Growing up, I always felt like my mind was racing faster than I could keep up with. Long before I understood what anxiety really was, I lived with a constant feeling of worry and pressure that I couldn’t explain. I didn’t have the words for it, and I didn’t know how to ask for help. All I knew was that everyday situations such as school, friendships, responsibilities, even small choices felt heavier for me than they seemed to for everyone else. As I got older, my anxiety didn’t fade like I hoped it would. Instead, it spread into more parts of my life. I became someone who overthought everything: conversations, assignments, future plans, and even things that didn’t matter. Sometimes, leaving the house or starting a simple task felt overwhelming. On top of that, I’ve struggled with seasonal depression, which makes the darker months especially difficult. When the seasons change and the days get shorter, my motivation drops, and the anxiety rushes in even stronger. It becomes a cycle that’s hard to break without support. During my early teens, before I had any real understanding of mental health, I turned to weed as a way to cope. At the time, it felt like the only thing that could quiet my thoughts. It gave me a break from the constant mental noise. But as I grew older, I realized it wasn’t helping me heal. It was only numbing the symptoms and keeping me from facing the real issues behind them. Eventually, it started making my anxiety worse, not better. There came a point where I couldn’t keep pretending I was fine. The anxiety became too overwhelming to ignore, and I knew something had to change. Quitting weed altogether was the first step. The second, and maybe the most important, was choosing to start therapy. That decision changed everything for me. Therapy gave me a safe space to understand myself, talk openly, and learn to manage what I had been struggling with for years. Getting officially diagnosed with anxiety brought clarity I didn’t have before. Instead of feeling lost in my own mind, I finally understood what was happening and what I could do about it. Therapy hasn’t magically erased my anxiety, but it has helped me grow in ways I never expected. I now have coping strategies like grounding techniques, journaling, and routines that help me stay organized and centered. I’m learning to be honest with myself about how I’m feeling instead of pushing everything down. I’m also learning to reach out to the support systems I’ve built, including trusted friends, family, and my therapist. My experiences with mental health have shaped my educational goals in a powerful way. I want to show myself that I am capable of success, even while managing anxiety and seasonal depression. I’m majoring in marketing and hope to eventually create or run a business of my own. I want a future where I can express creativity, build connections, and create something meaningful. More importantly, I want to prove to myself that my challenges don’t define my limits. My plan for continuing to manage my recovery is centered around consistency, honesty, and staying proactive. I will continue seeing my therapist regularly, especially during the times of year when seasonal depression is strongest. I am committed to staying substance-free because I’ve learned that temporary escape only delays growth. I also plan to keep building healthy routines, practicing mindfulness, and staying connected to the people who support me. I know recovery isn’t a straight path, and I expect setbacks, but I’m learning to face them without shame. I am proud of the progress I’ve made, and I’m determined to continue growing. My experiences have taught me resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of prioritizing my mental health. While anxiety and seasonal depression are part of my story, they are not the whole story. What defines me now is my commitment to healing, my willingness to put in the work, and my determination to create a future I can be proud of.

