Calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of rates of change and the accumulation of small quantities, and it plays a crucial role in the STEM field. In this essay, I will discuss why I believe calculus is important in the STEM field and how I can use it in my career of working in the research lab. Calculus is an essential tool in the STEM field because it provides a framework for solving complex problems. Many of the fundamental laws and principles in science and engineering are based on calculus. For example, calculus is used to model and analyze phenomena such as the motion of objects, the flow of fluids, the behavior of electrical circuits, and the spread of diseases. Without calculus, we would not be able to understand or predict the behavior of these systems. In the research lab, calculus is used extensively to analyze data and develop models. For example, when conducting experiments, scientists may need to measure the rate at which a particular reaction occurs. Calculus provides a way to model the reaction and determine the rate of change. Similarly, when analyzing complex data sets, calculus can be used to extract meaningful information and make predictions about future trends. One of the most important applications of calculus in the research lab is in the field of optimization. Optimization is the process of finding the best solution to a problem, given a set of constraints. For example, a researcher may need to optimize the production of a particular chemical, subject to constraints such as cost, time, and environmental impact. Calculus provides a powerful tool for solving these types of problems, by allowing researchers to find the optimal values of the variables involved. In addition to its practical applications, calculus is also important in the STEM field because it helps to develop critical thinking skills. Calculus requires a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to apply them in new and creative ways. Through the study of calculus, students learn to think abstractly, reason logically, and solve complex problems. These skills are essential for success in any STEM field, as they enable individuals to approach problems with creativity and innovation. In conclusion, calculus is an important tool in the STEM field, and it has numerous applications in the research lab. From modeling complex systems to optimizing solutions to problems, calculus provides a framework for solving some of the most challenging problems in science and engineering. As someone interested in working in the research lab, I believe that a solid understanding of calculus will be essential for my success. By developing my calculus skills, I will be better equipped to analyze data, develop models, and solve complex problems in the lab.

I'm Autumn Boykin, a USC Upstate biology major with a psychology minor. My passion is solving life's mysteries and applying what I learn to change the world for the better. I want to use this scholarship to further my studies and make a positive impact on society through innovative research. Moving on, there were challenges associated with growing up in a low-income household with my grandmother as a parent. Because money was tight, we had to make due with little. But from this experience, I realized how important it is to be resilient and persistent. I was inspired to endure adversity by my grandmother's unwavering efforts to provide for our family through hard labor. She gave me great advice on the importance of working hard, being persistent, and grasping opportunities as they arise. My ability to overcome obstacles and pursue my academic and professional goals was inspired by her unwavering support and faith in me. She made me believe that I could overcome any challenge if I put in the required work and perseverance, and she encouraged me to dream big. As I turn my attention to the future, I want to use my life experiences to better my community and the global community. Regardless of their socioeconomic status or background, I believe that everyone should have equal opportunities. I want to advocate for disadvantaged youth to have access to education as one way of changing things. My goal is to develop projects and programs that give low-income students access to resources, guidance, and assistance. By providing them with the resources they require to excel in school and the workplace, I wish to end the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for better futures. In addition, I firmly believe that financial literacy and empowerment should be advanced. My humble upbringing taught me the importance of prudent financial management and decision-making. My goal is to use my knowledge and experiences to benefit others, particularly those who may not have had access to financial education. My mission is to empower individuals and families to take control of their financial well-being by providing resources and workshops on budgeting, saving, and investing. In the end, I want to bring about a positive change that spreads. I want to use my knowledge and experiences to encourage and uplift others so they can reach their full potential and overcome any obstacles they may encounter. By working together, we can build a society that is more equal and inclusive and gives everyone the chance to prosper.

