I earned my undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sports Science in May 2010. I recently started a master's degree in neuroscience. One may ask why I would decide to go back to school after being out for nearly 16 years. The birth of my son in 2023 prompted me to go back to school. My son gave me a new sense of purpose. I knew that going back to school would give me the chance to give him the best chance in life. Before I had my son, simply coasting through life was fine with me. I no longer want to just "get by" in life. I want to thrive for the sake of my son and my own sake. However, there have been several challenges that I have encountered along the way. You need to have a strong support system in order to go back to school. I do have a support system, but I do not get any help from my son's father. He has not been involved in his son's life since he was four months old. Parenting is meant to be a two-person job. However, I am doing the job of two parents, which makes this journey a lot harder than it has to be. My son is not in daycare, so he is home with me when I am studying. I have to make sure that he is entertained and doesn't get into any trouble while I am doing my school work. Finances have also made this journey more difficult. Graduate school is even more expensive than undergraduate. I received scholarships and grants during my undergraduate career. I don't qualify for any grants, and I am still waiting to hear back from the numerous scholarships I have applied for. Not only am I struggling to find ways to pay for school, but I also struggle with personal finances. Bills still have to be paid, and my son still has to be taken care of while I am in school. Balancing it all can be overwhelming at times. Although though this road is challenging, I am determined to make it to the finish line. The challenges that I am going through will seem insignificant once I walk across that stage and earn my degree. I am looking forward to the life that I will be able to build with my son after I have my degree.

My son is the primary reason that I have decided to continue my education. Before I had my son, education was something that I had put on the back burner. I was perfectly fine just coasting through life and making enough money just to get by. However, I know that continuing my education will allow me to give my son the type of life that he deserves. Just getting by doesn't cut it when you have another life who is dependent on you. Balance is one of the keys to achieving your goals without becoming overly stressed out. I have a great support system. Even though my son's biological father is not involved, my family helps out a lot with my son. For example, if I need extra time to study and complete my assignments, they will watch my son for me. I know that a good support system is not something that a lot of single parents have, so I am so grateful for it. I also know that it is important for me to take care of myself while I am raising my son and pursuing my education goals. I always make time to do some of the things that I like. For example, I love to work out. I try to get exercise in most days of the week. My health is one of my top priorities because I have to be at my best to do well in school and raise my son. I also like to travel and go out to eat. I believe it is essential to have fun while pursuing your goals. Having a great support system also makes this possible. Money is often an issue as a single mom. It doesn't help that my son's dad does not contribute anything financially. Even though I get help from my family, most of the financial burden is on me. Raising children is expensive just like an education is. That is why money is something that I think about constantly. I have accumulated a lot of debt from my undergraduate degree. That is why I am trying to finish my master's degree with as little debt as possible. This scholarship will allow me to worry less about money and focus more on my education. It will also help me avoid getting into the debt trap. Higher education is important, but I don't believe that it should require you to go into six-figure debt.

My life has been filled with numerous adversaries. However, becoming a single mom has been the most difficult thing I have had to overcome in my life. Even though this was a major challenge, it was the catalyst that I needed to continue my education. I entered a relationship that I never should have been in March 2022. The relationship was contentious from the start. It was marred by severe emotional and verbal abuse. I got pregnant in June 2022. I was ecstatic to be pregnant because I always wanted to be a mom. However, I knew that this situation was not ideal. I had my son in February 2023. He was born 3.5 weeks early and had to spend five days in neonatal intensive care. The birth of my son gave me a new purpose. However, it finally made me realize that my son's father would never change. The relationship came to an end in June 2023. I had to move back to my hometown and start my life from scratch. I knew that something had to change. I had no money or resources. However, I still had my love for learning. I knew that continuing my education would allow my son and I to have the best life possible. My son's father is not reliable, so I have to rely on myself. Continuing my education will allow me to get a better-paying job with benefits. This will greatly improve the quality of life for both my son and I. The advice that I would give to someone who is dealing with a similar situation is to keep going. It sounds cliche', but you have no choice but to move forward with your life when you are faced with a difficult circumstance. There is no such thing as "I can't do it" when you have a child that is totally dependent on you. I would also recommend surrounding yourself with a good support system. You cannot get through life without having people in your life who will encourage you and give you help when you need it. I know that I could not do anything without my awesome support system. Furthermore, I would advise someone who is in a similar situation to evaluate your life and goals. Think about the type of life that you want for yourself and your child. You should set goals that will enable you to achieve the standard of living you desire.

