No One Grows When They Are Comfortable by Payton

No One Grows When They Are Comfortable by Payton - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my life I have faced many difficulties including a serious lack of income, physically, and mentally, declining parents, as well as multiple moves due to these scenarios. I have learned to face these difficulties with grace. Although my adolescent years may have been significantly different from those of my peers, I believe I have developed the ability to overcome setbacks and an incomparable drive for success.
My mom has faced more adversity than she should ever have had to. However, not once has she let it alter her positivity or overall outlook. Being a first generation college student, she encourages me everyday to be persistent by never forgetting my intentions. She constantly reminds me of my worth and all that I am capable of. My mother taught me to never allow my stress over rising tuition costs, an off campus job, and rigorous course requirements alter neither my personality nor my optimism. Additionally, she taught me to never let these obstacles keep me from climbing towards the expectations I have established for myself.
Each day when I feel as if I cannot compete with all of my classmates who finish their coursework without the additional stress of jobs, student loans, or apparent issues, my mother never fails to remind me just how much sweeter the degree will be accompanied by these impediments. I strongly believe no one grows when they are comfortable. Therefore, no matter how tiring this journey gets, I will embrace the worst days with the belief that a doctorate coming from a first generation student raised by a single mother in a low income environment will inspire another young girl in this world.