Aunt Genea was a constant source of strength and wisdom in my life as a child. As a speech pathologist, she enjoyed great success and was well-liked in her profession. She was always available to lend an ear and offer insightful counsel when I had questions regarding my own academic and professional goals. There's one specific instance that comes to mind. I was feeling overburdened by the pressure to select a college and choose a career path during my sophomore year of high school. I recall sharing all of my doubts and uncertainties with Aunt Genea while we sat down. Aunt Genea posed insightful questions that encouraged me to consider my interests and passions rather than offering me advice or a clear cut response. She pushed me to pursue opportunities and broaden my horizons in order to find my true purpose in life. In addition, Aunt Genea talked about the difficulties and experiences she had while pursuing her education and profession. She emphasized the value of tenacity and reminded me that failures and setbacks are inevitable during the learning process. Her wise words gave me the courage to rise to challenges and see them as chances for personal development. Aunt Genea remained a source of encouragement and support for me during my time in college. She would frequently check in with me, giving me advice and support. She was there to encourage me to keep going forward and to remind me of my abilities whenever I encountered obstacles in my academic or professional life. Finding an internship at Aunt Genea's law firm for the summer between my junior and senior years of college was one of the most significant ways Aunt Genea helped me. I was able to learn about the legal field directly from this experience, which strengthened my desire to become a lawyer. Aunt Genea was a great mentor to me that summer, teaching me a lot about the legal field and assisting me in gaining useful skills. She pushed me to use critical thinking, effective communication, and a multifaceted approach to problem solving. Her advice shaped my professional development and improved my knowledge of the legal industry. Aunt Genea's unwavering confidence in my skills and her unceasing support were crucial to my academic and professional success. I am motivated to pursue my dreams with tenacity and perseverance by her mentoring and advice. I am appreciative of Aunt Genea's influence on my life today as I consider my accomplishments and my growth. Her assistance has been crucial in forming.

My objective as a pathologist is to significantly advance the medical field by using my understanding of tissues and organs to identify and treat illnesses. I have a strong desire to become an expert in a particular field, such as forensic or surgical pathology, by specializing in it. I sincerely hope that my work will improve patient outcomes and further medical research. My goal is to collaborate with other medical experts to deliver prompt and precise diagnoses that inform treatment strategies and, in the end, save lives. For me, though, it goes beyond the clinical work. I'm also excited to use research and teaching to further the field of pathology. My top goal is to stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies, and I'd like to attend conferences and workshops to broaden my expertise in these areas. I spent the summer working with the tiny nematode worm C. elegans, which has been used as a model organism to study intestinal diseases in humans. C. elegans resembles humans in many genetic and molecular pathways, despite having a simple anatomy. Using C. elegans, my research mentor and I looked into several intestinal diseases, including intestinal infections and inflammatory bowel disease. We were able to learn more about the fundamental mechanisms underlying these diseases by modifying the worm's genes and monitoring its responses. Research on C. elegans has yielded important insights that may help develop novel interventions and cures for intestinal disorders in humans. My ultimate goal is to establish myself as a reputable and significant pathology figure. My goal is to have a big impact on education, research, and patient care. For me, receiving this scholarship would be revolutionary since it would enable me to advance my education and training while also having a beneficial effect on the healthcare industry.

I view my legacy as the manifestation of who I am. My upbringing has had an impact on the legacy I carry. Due to my mother's passing when I was young and my father not being present. I was taken in by my grandparents. While livinig with my grandparents, I had to become independent at a young age. I was managing life skills that some adults don't even have to handle on their own. This has impacted my outlook on life in numerous ways. The first one is that I missed out on childhood memories because my grandparents couldn't adapt to the lifestyle the younger parents had. For example, there were always late-night events after school like skating or bowling that I missed. Also, for events that I was able to attend, like concerts or plays, they couldn't come to all of them because it was too much for their age. Another event was that when I entered high school, I was a part of the cheer team. There were games, community events, and competitions that I was always a part of. Meaning my grandparents coudltn be there for all of it. This impacted me mentally because I felt alone in a way. I would look in the crowd and see parents that had signs with their kid's faces on them, along with the rest of the family in the audience cheering on their kids. This carried on in college; I moved into my first dorm by myself. I remeber seeing this memory on TV as the most memeorble day of a college studnets life. As I watched my roommate's family help them unpack. I felt small and afriad that I was about to enter another milstone with the feeling of being alone. I wanted that one memory of moving into my college dorm with my grandmother. As stated before, I had to grow up quickly, so I have capable enough to handle college life on my own. However, it got to the point where I didn't want to be alone anymore. Moving on, if I could break any cycle in the future, it would be to never let anyone feel alone. I have started this goal at my job. I have customers who enjoy talking, and sometimes my coworkers roll their eyes and get annoyed. However, I just think to myself that I may have been the only person who was simply there to listen. Also, we have customers who may need help to their cars, when I help them, I never let them feel guilty for asking for help or making them feel like a burden. By doing this, I hope to make someone feel that they have help in their moment of need. I also plan to carry this mindset with me as I enter the health career. I want that to be the legacy I leave nehind, just simply being present when someone needs it.