The person who has had the biggest impact on my life is my mom. When I think about strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love, she is the first person who comes to mind. Her life hasn’t been easy, and she has faced challenges that would break most people, but instead of letting them defeat her, she has used them as fuel to keep going, for herself, and more importantly, for me. One of the hardest things she has dealt with is her relationship with my dad. Their connection has never been stable or supportive, and she has had to carry far more weight in the family than any one person should. My dad has rarely stepped up the way a parent should, and because of that, my mom has had to be both mom and dad at the same time. She has worked, sacrificed, and pushed herself far beyond what anyone could reasonably expect, often with no recognition and no one to lean on. What amazes me most is that she has done all of this without ever letting it harden her. Even when she was hurting or exhausted, she still made sure I had what I needed. Emotionally, mentally, and physically. She put aside her own dreams, her own time, and even parts of her identity to keep our life stable. She is part of a D9 sorority, something she has always been passionate about, but over the years she has had to sacrifice her involvement because she simply didn’t have the time or support. While she watched others attend events, build connections, and grow within the organization, she often had to stay home, work extra hours, or take care of responsibilities no one else was willing to help with. Seeing her give up so much, not because she wanted to, but because she felt she had to, has shaped the way I view commitment, resilience, and love. Her sorority is something that connects her to her community, her identity, and her sisterhood, yet she has repeatedly pushed aside what brings her joy so I wouldn’t have to go without. Her sacrifices weren’t dramatic or public; they were quiet, consistent decisions she made day after day, year after year. What impacts me most is not just what she gave up, but the way she refuses to let bitterness define her. Even after everything, she still finds ways to encourage me to chase what I want. She doesn’t want me to feel the limits she felt. She pushes me to explore, to learn, to take opportunities, and to care about myself in ways she didn’t always have the freedom to. Her story has taught me that strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like choosing to stay when it would be easier to leave. Sometimes it looks like showing up every day even when you’re exhausted. Sometimes it looks like sacrificing your own plans because you believe in the future of someone you love. My mom has shaped my perspective on resilience, independence, and compassion. She inspires me to build a life where I don’t have to choose between my dreams and my responsibilities. And more than anything, she motivates me to succeed; not just for myself, but to honor everything she has done to get me here.

For most of my life, I thought I had a clear picture of what I wanted to do and who I wanted to become. I held onto that certainty like it was a map that would guide me through school, college, and whatever came next. But somewhere along the way, that map started to blur. The things I once felt sure about no longer feel like the perfect fit, and instead of having one set path laid out in front of me, I now find myself standing at a crossroads with multiple possibilities and honestly, that’s both terrifying and exciting. My “Pie in the Sky” dream isn’t a specific job title or a perfectly structured five-year plan. Right now, my biggest dream is to build a life where I can blend creativity, impact, and purpose into something uniquely mine. I don’t know exactly what shape that will take yet, but I do know a few pieces that matter deeply to me: I want to create something meaningful, I want to work with people (especially kids), and I want to make a real difference in the world. Working with kids has always come naturally to me. Over the years, I’ve helped, led, coached, guided, and supported them in different settings, and each experience has taught me something important. Kids are honest, imaginative, hopeful, and resilient, and those qualities have shaped my own outlook on life. When I’m working with them, I feel grounded. I feel needed. I feel inspired. And those feelings have stuck with me as I’ve grown older and started thinking about what direction I want my life to take. At the same time, I’ve grown more and more interested in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The idea of starting something of my own, whether that’s a brand, a service, a community space, or something still unknown feels like a dream that’s slightly out of reach but still close enough to chase. There’s something powerful about building an idea from scratch and watching it grow into something that can help people or bring them together. If I could combine my love for creativity with my passion for helping kids, I know I could create something special. I just don’t know exactly what that looks like yet, and I’m learning to accept that uncertainty. The steps I need to take aren’t perfectly mapped out, but I do know the direction I need to walk in: keep learning, keep exploring, and keep saying yes to new opportunities. I want to gain more experience in marketing, learn the ins and outs of running a business, and surround myself with people who inspire me and challenge me. I want to stay open to change instead of trying to force myself into a box that no longer fits. And most importantly, I want to stay true to the values that matter to me: creativity, compassion, and making a positive impact. My “Pie in the Sky” dream isn’t one job. It’s the chance to create a life filled with meaning, growth, and purpose. Even if I don’t have all the answers right now, I’m willing to do the hard work to eventually build something that matters. And to me, that’s a dream worth chasing.