I am 37 years old and a single mom to a three-year-old. Motherhood has stretched me in more ways than I can imagine, but I am a better person for it. The challenges I have endured in motherhood have taught me the importance of perseverance. There is no such thing as "I can't do it" when you are a mother. I want to make sure that my son has the best life possible. He is the reason that I have decided to continue my education. I am pursuing a master's degree in neuroscience. My anticipated graduation date is May 2028. I plan to work in the field of medical research. I hope to develop treatments that can improve brain health. I know that going back to school and earning my degree will allow me to pursue a lucrative career. I feel that I am uniquely deserving of this award because I have faced several challenges to get to the point where I am at now. I survived an abusive relationship during my pregnancy and postpartum period. I have also had to move back home and rebuild my life from scratch. Everyone needs help to get to where they ultimately need to be in life. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my education and less on money. It will be a huge blessing to me.

I am 37 years old and have decided to return to school after being out for nearly 16 years. I have a three-year-old son who has given me a greater sense of purpose. He inspires me to strive for the top and finish what I started. My son's father and I split up when our son was just four-months-old. Ever since then, it has been my son and I against the world. I have always been someone who enjoyed learning. I spend a lot of time reading and researching various topics. My love for learning is one of the factors that led me to pursue further education. Science is one of my favorite subjects. I am currently pursuing a master's degree in neuroscience and will graduate in 2028. Outside of academics, I enjoy exercising, traveling and going out to eat. I think that it is important to have a good work/life balance. I also believe that self-care is extremely important. It is impossible to be at your best if you do not take care of yourself. I believe that being a good role model is one of the best things that anyone can do to give back to their community. Many young black women do not have anyone to look up to. If you do not see someone who looks like you doing something that you want to do, then it can be hard for you to believe that you can achieve your dreams. There were several women who helped shaped me to be who I am today. I want to help other women fulfil their dreams. I want to show them that even if you have not had the easiest road, you can still do what you set out to do in life. Another way that I plan to contribute to both my community and the world is with my work. I plan on working in the field of medical research after I graduate. I want to help develop treatments that can improve brain health so that people can live longer, healthier lives. I believe that health is the greatest wealth that you can have. Furthermore, I know that money can make a major difference in both individual lives and the lives of people in a community. I know that continuing my education will allow me to have access to more lucrative job opportunities. I plan to donate my money to help people who need a hand up in life. I know what it is like to be down on your luck and need someone to help you. I want to ensure that I am able to pay it forward and make a difference in someone else's life.

I have chosen to follow a career in STEM because I have a love for science. This love began in high school. My favorite subject in high school was biology. Although it was challenging, the fact that it was such an exciting subject made the challenge worthwhile. My favorite portion of my biology classes was the labs. The labs allowed me to see what I had learned in the classroom in action. I also learned how you can alter certain variables to change the outcome of the experiment. My senior year biology teacher was highly encouraging. She told me that I not only needed to pursue a career in science, but I needed to strive for the top because I was capable. I ended up tying with another student for the highest grade in my biology class, my senior year. When I went to college, I decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science with a concentration in basic sciences. I graduated from college in 2010 and decided that I wanted to pursue a master's degree over a year ago. I had no intention of continuing my education, but there were two things in my life that prompted me to continue my education. One of those things was the birth of my son in 2023. He totally changed my world for the better, and I cannot imagine my life without him. However, the relationship that I had with his dad fell apart shortly after the birth. I knew that I had to do something different because I could not rely on his father. The STEM field has many well-paying opportunities that will allow me to give my son the best life possible. Furthermore, the love that I have for science has never gone away. It has only grown stronger. I know that having my son was a part of my purpose. Making an impact in the field of science is another part of that purpose. I have decided to pursue a master's degree in neuroscience. I plan to work in the field of medical research. I want to help develop new treatments that can improve brain health. Representation is important. BIPOC people are underrepresented in the STEM field. One of the reasons that they are hesistant to pursue a career in the STEM field is because they may not have seen many people who look like them. I want to show them that it is possible for them to live their dreams regardless of the background they come from.

