My experience with mental health has deeply shaped who I am, how I see others, and the goals I’m working toward for my future. During high school, especially while playing hockey, I went through a really difficult time that affected me in ways I didn’t fully understand at first. I was dealing with my own mental health struggles while also feeling like I was constantly being singled out. I experienced bullying and hurtful treatment from teammates, parents, and even coaches. What made it harder was that some of the comments felt personal and inappropriate, and instead of feeling supported in a space that was supposed to be about teamwork and growth, I often felt isolated and misunderstood. There were moments when I felt like I was carrying everything on my own. I didn’t really receive the support I needed from the environment I was in, and that made it even more difficult to cope. I would go into practices and games already feeling weighed down emotionally, and instead of feeling like I could escape that pressure, it often followed me there. Over time, I realized I had to start protecting my own mental health because I wasn’t getting the support I needed from others. As hard as it was, I slowly began to change- not because of the people around me, but because I had to learn how to survive it. I started focusing on what I could control: my attitude, my effort, and the way I responded to negativity. I began working on myself quietly, building up my confidence again piece by piece. It wasn’t an overnight change, and there were still really difficult days, but I kept pushing forward even when it felt like nothing was changing around me. By my senior year, I was not the same person I had been before. I had grown stronger emotionally and more aware of my mental health than ever before. I started to understand my own worth and stopped letting the treatment of others define how I saw myself. Even though a small number of people still continued their behavior, I learned how to separate their actions from my identity. I chose not to let bitterness take over me, even when it would have been easier to do so. Looking back, those experiences shaped the way I approach relationships today. I value genuine kindness, respect, and emotional support in a way I didn’t fully understand before. I am more careful about the energy I surround myself with, and I try to be the kind of person who makes others feel seen and supported. I never want someone to feel the way I felt during that time- alone in a space where they should have felt safe. This experience also shaped my goals for the future. It is one of the reasons I want to go into nursing. I want to be someone who shows up for people when they are vulnerable, stressed, or struggling, not just physically but emotionally as well. I understand what it feels like to need support and not receive it, and I want to be the opposite of that for someone else. Even though that chapter of my life was painful, it changed me in ways that made me stronger, more compassionate, and more determined to use my experiences to help others.

I chose to pursue a degree in healthcare because I’ve always wanted to do something where I can genuinely help people. I like the idea of having a career that isn’t just about working a job, but about making a real difference in someone’s life. Nursing stood out to me because it combines caring for people with learning real medical skills. I want to be someone who can comfort patients, support families, and be there during moments when people need help the most. Another reason I’m interested in healthcare is because it’s a field where you’re always learning. There’s always something new happening in medicine, and I like the idea of constantly growing and improving my skills. I also hope to become a travel nurse one day because it would allow me to experience different places while helping communities that need extra support. I like the idea of stepping into different hospitals, meeting new people, and still doing something meaningful wherever I go. As a woman entering the healthcare field, I hope to make a positive impact by leading with compassion and kindness. I want patients to feel comfortable and safe when they’re being cared for, especially when they’re scared or unsure about what’s going on. Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them and treat them with patience, and I want to be that kind of nurse. I also hope to be someone my coworkers can rely on and work well with as part of a team. I think being a woman in healthcare also gives me the chance to encourage other girls who are thinking about going into this field. It can be challenging, but it’s also really rewarding, and I want to show that it’s possible to succeed if you stay focused and work hard. I hope to grow into someone who not only takes care of patients but also supports and inspires others around me. Overall, I chose healthcare because I want a career where I can help people every day. Nursing gives me the opportunity to turn that goal into reality, and I hope to use my education to make a positive impact on both individuals and the communities I serve. With my degree in Nursing, I hope to improve people's way of life, not only physically but mentally as well- patient care is so important and not enough people understand the detrimental effects that patient care has on patient outcome. Improving their will to heal creates a better environment for not only the patients but the doctors and nurses as well.