As someone who’s always been fascinated by how the mind works, becoming a psychiatrist feels like the perfect way to make a real difference in people’s lives. It’s not just about treating mental illnesses—it’s about helping people feel understood, supported, and capable of living the lives they want. Here’s how I see myself contributing to a better world in the future. The first and most important part of being a psychiatrist is helping people. Everyone faces tough times, and mental health struggles can be incredibly isolating. I want to be the person people can trust to help them work through those challenges. Whether it’s through therapy, medication, or just being a good listener, my goal is to help each person I work with feel better, stronger, and more in control of their life.Let’s be honest—there’s still a lot of stigma around mental health. Too many people are afraid to admit they need help because they think it makes them look weak or broken. That’s something I’m determined to change. I want to be part of the movement that makes mental health conversations as normal as talking about physical health. Whether it’s through community talks, social media, or just everyday conversations, I’ll work to help people see that mental health is just as important as any other part of life. One of the biggest challenges right now is that not everyone can get the help they need. Mental health care is often expensive, hard to find, or just not available in certain areas. I want to advocate for policies and programs that make it easier for everyone—regardless of where they live or how much money they have—to get quality mental health care. That could mean supporting telehealth services, working with nonprofits, or even volunteering my time to help underserved communities. Technology has changed everything, and mental health care is no exception. I’m excited about how tools like apps, online therapy, and even AI can make mental health support more accessible. As a psychiatrist, I’d love to stay on top of these innovations and use them to reach people who might not otherwise get help. Mental health issues don’t wait until adulthood to show up. Kids and teens are dealing with more stress and pressure than ever, and they need support. I want to work closely with young people to help them build the skills and confidence they need to handle life’s challenges. That might mean teaming up with schools, parents, or community groups to create programs that make a real difference for young people. No one can tackle mental health care alone. It takes a team—therapists, social workers, teachers, and even families—to make sure people get the full support they need. I want to be part of that team, collaborating with others to create solutions that are as holistic and effective as possible. At the end of the day, it’s the small, consistent efforts that make the biggest difference. Every person I help, every stigma I challenge, and every barrier I help break down can create a ripple effect. The way I see it, improving one person’s mental health can lead to stronger families, better communities, and ultimately, a better world. Becoming a psychiatrist isn’t just about having a career—it’s about making an impact. And while I know I won’t solve every problem, I believe that with compassion, dedication, and a little creativity, I can do my part to make life a little better for the people I meet along the way.

My experience with mental health has profoundly shaped my career aspirations of becoming a psychiatrist. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand how mental health challenges can affect individuals and their families. Whether through my own struggles, those of close friends, or observing loved ones navigate difficult periods, I developed a deep awareness of how mental health impacts every aspect of a person’s life. These experiences fueled my desire to understand the complexities of the human mind and sparked my commitment to supporting others in their mental health journeys. As someone who has often been the “therapist friend,” I’ve naturally taken on the role of providing emotional support to those around me. Friends and peers have consistently turned to me for guidance, trusting me to listen without judgment and offer thoughtful advice. I’ve helped others navigate a variety of challenges, from academic pressure and relationship struggles to anxiety and depression. These experiences not only honed my ability to empathize and communicate effectively but also reinforced my belief in the transformative power of being heard and understood. Through these interactions, I realized how much I value helping others feel less alone in their struggles. At the same time, I began to recognize the limitations of informal support. While my role as a confidant has been meaningful, I often felt a desire to do more—to offer practical tools and evidence-based strategies to help people manage their mental health more effectively. This realization solidified my decision to pursue psychiatry, a field that bridges the gap between emotional understanding and medical expertise. My academic journey has further deepened my passion for this path. Studying psychology and mental health has provided me with a foundational understanding of the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental well-being. Courses on abnormal psychology, neuroscience, and human behavior have fascinated me, offering insights into the intricacies of mental health disorders and their treatments. Additionally, volunteering at mental health organizations and participating in peer support initiatives have allowed me to engage directly with individuals facing mental health challenges, further affirming my commitment to this field. My experiences with mental health have also shaped my vision for my future career. As a psychiatrist, I aspire to provide holistic, patient-centered care that addresses the unique needs of each individual. I want to create safe and inclusive spaces where people feel comfortable seeking help and understood in their struggles. Beyond clinical practice, I hope to contribute to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, advocating for greater access to mental health resources and education. Ultimately, my journey with mental health—both personal and through supporting others—has fueled my passion for understanding the mind and helping people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Psychiatry offers the perfect blend of science, empathy, and advocacy, allowing me to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. I’m excited to dedicate my future to this meaningful work, using my experiences and education to empower individuals on their mental health journeys.

