Ever since a young age I had a fascination with math and science. I was obsessed and I wanted to learn as much as I could about the topics being taught. Towards middle school I took my first engineering class, everything in that class felt like putting a puzzle together and was satisfying. I loved the way it made me feel and wanted more puzzles to complete. Now I want to use that passion I have to be somewhere in the chemical engineering field. I want to become a Nuclear Engineer and become a regulator. I want to make sure everything's running the way it's supposed to and if it wasn't I want to do the things I have to too change that. It makes me feel at home doing those "Puzzles" that fall into place. I can't wait to see where I go with this passion because I've never felt this strongly about anything else in my life. I would love the opportunity to pursue this field of work. It will take a lot of time but when I get the job, all of that time will be worth it. I'm excited about starting this journey and can't wait for the future.

I had someone close to me in fact living with me, move away. after the move It put me in a position of responsibility and forced me to stay motivated. It wasn't easy going everyday with someone, to all of a sudden maybe on the weekends. I had to learn to be happy with what I had even if it wasn't a lot. I had to obtain a sense of well being to make it through the day. I had to learn how to time manage my school work and stay focused on school. The hardest thing for me was finding things that made me happy. I would go days on end just laying in bed on my phone or watching tv. I eventually had enough and came to my senses. I started to search for things that could make me happy. I found a couple of things that made the feeling of depression and stress go from feeling like a heavy weight on my shoulders to a lighter weight. It was still there and I couldn't ignore it but I started down a path that would eventually lead me to not feeling it at all. I will forever be thankful because it forced me to be uncomfortable and forced me to obtain skills needed. Skills I might have never had if I wasn't in this situation. To this day I use these skills and surprise myself with what i'm capable of. I've also stayed the same in some ways, I can still sleep through a whole day or get sucked into my phone but I have ways to get me out of that mood like listening to music or talking to friends. Through this journey i've learned sometimes you need a push out of your comfort zone to learn skills and things about yourself that you will use for the rest of your life. I've also learned that you can't be happy all of the time and there will be days, even months where you're not happy at all. When that day or month is over though and you start to feel better you get a new sense of worth and accomplishment. I wouldn't change anything that I did because I wouldn't be where I am today without it. I might not have handled it the best but that's what taught me what I needed to make it through this situation.

The same old boring day in a nude colored bricked building, this was my school but there's more to it than what it looks like. I didn't have many escapes from my home life but I remember going to school and learning math. It was the first time I was able to take my mind off everything that was going on. I had a simple understanding for math 2 + 2 or 10 = x. I loved that math was just the way that it was, no questions about it. There were also many different methods you could use to solve problems. It didn't matter which one you used or did because if you did it right you got the same answer. Something about me loved the diversity that was applied during math class. It's also so much more than just math, it's problem solving and critical thinking. I look forward to where I can go in math and I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned in math class. For most of my life I didn't have the tools I needed to enjoy math or excel in math but now is a better time than any. That is why I love math.

Every small task seems to be the most difficult endeavor in the world. Getting out of bed is strenuous, eating is tough, and the idea of having motivation in itself seems unfathomable. You're not alone, many of the U.S. population struggles with anxiety and depression. I've struggled with anxiety and depression for many years, but I won't let it stop me. I've definitely had a few hardships in life. My parents were divorced when I was in middle school, which was challenging for my mental health. In my High School AP Psych class, I learned that depression and anxiety can be genetic and environmental. Both of my parents seem to struggle in these areas, and I grew up in a somewhat difficult home. Most of my intermediate family struggles with alcoholism, so I have made a personal decision to avoid alcohol altogether. I've seen it's effect on those I love, and the risk is never worth it. However, I've always been surrounded by people who love and support me in the ways possible for them. I refuse to let my mental health get the best of me or prevent me from my opportunities, but I do acknowledge it. In Middle and High School, I fully immersed myself in the honors choir program. Being able to see my voice and skill develop over 6 years, was one of my most rewarding experiences. When High School ended, I chose to attend Midlands Technical College mostly for financial reasons. I realized soon after, this is the safe option not the best option. I want to experience the world one step at a time. I may not be ready to move out of state, but I'm determined to look elsewhere for more opportunities. Therefore, I've taken steps by applying to College of Charleston. I believe that attending a school two hours from my home and family will prove to be beneficial for my growth both academically and mentally. The idea that I can meet new people, experience new things, and become a part of clubs or something important means everything to me. I've learned in my years of trial and error, that becoming involved in various activities/clubs, working hard, and staying eager to learn are crucial to my mental health. My hope is that one day, I can feel stable and happy from within. I believe this is so possible for me, especially through the tools that a university/college will be able to provide. I hope to make my family and friends proud and succeed like never before. When I walk across that stage at graduation with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering I'll know I've made it.