My main aim is to get my nursing degree from Bethel University, then build a good career as a registered nurse. Eventually, I'd really like to become a travel nurse. I've always wanted a job where I could directly help people, make a real difference, and learn new things all the time. Nursing seems perfect because it mixes caring for others with problem-solving, good communication, and medical skills. I'm hoping Bethel University will give me the education, hands-on practice, and personal growth I need to do well in healthcare. My first step is to finish my nursing degree, making sure I do well in my classes. I know nursing programs demand a lot of dedication, good time management, and discipline. So, I plan to stay organized by setting up study schedules, going to all my classes, and using help from campus when I need it. I also plan to join study groups, ask professors for help, and use any tutoring or academic support services the university offers. Getting into good study habits early will definitely help me with the tougher science and healthcare courses. Taking care of my finances is another big part of reaching these goals. My budget will need to cover tuition, housing, books, getting around, supplies for clinicals, and just everyday living costs. To help pay for all this, I plan to apply for scholarships, grants, and any financial aid I can get. I also hope to work part-time if it fits with my school schedule, just to chip in for my own expenses. If I budget carefully and manage my money smartly, it should cut down on stress and let me focus on my studies. Besides my classes, I know getting real experience is crucial in nursing. While I'm at Bethel, I want to take part in clinical rotations, volunteer, and find other healthcare experiences. These things will help me get better at talking to patients and giving them care. They'll also prepare me to feel confident working with patients and other medical staff in actual hospital settings. I also plan to connect with my instructors, classmates, and healthcare pros who can guide me through my studies and future career. After I get my nursing degree and pass the NCLEX to become a registered nurse, I'll first get some experience working in a hospital. This is important before I become a travel nurse, because travel nursing needs you to be flexible, have strong medical skills, and be able to quickly adjust to new places. My long-term plan is to work in different communities, helping out where nurses are most needed. I hope to make a positive impact on patients while also learning a lot from working in all sorts of healthcare environments. Basically, my plan for success includes doing well in school, being smart with money, getting hands-on experience, and having a lot of personal drive. I know reaching these goals will take effort and commitment, but I'm ready to put in the hard work needed to succeed. Through my education at Bethel University and my career in nursing, I really hope to make a meaningful difference in people's lives and keep growing as a person and a professional.

I like Sabrina Carpenter because she's confident, creative, and just herself, both in her music and how she acts. What I really admire is how she's grown in her career but always stayed true to who she is. She started as an actress and became a really good singer, showing that if you work hard and don't give up, you can reach your goals. Her songs are fun and easy to relate to, but they also have a lot of emotion and honesty, which is probably why so many people feel a connection with her. For me, what really makes Sabrina special is how she manages to be both confident and real at the same time. She's not scared to just be herself, and that makes me want to be more confident in who I am too. Her music often covers things like relationships, growing up, and learning from different experiences – stuff that a lot of people my age can definitely understand. When I listen to her songs, it often feels empowering because it's a good reminder to just accept yourself and not let other people tell you who you are. Sabrina Carpenter's career has really affected me because she shows what it means to keep going and keep growing. She started in entertainment when she was pretty young and put in a lot of effort to build a great music career, even with all the criticism and pressure that comes with being famous. Watching her keep pushing forward and sticking to what she loves motivates me to work hard on my own goals. She proves that becoming successful isn't something that happens right away, and that being confident means trusting yourself even when things are tough. I also really like the positive energy she brings to her shows and when she talks with her fans. Her music makes people feel like they're understood and connected, and I honestly think that's one of the best things an artist can do. All in all, I'm a fan of Sabrina Carpenter not just for her songs, but also for the way she shows us to be confident, determined, and real, all while she keeps growing as both an artist and a person.