I am 37 years old and have decided to pursue a master's degree in neuroscience. It wasn't easy for me to decide to go back to school after being out for nearly 16 years. However, two of my loves compelled me to continue my education. My first is my love for my son. I had a little boy in 2023. My son totally changed my world for the better. However, the relationship that I was in shortly fell apart after he was born. I know that the father of my child is not reliable. That is why I decided to continue my education. I know that furthering my education will afford me the opportunity to give my son the life that he truly deserves. Higher education often leads to higher-paying opportunities. I want to put myself in a position to be able to take advantage of those opportunities. I also want to set a good example for other women in my community. I want to show them that you can overcome difficult circumstances and live the type of life that you deserve. My second love that led me to continue my ducation is my love for science. The field of science has always fascinated me. It is a field that is always changing, and there is always something new to learn. When I was in school, my favorite part of my science classes was the lab experiments we did. I loved seeing how you could change different variables to alter the results. It fascinated me, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in science field. I pursued other fields after I went to college. I have worked as a canvasser, freelance writer and warehouse worker. Even though I haven't worked in my desired field yet, my love for science has only grown stronger. I spend a lot of time reading and researching scientific articles. I have also taken various non-degree courses. I decided that since I have taken all of these courses, it just made since to just continue my education. I was also reminded of something my high school biology teacher told me. She told me that I had a future in science, and I should strive for the top. It is amazing how far you can go when you have someone who encourages you. I look forward to working in the fields of neuroscience and research. I also look forward to making a positive impact on my community. Most importantly, I look forward to being the woman my son will admire.

I am 37 years old, a mother of one and an avid learner. I earned my bachelor's degree nearly 16 years ago. I have always been someone who loved reading and expanding my knowledge on a wide variety of topics. However, I had no intention of earning my master's degree until I had my son. I separated from my son's father when our child was only four months old. I knew that I could not rely on my son's father, so I would have to rely on myself. I decided that going back to school would give me the best opportunity to enhance the quality of life for both of us. It is amazing the impact that a good teacher can have on you. When I was deciding which degree I should pursue, I was reminded of something that my 12th grade biology teacher said to me. She told me that I had a future in science and that I should go for the top. I have always been interested in the medical field. New research is constantly coming out, and it is always changing. I am passionate about neuroscience, which is my major. I am interesting in working in the area of medical research. My favorite part of the science classes that I took was the lab portion. I loved doing labs and seeing how changing variables to alter the outcome of the experiment. My love for nueroscience and lab work is why I am interested in pursuing a career in the brain research field. I am interesting helping develop treatments that can improve brain health. I am also passionate about helping people improve their overall health and wellness. Being a black woman in a STEM field means a lot to me. I know that we are underrepresented in this field. It is estimated that black women only make up 1.6 to 2.9 percent of the STEM field. Less than one percent of black women work in the field of neuroscience. I want to show others that it doesn't matter what background you come from. If you work hard and have the right support system in place, then you can achieve the goals that you set. It is also important for me to set an example and be a positive role model for everyone I encounter. I know that by continuing my education and supporting my community, I will be able to achieve that.

Being a single mother pursuing higher education is not an easy task. Such a task would be hard for anybody, but being a single mother presents many unique challenges. The most difficult part of this journey is balancing everything. I am a mother before anything else. My son's needs have to be taken care of before anything else is done. My son has a speech delay, so we have to travel 45 minutes one way for him to get speech therapy. He will soon start occupational therapy, which means that we will be taking this journey twice a week. It takes a significant amount of my time, but it is my responsibility as a mother to ensure that he gets everything else that he needs. Because I am a single mother who gets no financial help from her child's father, I also have to work. I currently work from home, so that makes it a little easier to balance everything. However, working, going to school and taking my son to his appointments every week is still a lot for one person. It is also important for me to make time for myself as a mother. I enjoy things like working out, watching movies and getting my hair done. Doing the things that I love helps keep me sane. Even though there have been numerous challenges during this journey, there have also been some high moments. I feel good every time that I make an excellent grade on a test. I know that studying hard and focusing on my education is paying off now, and it will continue to pay off in the future. Every time that I attend my classes, I have to remind myself that this just isn't for me. It is also for my son. We will both have a brighter future when I get my master's degree in neuroscience. I plan to work in the area of medical research. There are many lucrative careers in the medical field. More money means more opportunity to give back to both my family and the community. However, it isn't all about the money. I want to use my knowledge and medical research to help people live longer and healthier lives. I know that this is a part of my purpose. I have spent several years trying to figure out what I was put on this Earth to do. I know that being a mother to my little boy was a part of that purpose. Education will help me fulfill the rest of that purpose.