As a college student, I’ve naturally fallen into the role of the “therapist friend,” a responsibility I’ve embraced with empathy and care. Friends and peers often turn to me when they need a safe, judgment-free space to share their struggles, knowing I will listen with understanding and compassion. Whether helping someone work through relationship challenges, manage academic stress, or process difficult emotions, I’ve always made it a priority to be a steady source of comfort and encouragement. These experiences have taught me the value of active listening, patience, and the power of simply being present for someone in need. This role has also deepened my passion for mental health and inspired my decision to pursue a career in psychiatry. My academic journey in psychology and related fields has equipped me with a foundational understanding of mental health issues and their impact on individuals and communities. Beyond academics, I’ve sought out opportunities to volunteer at mental health organizations and participate in peer mentorship programs, further solidifying my commitment to helping others navigate life’s challenges. Looking ahead, I plan to use my studies and eventual career as a psychiatrist to provide holistic, person-centered care that addresses both the emotional and biological aspects of mental health. My goal is to create safe and inclusive spaces where individuals from all walks of life feel comfortable seeking help. By combining the empathy I’ve developed as a supportive friend with the clinical expertise I’ll gain through my training, I aim to empower others to better understand and manage their mental health. In addition to patient care, I hope to contribute to broader efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, encouraging open conversations and advocating for accessible mental health services. Whether through private practice, community outreach, or research, I want to make a meaningful impact by helping people feel understood, valued, and equipped to overcome their challenges. Ultimately, my journey from being the “therapist friend” to a future psychiatrist is driven by a commitment to supporting others emotionally and professionally. I’m excited to transform my passion into a lifelong career, helping individuals heal, grow, and thrive in their mental health journeys.

I have seasonal affective disorder. It affects me the most during the busiest time of my school year, the fall. I am balancing cheerleading, new classes with loads of work, and undiagnosed depression. I have always been scared to go to a professional to get diagnosed because I don't like feeling as if there is something wrong with me. The effects the disorder was having on me were very off-putting for me initially. I began to sleep a lot, eat excessively or not eat enough. I began to distance myself from all my loved ones and friends at school. All I wanted was to be by myself, not only because I had a low social battery but also because I didn't want anyone to know what was going on with me. I was too uncomfortable to ask for help and support because I didn't want to be seen as a burden. To combat depression, I have tried many solutions. Solutions such as purposeful excessive sleeping, disguising my sadness, and joining the wrong crowd were immediate responses which didn’t provide solutions. Throughout the years, I have realized that my plan of action was not the best. My mother required me to see a therapist on two separate occasions for months at a time, as I struggled with thoughts of self-harm. The pain of living and not meeting self-imposed and outside expectations seemed insurmountable. I simply wanted the pain and sadness to end. Although I often had thoughts of self-harm, there was something inside me that kept telling me to hang in there and that there was more in store for me. One of the main solutions that has helped me is creating a solid support circle full of friends, trusted adults who can help me through it and developing my relationship with God. The friends I can hang out with anytime and relax and be myself without the stress and I can vent to them and tell them anything. The trusted adults give me advice from their years of life and advise me on what can help and who I can call on. Doing things that I love also helped me. I turned cheerleading into an escape instead of another stressor. School was still stressful but I made the change to not dread it because I’m able to see all my friends. I’ve learned so many lessons from experiencing mental health challenges. The main one I learned was to never be afraid to ask for help. The people who truly love you and care for you will never view you as a burden. They will do almost anything they can to help you. Even if you have no support system at home or are afraid to ask for help from the people around you, there is a world of opportunities online to receive help. I also learned strategies to help me work through my anxiety and depression. There are times that I need to disconnect or step away from a stressful situation, regroup and come back with a plan to address the concern. I’ve learned that I don’t have to have all the answers, that I will make mistakes, I will fail and I don’t have to be perfect! I’ve learned that I have everything I need within me to accomplish any goal I set for myself. In addition to that, there are so many components of life to be grateful for and to look forward to, and that alone keeps me motivated to keep going!

