Third Time’s the Charm by Jeralis

Third Time’s the Charm by Jeralis - May 2021 Scholarship Essay

You know what they say right? When things aren’t going your way or seem close to impossible someone says to you "Third time’s the charm". You have tried already two times too many so you think to yourself, one more can not possibly hurt. That was me, a potential nursing student who was having trouble getting accepted. I was the girl in college thinking that if I gave up I would only look like a fool. I had my life looking bright the first year of college and the next gray. It was a difficult journey to get to where I am now but worth every fight.
I started college when I was fifteen doing dual enrollment. Going to high school and attending college courses after. I was not completely ready for the college experience at such a young age and I often found myself feeling down. I would feel this way because my friends did not attend college early. I was lost in a new world and was trying to adapt to my surroundings each day. I was able to graduate high school with my Certified Nurses Assistant License and three college courses under my belt. I felt accomplished because I was ahead of the game and ready to take on the world. My first year full time in college was amazing. I did fantastic in my courses and met new people along the way. My second year would open my eyes and show me that it takes determination and hard work to achieve your goals.
Sophomore year was one of the hardest years I had academically. I took all the classes required to enter into the nursing program. I was electrified but also anxious waiting for my acceptance results because nursing is extremely competitive and a high demanding major. The day finally came that I would know and I was denied. I was devastated but I knew that this was not the end. I spent the next semester polishing my transcript hoping that the next time around I would be successful. February came around and I already submitted my new transcript and was sure that I would get accepted this time. I opened my letter with excitement to see that I was denied once again. As tears fell down my cheeks questions started flooding my mind. At this point I was thinking of another profession I could start fresh with. It was difficult seeing people think you would not make it and that retrying was just a waste of my time. This is when I decided that the third time would be my final try. My high school dream was to become and nurse and was the only thing I talked about to my peers and family. This is what I wanted. I spent another semester working on my transcript and submitted my application the first day it opened: Christmas Day. I waited anxiously for two months and finally the letter came. This time emotion was not pulsing inside me, instead I was still and ready for my fate. I was accepted. I was filled with happiness and a feeling of accomplishment. While the tears were rushing down my face I thought to myself, “‘you did it girl”.
Before this experience I truly did not know what working hard towards your goals meant. I was accustomed to doing a task once and getting a good outcome. This experience taught me what it is like to believe in yourself even when it gets gloomy, to keep pushing no matter what and that it is your life. Do what makes you happy and if you think all you need is that one extra push then go for it! I am excited to say I will start the nursing program this Summer 2021 and will graduate 2023 a Nurse. Thank you so much for your time.