I am 37 years old and have decided to return to school to earn my master's degree in neuroscience. The decision to return to school nearly 16 years after earning my bachelor's degree was not an easy one, but there are several factors that led me to take this route. My three-year-old son is my greatest motivation and want to make sure that he has the best life possible. I know that continuing my education will give me better opportunities. My love for learning is another factor that led me to continue my education. I love reading and expanding my knowledge on a variety of subjects. I decided that since I loved learning so much, it just made sense for me to earn a degree. I have always been a studious person. I graduated from high school in 2006 with a 3.5 GPA. I was a member of the National Beta Club, which is a club that is reserved for students who have at least a B average. I also participated in several extracurricular activities while I focused on my studies. I was a member of the JROTC drill team and raider team. The drill team is focused on marching and executing commands with precision. The raider team is focused on various physical exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups and running. My other extracurricular activities included chorus, student government and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). I continued studying hard and participating in extracurricular activities while I was in college. I made the Dean's List four times. I was also involved in Cirkle K, which is a community service group. We were required to volunteer at least three hours out of the month. My primary volunteer activity was reading to children at the campus daycare center. I was also involved in a Christian organization called Daughters of Zion. We went to church together. We also did social activities such as skating and bowling. Additionally, we volunteered at the local animal shelter. Additionally, I was elected to student council my junior year and served until I graduated. We worked together to address the concerns of the students at the school. We had monthly town halls so that students could talk about the issues that they deemed the most important. I graduated in May 2010 with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science. My path after graduation did not go exactly as planned. I struggled to find a job in my field because the major is geared towards people who are interested in graduate school. My primary job since graduating has been freelance writing. I started in November 2010 and have written thousands of articles on a variety of subjects including health, fitness, current events, relationships and religion. Other jobs that I have held since graduating from college include canvasser and warehouse worker. I volunteer with my church several hours out of the month. I help serve meals at a local soup kitchen. My church also has a group for both seniors and children. Both groups have programs at least once a month, and I assist with those programs. Challenge is a catalyst for change. One of my biggest challenges in life led me to the change that I needed in my life. In March 2022, I entered a relationship I never should have been in. Less than three months into the relationship, I got pregnant. Even though my son is one my greatest blessings, I know that the way he came into the world was not right. The relationship was marred with severe emotional and verbal abuse. This had a lasting impact on me. That relationship came to an end in June 2023. Even though the relationship was a traumatic experience, it was also a learning experience. It is also one of the decisions that led me to return to school. I knew that I could not depend on my child's father. He barely did anything for our son while we were together and has done even less since we split up. I have to depend on myself and God. That is why I am in school now. Money has been the main barrier to education. However, I want to focus my attention on school and not have to worry about how I will pay for it. Being a single mom on a limited income and trying to go back to school is not an easy task. However, I know that this storm in my life will be brief, and I will come out victorious in the end with God's help.

I have always had a passion for healthcare. I can remember watching medical schools like ER and Strong Medicine as a child and just being fascinated by what I saw. Even though what I watched was dramatized fiction, it still gave me a glimpse of what the medical field was like. When I was in high school, I excelled in the field of science. It was a subject that came easy to me because I loved reading and researching. I also enjoyed doing science projects. The world of science fascinated me, so I knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. When I went to college, I ended up switching majors twice. Even though I knew that I wanted to have a career in science and health, I wasn't quite sure about the path I wanted to take. I started off as a nursing major and then I switched to dental hygiene. I eventually switched my major to exercise and sports science, which is what I earned my bachelor's degree in. I was intent on going to graduate school after I earned my bachelor's degree. However, I decided to take some time from school and work for a few years. Nearly 16 years later, my love for science and health has compelled me to go back to school and earn my degree. I knew that when I decided to go back to school for my master's degree, I wanted to have a clear idea of what I wanted to do after I graduated. I researched several fields and decided that the field of neuroscience was what interested me the most. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes in the healthcare field that many people do not see. I want to work in the field of medical research and contribute to the world of neuroscience. I am interested in finding ways to help improve brain health so that people can live longer and healthier lives. I hope that I can also help find cures for devastating brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. I look forward to seeing how I can change the field of neuroscience for the better. It is also important for me to set a good example for young black women. Black women only make up two percent of the STEM field, and they make up less than one percent of the neuroscience field. I want to show black women what is possible when you set a goal, work hard and stay focused.

