Family Tradition by Lily

Family Tradition by Lily - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

My mom is the person that has had the most impact on my decision to go to college and most of the decisions I’ve ever made. Since I can remember we have most of our free time together. She was the person that took me to all my activities and attended all of my school meetings. My dad was there for some of them, but it was my mom that took control of everything and made sure everything was done.
When I began high school and post high school plans were in the making she would tell me “it’s your decision what you want to do.” She didn’t pressure me into one thing or the other. I could go to college, or work or take some time off but she would always tell me “you can do what you feel is right for you at the time, but you have to have a plan.” Basically she meant she was not going to foot my bills for me to just hang out with friends.
I appreciate her for that. She was very honest in her experience when it came to deciding what she was going to do after high school. College was pushed onto her at the time. Looking back it was something that she didn’t really want to do. Her parents and both older siblings had gone to college so she felt that she had to go to keep up the tradition. When it came to me, she allowed me to make-up my own mind. Family tradition or something new.
I am going the family tradition route and am on my way to the University of Alabama in the fall. I am excited and nervous, but no matter what I know my mom is there for me.