Have you ever experienced trying to talk but nothing comes out? One vivid memory I have of feeling anxious was when I was 13 years old at a restaurant, trying to place an order. I felt my stomach tighten as I watched everyone else order, waiting for my turn, but I couldn't bring myself to speak. Eventually, I sought help from a counselor and was diagnosed with social anxiety. Now, at 17 years old, I've developed coping mechanisms and learned how to manage my anxiety better. Dealing with social anxiety is a daily struggle for me, especially as a high school student. As a high school freshman, I was overwhelmed with anxiety. I felt incredibly isolated and struggled to connect with others. It can make it difficult for me to form and maintain relationships, as I often struggle with initiating conversations and connecting with others on a deeper level. I constantly worried about fitting in and being accepted by my peers. I found it difficult to navigate the social dynamics of high school and often felt like I was on the outside looking in. This sense of isolation only heightened my anxiety and made it even harder for me to reach out and make friends. Many of my classmates did not know what my voice sounded like for many months. I longed for a sense of belonging and connection, but it seemed like an impossible feat at the time. Today, I've connected with a lot of awesome people and have really matured from my younger days. It might sound easy to some, but a major achievement for me is being able to confidently order from a menu. Getting a college degree is crucial for me because I'm confident that I can pursue my passion for genomics and bioinformatics. My main objective is to contribute to the progress of medical research and the creation of new treatments. Through a college degree, I can gain knowledge, broaden my perspective, and build connections with others. Getting a college degree is important to me because of my mom. My biggest inspiration and someone who helped me through anxiety is my mom. As she is someone who was the first person in her family as an immigrant to graduate from college from her I know I can accomplish great things. If I could amount to half the woman she is today I know I can accomplish anything.