Option 3: Purpose and Connection My high school history teacher said something to me that I will never forget. He said, "You can be a loner, but you can't live alone." I don't know if that is his original saying, but it is something that has been etched in my mind for over 20 years. I have realized that my success is not only shaped by the decisions that I make, but it is also shaped by the people I surround myself with every day. When I was 18, I had my first long-term relationship. Even though the relationship came to an end after three eventful years, he had a lasting impact on me. He was supportive in the decisions that I made. He also told me that if I put my mind to it, then I can get the reward that I am looking for in the end. I have also realized that a bad relationship can also shape you for the better. I entered a relationship in 2022 with a man who would eventually become my son's dad. It was a tumultuous relationship that was marred with verbal and emotional abuse. Even though that relationship had a negative impact on me, it was the catalyst that I needed to change my life. I realized that I was just doing things in my life because I was comfortable. I had become used to just coasting through life and barely getting by. I also realized that I could not rely on my son's dad. I decided that going back to school to get my master's degree would give me the best chance to give my son the life that he deserves. Romantic relationships were not the only type of relationships that helped shape my goals. My friendships also impacted me. I am a firm believer in the saying, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with". When I first heard this quote several years ago, I realized that I needed to change my inner circle. One of my best friends is a lot like me. She sets her goals high and works hard to achieve them. Even if there is an obstacle, she manages to overcome it. She has been such an inspiration to me. I look at her and say "If she can do it, then so can I. I have also had a friend who was more like a "Debbie Downer." She was always complaining. I can totally understand venting, but I have no desire to listen to someone who constantly complains. I have to ask "What are you doing to change this situation?" I had to let this Debbie Downer friend go. It was painful, but she was draining me with her constant complaining. My life is much better without a pessimistic friend in my life. I knew that if I kept her around, then this would be a hindrance to meeting my goals. It is impossible to go through life without having any type of relationship with another human being. However, the people you surround yourself with can shape your life for the better or worse.

The average student owes nearly $40,000 in college debt. It is amazing how much the cost of college has increased since more people have decided to start going in order to give themselves a better chance in life. I currently have over $30,000 in debt from my undergraduate degree. There are multiple ways that I plan to address this. I am currently on an income-driven repayment plan. This is a plan where I pay a small amount of my income every month. It will fluctuate based on the amount of money that I make. The remaining balance will be forgiven by the year 2037 if it is not paid off. Even though I am currently not required to make a payment because of my low income, I will still make small payments. I know that making small payments will allow me to get out of debt faster and save on interest. It will also reduce my tax liabilty. Furthermore, if another opportunity arises to get my total debt forgiven at one time, I will apply for it. I applied for it before, but my application was not accepted. I am someone who doesn't believe in giving up, so I will take advantage of whatever opportunity arises to get this debt erased. I am currently pursuing a master's degree. My master's degree will actually be more costly than my undergraduate education even though it is an online program. The best way to avoid student loan debt is to not get into in the first place. Even though it seems unavoidable, there are a myraid of scholarships available. I spend a lot of time on the internet researching and applying for scholarship. I carefully read the selection criteria and apply if I meet the requirements. There were multiple mistakes that I made during my time as an undergraduate student. I didn't know about the millions of dollars of scholarship money that go unclaimed each year because I didn't do the research. I also borrowed more money that I actually needed. I know that by applying for scholarships and not taking out anymore student loan debt, I can continue my education without worrying about any additional financial burden. Additionally, I plan to work part-time while pursuing my master's degree. I will only be taking one class at a time, which leaves more time to work. I can put part of the money that I earn working towards my master's degree. Student loan debt has been a major hurdle that I have to overcome. However, it will not stop me from pursuing my dreams.