My relationship with my mom is one of the most important things in my life. I've always looked up to her because she's so kind, patient, and understanding with everyone. When I was growing up, I saw her always helping those around her. She'd help family, cheer me on when things were tough, or just listen when someone needed to talk. She showed me, through how she acted, that good relationships need trust, honesty, and being there for people when they really need you. My mom really made me who I am today. She always pushed me to believe in myself and to care a lot about other people. If I ever faced a tough spot or started to doubt myself, she'd tell me to stay positive and keep going. Her support gave me confidence, and she taught me how crucial it is to make others feel important and heard. I also picked up from her that just listening can be as helpful as giving advice. Sometimes, folks just need someone to really hear them out, without judging. Thanks to my mom, I try to connect with people by being loyal, compassionate, and understanding. I really value friendships and relationships where everyone can just be themselves. I try to make sure others feel included and supported, knowing that a little kindness can change someone's day. The things my mom taught me still guide how I treat people every single day. With the world relying more and more on technology, I still think we can keep real human connections alive if we just make an effort to truly be there and connect with each other on purpose. Sure, technology makes talking faster and easier, but sometimes it takes the place of those important face-to-face chats. Social media helps us stay in touch, but it can also lead to relationships that feel less personal or real. That's why I think it's key to balance our online chats with actual conversations and experiences. To make our human connections stronger, we could focus more on understanding others and really listening to what they say. Even little things, like putting down our phones when we're talking or just spending good time with family and friends, can help people feel closer. Technology should be a tool to bring us together, not something that pushes real relationships aside. I also believe technology can actually improve human connections if we use it wisely. It lets people from all sorts of cultures and backgrounds talk, learn from each other, and form friendships they might not have otherwise. Looking ahead, real connections will still come down to people remembering how important kindness, understanding, and genuine interaction are, no matter how fancy technology gets. Relationships are a really big deal for both my personal life and my career goals. They help make me who I am and push me to be better. The people I connect with—my family, friends, mentors, and future coworkers—all shape how I see the world and what I aim for. Having people who support you gives you a boost when things are tough and reminds you that you're not by yourself. In my future job, relationships will matter a lot, especially since I'm planning on becoming a nurse. Nursing isn't just about knowing medicine; it's also about building trust and connecting with patients. Patients are often dealing with really stressful or emotional times. Having someone treat them with care and understanding can change everything for them. I want to build good relationships with patients, so they feel safe, respected, and like someone truly cares. On a personal level, relationships also push me because they're a constant reminder of how important kindness and support are. The people in my life inspire me to work harder and be someone who makes a good impact on others. Whether it's my friends, family, or work connections, I think meaningful relationships give us purpose, strength, and that feeling of belonging.

I really find Taylor Swift's performance of “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” at the 2022 Grammy Awards especially moving. What made it so powerful was just how emotional and personal it felt. She didn't rely on big dance routines or flashy effects; instead, Taylor focused on telling the story and showing her emotions, which really made the audience connect with every single lyric. Watching it felt almost like someone was reliving their memories right in front of us, and it truly showed how music can turn personal experiences into something millions of people can relate to. I also think this performance meant a lot because it showed how much Taylor had grown, both as an artist and as a person. Years before, “All Too Well” was already a fan favorite, but the ten-minute version really became something much bigger. Watching her sing it with such confidence on a huge stage proved she was really in charge of her music and her career. It was like she was taking back her own story and turning something really painful into art that inspires others. Another thing that made the performance so touching was how easy it was to relate to. Even though the song comes from Taylor’s own life, the feelings in it — things like heartbreak, missing the past, and remembering moments that used to mean the world — are emotions almost everyone gets. While she was performing, you could see the audience was totally hooked, not because of any fancy tricks, but because of how honest she was. Overall, I think this performance really stands out because it shows exactly what makes Taylor Swift such an important artist. She can take her own very personal stories and make them feel like they belong to everyone, connecting with people through being real and showing her true feelings. That Grammy performance of “All Too Well” wasn't just entertaining; it stuck with me because it felt so real, so vulnerable, and truly powerful.

A life of service means using your time, skills, and compassion to improve the lives of others. I live this way by caring for people around me and choosing a career in nursing. To me, nursing is more than just a job; it's a chance to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families during tough times. I have always felt a pull to help others. I believe that serving people with kindness, empathy, and respect is among the most important things anyone can do. As I continue my education, I plan to use what I learn to become a travel nurse. This path excites me because it combines my passion for healthcare with my desire to help communities in need across different regions. Travel nurses work in hospitals and clinics that have a shortage of healthcare workers, stepping in during critical times to provide support and quality care. By becoming a travel nurse, I will care for people from various backgrounds and cultures while adjusting to new environments and challenges. I believe nursing requires not just medical knowledge but also compassion and understanding. Patients often feel scared, overwhelmed, or in pain. Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness create a lasting impact. Whether it's comforting a patient before a procedure, listening to someone who feels alone, or advocating for a patient’s needs, nurses play a vital role in healing both physically and emotionally. Through my education, I will learn how to provide safe and effective care, communicate with patients and healthcare teams, and make decisions that can improve someone’s quality of life. In addition to helping individual patients, I hope to use my education to support entire communities. Healthcare access can be limited in rural or underserved areas, and travel nurses help fill those gaps. I want to be someone willing to go where help is needed most and care for people who might not otherwise receive it. I also aim to educate patients about healthy habits, disease prevention, and managing illnesses so they can live healthier and more informed lives. Being able to educate and encourage others is another important way I can serve people through nursing. Ultimately, I embody a life of service because I am committed to using my future career to care for others with compassion, dedication, and respect. Nursing will allow me to turn my desire to help people into a lifelong commitment to service. As a travel nurse, I hope to have a positive impact on patients and communities wherever I go, offering not only medical care but also comfort, hope, and support. Through my education and future experiences, I want to become someone who truly makes a difference in the lives of others every day.

