Knowing what I know now, I would have sacrificed the time as a young mother and wife to finish my degree back then. You never know what life holds in store for you after high school; years down the road. I wish you all the best, and I know that if I can do it and am doing it after all of this, then you can do it too and do well!