When you are raised by a single mother, everyone tells you that you have the odds stacked against you. They cite statistics that tell you that you are more likely to be incarcerated, drop out of high school or become a teenage parent. However, I was determined to defy the odds. I have always been a person who wanted to prove people wrong. My experience of being raised by a single mother showed me that you can overcome any obstacles thrown your way. I watched my own mother do what was seemingly impossible such as providing everything that we needed on a limited income. This showed me that when you have motivation and willpower, you can do just about anything. I am pursuing a master's degree in neuroscience. I actually had no intention on going back to school after I earned my master's degree. However, I changed my mind after becoming a single mom to a four month old boy. I knew that continuing my education would allow me to give him the best life possible. I plan to make a positive impact in my community by volunteering my time to help other children who have come from a single-parent home or had to overcome a difficult obstacle. I also plan to donate to charities that help underprivileged children.

According to the National Science Foundation, black women make up only two to three percent of careers in the STEM field. This means that black women are underrepresented in this field, but it motivates me to continue my studies. Many people have big dreams for their lives. However, they do not believe that they can achieve those dreams until they see someone who looks like them working in the same field. I want to be an example of what you can do if you have a goal, set the bar high for yourself and work towards that goal. It is essential for people to know that even if they are faced with insurmountable obstacles, they can still have the career and life they desire. My own journey has not been the easiest. My parents divorced when I was just six years old. I also had to adjust to the birth of a new sibling. This adversely impacted my schooling. I didn't do well in the second grade, and my teacher even suggested that I be placed in special education classes. However, my parents refused. Even though I didn't do the best, I did pass the second grade. I did extremely well in the third grade. I even made the honor roll the first semester. It is amazing how much a new grade and new teacher can cause you to do a total 180 as far as grades. I did well for the rest of my time in school. I had numerous challenges, including dealing with merciless bullying, but I still prevailed. Even though I had a keen interest in all of the subjects, my favorite one has always been science. It has also been the field that I have been the strongest in. Something my 12th grade biology teacher said to me has always stood out to me. She told me "You have a future in science, and you need to strive for the top". Those words were written in my senior yearbook and I still go back and read them from time to time. I tied for the highest grade in my biology class my senior year. It was such an honor and my favorite high school accomplishment. I went off to college and studied exercise and sports science and had a concentration in basic sciences. My post-college graduation life did not exactly go as planned. I was hoping that I would be able to get a job in my field. However, jobs in the exercise science field are limited if you do not go to graduate school. I have worked as a freelance writer for over 15 years. I have also worked as a canvasser and warehouse worker. Additionally, I have recently obtained my life insurance license. My love for science never left. However, I did not think about going back to school until I separated for my son's dad. I was left thinking "What do I need to do to move forward with my life?" I felt that going back to school was my best option to give my son and I the best life possible. I am pursuing a master's degree in neuroscience. I want to work in the field of research. I hope to use my research to develop treatments that will improve brain health. My son is my primary motivation for going back to school. However, I hope that I can be a role model for all black women who want to make contributions in the STEM field.

Math has always been one of my strongest subjects in school. I love math because I can see its practical uses in everyday life. For example, I use math every day when I check my bank account to make sure that my finances in order. I also use math when I measure ingredients to cook my favorite meals. Additionally, I often participate in home improvement projects. I use math to determine the appropriate measurements for my home. The unique thing about math is that everyone uses it regularly. It doesn't matter whether you are an engineer, stay-at-home mom or a janitor. I look forward to earning my degree in neuroscience and expanding my knowledge about mathemathics. There are several ways that math is used in neuroscience. For example, math is used to construct and monitor brain functions. Data about the brain can also be analyzed using math. Furthermore, monitoring neural activity heavily relies on mathemathics. Math is a lot like life. Both life and math can be challenging at times. You may have to work at a problem several times before you can come to the right conclusion. However, if you keep working at a problem and seek assistance when needed, you can eventually come to the right solution.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the average age that someone is diagnosed with a mental health condition is 14.5. However, I can remember having feelings of severe depression and anxiety around the age of nine. I always felt lonely and out of place in the world. I didn't understand those feelings then, but I began to realize the seriousness of my conditions as I got older. Going through adolescence with two serious mental health conditions totally transformed how I saw the world. It had a negative impact on my relationships because I was lonely and isolated. I found it difficult to develop friendships with other people. I did extremely well in school, but I know I would have done better if I had the proper support for my mental health conditions. I finally started going to therapy in college, and it was a breath of fresh air. I had a better understanding of myself and the world around me. I was also able to relate to people better. I also attended therapy twice as an adult, and it further enriched my life. My mental health conditions are one of the reasons that I decided to pursue a career in neuroscience. I want to have a better understanding of the brain so that I can relate better to other people. Additionally, I want to be able to help people. My goal is to make some sort of contribution to the mental health field after I graduate. I want to work in the field of research so that I can help develop better, safer and more effective mental health treatments. If I can help just one person not experience what I went through, then I know that my education and training will be well worth it.