Being a student-athlete has shaped me into the person I am today, not only through competition and accomplishments, but through the adversity I had to overcome to continue pursuing the sport I love. Hockey has always been a major part of my life for years and it has taught me discipline, leadership, teamwork, and resilience. However, my journey was far from easy. During my high school athletic career, I experienced harassment not only from teammates and their parents, but also from members of the coaching staff. I was treated differently from everyone else, faced inappropriate comments, and was constantly threatened with punishments that were never enforced on other athletes. Over time, the environment became emotionally exhausting and made me question my confidence, my self-worth, and even whether I still wanted to continue competing. For a long time, I carried the weight of feeling isolated and targeted. I struggled silently because I loved hockey so much and did not want to walk away from something that had always been such an important part of my life. After that difficult season, I realized I needed time to heal and rebuild myself mentally and emotionally. It took an entire summer, a great deal of therapy, and a lot of reflection to work through everything I had experienced. That process was not easy, but it changed my life. I began to understand that the way people treated me did not define my value, and I slowly rebuilt my confidence by surrounding myself with people who genuinely supported and believed in me. When I returned for my senior year, I came back stronger in every way. Instead of allowing my experiences to make me bitter or give up, I used them to become the kind of teammate and leader I wished I had when I was struggling. I became a team captain and focused on creating a more positive and supportive environment for the people around me. I made it a priority to encourage teammates, support younger athletes, and make sure no one felt overlooked or alone. One of the most meaningful parts of my journey was hearing from teammates and even their parents afterward about the positive impact I had on them and how much they appreciated my leadership and support. Knowing that I was able to make a difference in other people’s lives means more to me than any award or recognition I could receive. Those experiences taught me that success is not only measured by wins, statistics, or accomplishments, but by resilience, growth, and the ability to positively impact others. I learned how important it is to advocate for yourself, stay strong during difficult moments, and continue moving forward even when circumstances feel unfair. Most importantly, I learned the value of empathy and leadership. Because of what I went through, I never want someone around me to feel unsupported or unheard. As I continue into college as a student-athlete, I want to carry those lessons with me both on and off the ice. Athletics have taught me how to persevere through adversity while balancing the demands of academics, training, and personal growth. I plan to continue competing because sports have become about something much bigger than competition alone. Being a student-athlete means representing resilience, determination, and leadership while continuing to grow into the best version of myself. Receiving this scholarship would not only help ease the financial pressures that come with being a college student-athlete, including training, travel, equipment, and school expenses, but it would also represent support for the journey I have fought so hard to continue. More than anything, it would remind me that difficult experiences do not have to define a person negatively. They can shape someone into a stronger leader, teammate, and role model for others. My journey has shown me that even in the hardest moments, growth and purpose can still be found, and I hope to continue using my experiences to inspire and support others throughout my future.

I’m about to start my college journey as a student-athlete, and honestly, I couldn’t be more excited. Sports have shaped who I am they’ve taught me how to lead, how to work with others, and how to keep going when things get tough. I’ve learned what it really means to stay disciplined and responsible, even when it’s tempting to slack off. But I know my education comes first. At the end of the day, that’s what sets up my future after my playing days are over. So, I’m making it a point to put school before athletics and give it everything I’ve got, both in the classroom and on the field. Right now, I’m planning to study nursing. I’ve always felt drawn to helping people, and I want to make a real difference in their lives especially when they need it most. Nursing sticks out to me because let’s be real, it’s not an easy field. It takes compassion, grit, and strong communication all things I keep building through sports and school. I want to be that person who’s there for someone when they’re at their lowest, ready to offer support and care. Looking ahead, I’d love to become a travel nurse. That way, I get to mix my love for adventure with my passion for helping people. I’ve always loved exploring new places, discovering different cultures, and meeting all kinds of people. The chance to travel and make a positive impact everywhere I go? That’s what really gets me fired up. I know travel nursing won’t just help me grow as a person and as a professional it’ll let me do something meaningful with my career. I’m driven to keep chasing my goals and push myself to grow into the best version of me. I want my future to show how determined I am, how much I care about others, and how hard I work all while juggling my education and my athletic ambitions. The road’s not always smooth, but I’m ready to stay focused and keep putting in the work, no matter what pops up. Being both a student and an athlete has already taught me how much discipline matters. I’ve learned the value of good time management and sticking with something I believe in, even when things get tough. I can’t wait to see what college brings. I’m looking forward to new opportunities and figuring out more about who I am and what I want to do with my career. I hope I can inspire people and show that you really can chase your passions without letting go of your education or personal growth. Wherever life takes me, I just want to keep making a positive mark on the people around me, whether through kindness, effort, or service. If I can become a successful nurse and travel to new places, I think I’ll find real meaning in both my work and my life.