I have seasonal affective disorder. It affects me the most during the busiest time of my school year, the fall. I am balancing cheerleading, new classes with loads of work, and undiagnosed depression. I have always been scared to go to a professional to get diagnosed because I don't like feeling as if there is something wrong with me. The effects the disorder was having on me were very off-putting for me initially. I began to sleep a lot, eat excessively or not eat enough. I began to distance myself from all my loved ones and friends at school. All I wanted was to be by myself, not only because I had a low social battery but also because I didn't want anyone to know what was going on with me. I was too uncomfortable to ask for help and support because I didn't want to be seen as a burden. To combat depression, I have tried many solutions. Solutions such as purposeful excessive sleeping, disguising my sadness, and joining the wrong crowd were immediate responses which didn’t provide solutions. Throughout the years, I have realized that my plan of action was not the best. My mother required me to see a therapist on two separate occasions for months at a time, as I struggled with thoughts of self-harm. The pain of living and not meeting self-imposed and outside expectations seemed insurmountable. I simply wanted the pain and sadness to end. Although I often had thoughts of self-harm, there was something inside me that kept telling me to hang in there and that there was more in store for me. One of the main solutions that has helped me is creating a solid support circle full of friends, trusted adults who can help me through it and developing my relationship with God. The friends I can hang out with anytime and relax and be myself without the stress and I can vent to them and tell them anything. The trusted adults give me advice from their years of life and advise me on what can help and who I can call on. Doing things that I love also helped me. I turned cheerleading into an escape instead of another stressor. School was still stressful but I made the change to not dread it because I’m able to see all my friends. I’ve learned so many lessons from experiencing mental health challenges. The main one I learned was to never be afraid to ask for help. The people who truly love you and care for you will never view you as a burden. They will do almost anything they can to help you. Even if you have no support system at home or are afraid to ask for help from the people around you, there is a world of opportunities online to receive help. I also learned strategies to help me work through my anxiety and depression. There are times that I need to disconnect or step away from a stressful situation, regroup and come back with a plan to address the concern. I’ve learned that I don’t have to have all the answers, that I will make mistakes, I will fail and I don’t have to be perfect! I’ve learned that I have everything I need within me to accomplish any goal I set for myself. In addition to that, there are so many components of life to be grateful for and to look forward to, and that alone keeps me motivated to keep going!

The world can be a very cruel and mean place. Parents are often scared to allow their children out of the house without them because there is no telling what could happen. In the world we live in, they have every right to feel that way. No one should have to fear about feeling safe in the community they live in. This fear is a part of the reason that I would like to go into the field of criminal justice and/ or criminology. Everyone is not built to stand up to some of the scariest criminals in the world, but I find their past and it's connection to their actions as an adult interesting. This interest in more than just their crimes makes me feel as though I am one of the few fit enough to work in this field. In the field of criminal justice I plan on going into, I will be tasked with bringing these criminals to justice and pulling them off the streets. This will make the world a better place purely based off of the fact that it will create safe environments for people to live in. This feeling of criminals being pulled off of the streets, will make people feel more comfortable in the neighborhoods they live in. Obviously, it is nearly impossible to pull every criminal off of the street, but it is at least a start. I also plan to be heavily invested in the church and it will be needed in the criminal justice field. While I am bringing justice to victim's family members, I plan to possibly go to jail or prison facilities and teach about the goodness of God. My plan for teaching about the goodness of God might be able to sway criminals into a better life, even if they are on the track to never get out of the facility. Even if the criminal cannot get out of jail, there will be another saved soul and I will be proud to have spread the gospel no matter the outcome. They might even go around their facility and continue to spread the word of God that I have spread unto them. In either circumstance, it is a win in my book and a win in the Kingdom of the Lord's. God has saved me on more accounts than I can count on my hands, so it would be an honor to spread his goodness to the people that need it the most.