I have overcome the obstacle of acceptance. Understanding that acceptance is like a gift of freedom has led me to accept that the health I am dealing with is a test in my life and that I have control over how I handle my perspective on my health condition. I can dwell on it and have a negative mindset or accept it and use it to my advantage. When I accepted this test, opportunities started to come my way. I was looking at nothing but the negative. With the privilege and opportunity to attend college, I can study and participate in a research program to help find treatment and possible cures for this condition. Knowing that I can take this "limitation" in my life and turn it into good brings peace and joy that can cause a domino effect for others.

My name is Autumn Boykin, and I study biology with a minor in psychology at The University of South Carolina Upstate. In addition, I work as a research assistant and participate in the pre-health club. I also work part-time at Publix Super Markets, Door Dash, and UberEATS. Since this is my senior year, I'll be busier than ever, especially since I'm applying to internships and master's school programs. I go to the gym frequently to keep myself mentally and emotionally occupied. When I was three years old, my mother passed away from a disorder known as neurofibromatosis (NF1). That I currently have, and my sister does as well. My sister and mother completed some college but did not get to finish college because of financial difficulties. As a result, I will be a first-generation college graduate. I have made it this far because of the loans I have taken out. I want to be happy that I will graduate, but I also fear that I am harming myself more than benefits. I have no outside financial help, so all my education expenses fall on me. I was convinced throughout high school that my four years in college would be the best of my life, but this was not the case for me. It's intimidating to have no financial support while I'm in college. I am inspiring myself to work harder to ensure this feeling is fleeting. My actions over the next year will have long-term consequences for my life. I want to be proud of myself when I succeed. As a result, I now set goals for myself that my younger self, who had an imagination that was always fearless, would never have considered. As I move into this chapter, I want to get my medical assistance license because it is a stable job that I can depend on financially while finishing my bachelor's and expanding my knowledge in the Medical field. With the money I make from work, I'll start saving for the next stage of obtaining my master's. The Charles Cheeseman Scholarship would be a relief to receive. Part of my debt getting paid off when I graduate will make it easier to apply to graduate programs. Knowing that I can prioritize tasks that I know will be helpful to my future, like saving money for an apartment and covering the remaining balance of my living expenses, will ease my mind as I apply for my postgraduate program.

My name is Autumn, and I have neurofibromatosis. I have challenges with every part of my body. There is no cure, and no FDA-approved medication is available to treat my condition. Specialists provide MRIs to keep an eye on all my tumors and surgeries for the ones they can remove. It’s all temporary, though. I saw a specialist, who determined that I did not have the most severe form of neurofibromatosis but rather a "mild" form of it. She referred me to a neurologist, who assisted me in learning how to work around my conditions and understanding that, because they are rare, there isn't enough information to tell me whether I will progress mildly to severe or remain mild. I went from being a relaxed person with no concerns about my condition to a person who lives in fear because I don't know where my health will take me. In my senior year of high school, I was also diagnosed with ADHD due to difficulty focusing in class. As it turns out, it's part of my condition. My doctor's medication only made me numb to what was going on around me. I couldn't think or process emotions, or I didn't have any. This didn't help me cope with my condition either. For this reason. I'd like to work alongside a pathologist and a neurologist to research my condition. As a result, I am pursuing a career in health care. Unfortunately, my story is not unique. Countless students in America have something problematic with their health. I cannot help everyone, but I can contribute to a cure or relief for those struggling with this condition. This scholarship will assist me in achieving my educational and professional objectives. I've been working hard to save for college, but with tuition being so high, my part-time jobs haven't been enough. I intend to work during my undergraduate degree, but I want to devote the majority of my time to my studies. This scholarship will assist me by lowering the cost of college and the number of hours I will need to work during my studies. This will allow me to continue my academic achievements. I could sit back and let my condition control my life, or I can excel in my academic achievements, which will lead me to my career goals. My ambition is to work in a field where I can use my weaknesses to help others.