Growing up, finances deeply impacted my life. My family is middle class, but there were many times when money was tight. Even though my parents worked hard to provide for me, I could sense their stress over bills and expenses. It affected me emotionally. I hated seeing them struggle and feeling powerless to help. Those experiences highlighted how crucial financial education is and how necessary it is to understand how to manage money wisely. I have also faced challenges with my spending habits. One main reason for this is my OCD, which sometimes leads me to buy things I don't need. I often tell myself that new items will help me feel more organized or prepared, even if I already have what I need. Reflecting on it now, I see that these habits have caused me to waste money on things that weren't essential. It has been tough because I know my family doesn’t have unlimited funds, and I often feel guilty when I spend without thinking. Since my parents can't always support me financially, I cover most of my personal expenses. This has taught me responsibility from a young age. Whether it's clothes, hobbies, entertainment, or other personal buys, I've learned that if I want something, I usually need to work for it or save my own money. While it can be frustrating compared to those who receive more support from their families, I believe it has helped me grow and appreciate the value of money. I have begun making real efforts to improve my financial habits. Recently, I've focused more on saving money and cutting down on unnecessary spending. Instead of buying things on impulse, I try to pause and consider whether I really need them or if I'm just buying them out of anxiety or temporary satisfaction. I've also become more conscious of budgeting and prioritizing my spending. Though I still struggle at times, I take pride in becoming more disciplined and responsible with my money. I think financial education is vital because many people never get proper instruction on managing money. Learning about budgeting, saving, investing, credit, and financial planning can greatly impact someone's future. I intend to use what I learn to build a more stable and secure life for myself. My experiences growing up have shown me how stressful financial instability can be. I want to avoid living paycheck to paycheck if possible. I aim to build strong habits now so that I can eventually support myself comfortably and assist my family when needed. In the future, I hope to apply my financial education to make smarter decisions, steer clear of unnecessary debt, and create long-term stability. I want to keep improving my spending habits, save consistently, and learn how to manage my money wisely. Even though my experiences with finances have been challenging, they have inspired me to be more responsible and determined to create a better future for myself.

I went through a period of severe self-doubt in the midst of bullying that made me feel small, lonely, and invisible. Negativity towards me from others had become the foundation of the way I thought about myself, and gradually I started believing that those people were right about what they said. Everything I did seemed not good enough, and that idea kept gnawing away at my self-esteem. Over time, my inner pain and uncertainty had become too much for me to handle. As I could not express my emotions or deal with them in any proper way, I resorted to self-harm. It was the only way I knew to relieve myself of the accumulated pain and trauma. Depression had taken control of my actions and thoughts, turning everyday routines into burdensome duties. On some days, the mere task of getting up seemed an effort that was simply beyond my capabilities. I often felt tired, both physically and mentally, regardless of my activities during the day. Sometimes it was extremely difficult for me to even move from my spot, as I lacked the motivation for that. Life had begun to seem pointless and without perspective for me. It felt as if there was nowhere left to go and nothing to look forward to. It was particularly difficult to go on knowing that there was not much that anyone could do to help me. All in all, it seems that being lonely and isolated was my reality back then. Nonetheless, as time progressed, it became apparent to me that even such experiences as mine have potential to be useful to me. Little by little, I began to realize that even though I may feel as though I am the only one to experience the problems I have experienced, I am not alone in this in the least. In some cases, it becomes obvious that my sufferings have taught me to understand and be empathic towards others' plights. This way, I can use them to establish an emotional connection with other people, rather than let them drag me down and make me think negatively about myself. Being able to share my experience with others will allow me to let them know that they are not alone, and that their struggles are important and real, and it is perfectly acceptable to talk about them. I wish to give other people a reason to carry on, as well as to seek for the meaning in life even in such trying times. Additionally, I would like to emphasize that every single step towards improving one's mental condition is a victory worth recognizing and embracing. Most importantly, everyone deserves to be seen and heard and to receive acceptance.