Rising Victorious by Kelsey

Rising Victorious by Kelsey - August 2019 Scholarship Essay

I am just diving back in after a gap year, and wow, I am incredibly proud of myself for the work that I have put in, and for how far I have come in the span of a year. My official college education began in 2017, then I took a leave of absence in 2018, and now I am returning in 2019. Over the last several months my mission has been to tackle the monumental task of stabilizing my situation.
First on my to-do list was to find a job; I nailed that part. Making sufficient money to survive on with a little extra has allowed me to maintain my debt payments, and now, my credit score is amazing! I also seized the opportunity to focus on my mental health and well-being, as I was a far cry from successful in launching my college career. My mental state took an inelegant nosedive mere weeks into semester one, and in the first few months following my leave, my health declined even further. However, I persevered, and managed to obtain an amazing therapist, who has been heaps of help. Trips to nearby coastal beaches, friends, and family were taken. Fog lifted. Existing was starting to feel manageable again. Fast forward several more months, and I was ready to consider revisiting school. Thus, research commenced on different schools, programs, and costs.
After high school, I had no clue of what I wanted to get a degree in. Needing to begin somewhere, I chose psychology. Even though the subject has always piqued my interest, I quickly realized that the career options were not the best fit. While in my withdrawal period, I started an endeavor in personal growth and discovery with a former boss, who has now become a life coach. Her help has been instrumental in sorting my thoughts and unleashing a fervor to chase my dreams. Finally, I made the decision to study multimedia and film production.
Once more, I am pursuing goals. Life holds hope and opportunity. Drive and motivation rush again through my veins like a river after a persistent drought. The journey ahead of me will take some time, but that's okay because the future sense of fulfillment will be worth the present effort. This recess was what I needed to regain function as a productive member of society. With the utmost certainty, I can say that my leave was spent in the best possible fashion.