The world can be a very cruel and mean place. Parents are often scared to allow their children out of the house without them because there is no telling what could happen. In the world we live in, they have every right to feel that way. No one should have to fear about feeling safe in the community they live in. This fear is a part of the reason that I would like to go into the field of criminal justice and/ or criminology. Everyone is not built to stand up to some of the scariest criminals in the world, but I find their past and its connection to their actions as an adult interesting. This interest in more than just their crimes makes me feel as though I am one of the few fit enough to work in this field. In the field of criminal justice, I plan on going into, I will be tasked with bringing these criminals to justice and pulling them off the streets. This will make the world a better place purely based on the fact that it will create safe environments for people to live in. This feeling of criminals being pulled off of the streets will make people feel more comfortable in the neighborhoods they live in. It is nearly impossible to pull every criminal off of the street, but it is at least a start. I also plan to be heavily invested in the church and it will be needed in the criminal justice field. While I am bringing justice to victim's family members, I plan to possibly go to jail or prison facilities and teach about the goodness of God. My plan for teaching about the goodness of God might be able to sway criminals into a better life, even if they are on the track to never get out of the facility. Even if the criminal cannot get out of jail, there will be another saved soul and I will be proud to have spread the gospel no matter the outcome. They might even go around their facility and continue to spread the word of God that I have spread unto them. In either circumstance, it is a win in my book and a win in the Kingdom of the Lord. God has saved me on more accounts than I can count on my hands, so it would be an honor to spread his goodness to the people who need it the most.

The world can be a very cruel and mean place. Parents are often scared to allow their children out of the house without them because there is no telling what could happen. In the world we live in, they have every right to feel that way. No one should have to fear about feeling safe in the community they live in. This fear is a part of the reason that I would like to go into the field of criminal justice and/ or criminology. Everyone is not built to stand up to some of the scariest criminals in the world, but I find their past and it's connection to their actions as an adult interesting. This interest in more than just their crimes makes me feel as though I am one of the few fit enough to work in this field. In the field of criminal justice I plan on going into, I will be tasked with bringing these criminals to justice and pulling them off the streets. This will make the world a better place purely based off of the fact that it will create safe environments for people to live in. This feeling of criminals being pulled off of the streets, will make people feel more comfortable in the neighborhoods they live in. Obviously, it is nearly impossible to pull every criminal off of the street, but it is at least a start. I also plan to be heavily invested in the church and it will be needed in the criminal justice field. While I am bringing justice to victim's family members, I plan to possibly go to jail or prison facilities and teach about the goodness of God. My plan for teaching about the goodness of God might be able to sway criminals into a better life, even if they are on the track to never get out of the facility. Even if the criminal cannot get out of jail, there will be another saved soul and I will be proud to have spread the gospel no matter the outcome. They might even go around their facility and continue to spread the word of God that I have spread unto them. In either circumstance, it is a win in my book and a win in the Kingdom of the Lord's. God has saved me on more accounts than I can count on my hands, so it would be an honor to spread his goodness to the people that need it the most.

Criminology and forensic science have been an interest of mine for quite some time. From a very young age, I used to be highly intrigued as my mother and I would watch the ID channel on television. I vouched to be like the detectives on the television, solving the crimes and bringing people to justice. Many people cannot comprehend when I try to explain how fascinating the minds of criminals are and how often, their connection to their childhood traumas causes them to act in harmful ways toward others. Taking a psychology class showed me more in-depth how certain events in one's life can lead to certain behavioral choices and the belief that there is nothing wrong with these choices. This class only fueled my fire for criminology even more. With every episode of any criminal justice or crime-solving show I watched, I felt increasingly worse for the victims and their families. All the pain and suffering they were put through with the series of events was something I would never wish on my worst enemy. These moments and realizations led me to my interest in criminal justice in addition to my already fueled interest in the mind of a criminal. This cause has pushed me to want to enter the minds of criminals and solve cases to bring families justice for their loved ones who have suffered heinous crimes. Growing up as a child in the gifted program, I am also very used to challenges and puzzles. Solving crimes to me is like solving one big puzzle building the evidence piece by piece and for a good cause. For me, it's also not just about solving the puzzle though, it's about creating safer communities for people across the country. No one deserves to live in fear of a serial killer, or someone else capable of committing horrifying crimes. There is also so much to explore in the world of criminology or forensic science. There are so many fields that can fall under the umbrella such as law, psychology, and sociology which are all equally interesting. All fields come together to solve crimes as well. This field is the true epitome of teamwork. The suspect's and criminal's actions seem to tear everybody apart but the actions of solving the crimes bring people together from all over the world for one purpose. The purpose in question? The fight for justice and a safer world.