Neurofibromatosis is a group of genetic disorders that cause tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors can develop anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. Psychiatric disorders are more frequent in NF1 than in the general population (33% of patients). Having a severe disorder along with psychiatric disorders has been extremely hard on my mental health. This event has impacted me in ways I didn't think were possible, like never feeling confident even if I spend time on myself. It has also felt as if I can never have an intimate relationship, a friendship, or even a simple relationship with coworkers. This one is huge to me because I want to go into the medical field. I want to study the tumor cells in conjunction with my condition to help gather more research about them. I also wish to specialize in dermatology because, as you know, my condition can cause external issues. When you have an illness that you cannot predict and all you are told by doctors is that there is no cure or there is nothing they can do for you, it seems that you are always on the sidelines watching the game. But your mental health journey is like the game: both sides, the referees, the coach, and the fans. Because you want to be in charge and want to win, the game is against you. The game becomes too challenging, despite your desire to take charge of your mental health and combat it. Your team may be there for you, but they are still required to play the game, thus they are not always able to assist you. The opposing team observes and doesn't recognize you since there is nothing for them to compete against since you aren't in the game, even if your family is there for you when your mental health is at its lowest point. My doctors see me and are aware of my presence, but they are unable to help. You could have a chance to enter the game because the referees took someone out, but you are aware that this was just luck and that you still run the risk of being ejected. You did, however, get to play for a while. You have people that support you without you realizing it; they take you out and give you those brief but necessary moments of relief from your struggles with mental health. The coach keeps tabs on you, pushing you to the limit of your potential and ensuring that you are at your peak performance. In my struggle with mental health, I am my own coach, and I am aware of my potential in the absence of mental health. Finally, there is the crowd—hundreds of individuals who are silently and loudly rooting for you while also expressing displeasure. There are numerous levels to your mental health. Some days are fantastic, and everything seems to be working in your favor. Other days are horrible, and everything seems to be working against you.

Taking out student loans may seem like a smart move when attending college, but it might have unfavorable effects. The cost of borrowing money is expressed as interest, which is usually expressed as an annual percentage rate. It's a good idea to think about paying off your student loan as soon as you can, whether you're in school or not. Although it may seem like a lot, spending a little bit more now—perhaps with extra money from your monthly budget, tax refunds, or savings—could pay off in the long run. I have been using my savings to start paying off my college debt. It is tricky because I have to balance my current bills with college bills. It gets exhausting, so in addition to my part-time job, I try to do side jobs like doordash, Uber Eats, and so on. I also try to find small jobs on campus to bring in more money. Working and attending school can be mentally and physically draining, so I try to apply for as many scholarships as possible to help pay for college and avoid future debt. However, working 30 to 40 hours a week makes it easier to apply for a scholarship because you can trust that you will get the money compared to hoping you win the scholarship. I try to budget, but in the moment when you are deciding to buy groceries, gas, or simply want to treat yourself, it can be difficult. Putting money aside for college debt makes you feel guilty about every financial decision you make. I have gone so far as to pick a job that gives me benefits so that one or two bills become cheaper, like my health insurance. However, it may be cheaper for me in the long run, but it won't be cheap enough to overthrow my student debt. Lastly, I'm looking for programs for my major that will pay me to do research and internships so that I can pay for college and pay off my debt. This is one of my major goals right now. Because I am a college student, I have to use these types of resources while they are available, but I can also use the experience to apply for broader scholarships or even grants. In conclusion, I am hoping to make the money to pay off debt rather than knowing I will be able to do