I earned my undergraduate degree in May 2010. It had been a long journey to get to that point. The countless hours of studying had finally paid off. Even though I was thrilled to finally have my degree, I had no intention of going back to school. When people would ask me if I was going back to school, I would always tell them no. After college, I entered the workforce full-time. I had a successful at-home business working as a freelance writer. I also worked temporary jobs as a canvasser and warehouse worker. Life had become routine and predictable. However, things started to fall apart after the birth of my son. I had always wanted to be a mom, but life after motherhood didn't go as planned. My relationship with my son's father, which was already fragile, completely feel apart after the birth of our son. He had been verbally and emotionally abusive throughout our entire relationship, but things got even worse after I had our son. The agreement that we had was for me to stay at home with our son after I gave birth. We had a roommate to help cover half of the bills. However, the roommate eventually became more trouble than he was worth, so my son's father told him to leave. He thought that I was going to change my mind about going back to work because we no longer had the roommate as a source of income. I refused to go back to work because I already had a lot on my plate. I was the primary caregiver of our son, and I also did a lot at home. There was no way that I was going to add a full-time job to my long list of duties. My son's dad became furious after I refused to go back to work. That was why he told me to leave with our then four month old. Even though this breakup was a traumatic experience in more ways than one, it was the catalyst that I needed to move forward with my life. I knew that I could not rely on my son's father, so something needed to change. This is what prompted me to go back to school. I knew that higher education would allow me to access better, higher-paying jobs. I know that I can no longer afford to set the bar low for myself. Education will allow me to have a better-quality of life for both my son and I. I know that you can't have any excuses when it comes to taking care of another human-being who is totally dependent on you. An education will make it easier to overcome life's challenges.

Faith is a five-letter word that has been the cornerstone of my life. I have overcome numerous challenges, and it is only my faith in God that has gotten me through. There have been times in my life when I felt like I was totally blind and God was my guide through the darkness. Faith has also been my life jacket when I felt like I was drowning at times. Even though faith has carried me through nearly four decades of living, there is one time in particular that stands out. I started a relationship my son's dad in March 2022. It was a tumultous relationship from the beginning that I never should have gotten into in the first place. However, my life was falling apart at the time, and he temporarily helped me get through a difficult situation. I got pregnant in June 2022. I was ecstatic because I always wanted to have a child. However, the relationship was so stressful that it made what was supposed to be a happy time incredibly difficult. In hindsight, I should have never let a man like that get me pregnant. 1.) We weren't legally married. 2.) He wasn't a good person. I gave birth to my son in February 2023. My original due date was March 2023. It was difficult to have my son come into the world 3.5 weeks early, but my faith carried me through that. He had to stay in the hospital for five days. The challenges did not stop when he came home from the hospital. I had to adjust to being a new mother, and I felt totally clueless. I was always wondering "Is there something that I am doing wrong?" I was also worried about hurting him since he was so small. On top of adjusting to being a new mother, I had to deal with an emotionally abusive man who did not seem to understand that I had just had a baby. The relationship lasted until the baby was four months old. My son's dad had told me that after the baby, I did not have to return to work. He knew that I wanted to be at home. However, he decided to change his mind when he kicked out our roommate who had been paying half the rent. When I told him that I would not be returning to work because I was the sole on taking care of the baby, he decided to tell me to leave. Kicking a woman out with a four month old is beyond heartless, but my faith carried me through that situation. I was already a shell of a woman due to dealing with verbal abuse for well over a year. However, this situation made me feel even worse about myself. There was no way I would have been able to get through an abusive relationship and being kicked out with a four month old without my faith. My faith has also given me the courage that I needed to move forward with my life. It was what prompted me to continue my education. I know that an education will allow me to give my son and I the life that we both deserve. I have the faith that I will be able to finish school and start a great and rewarding career. There will be numerous roadblocks along the way, but my faith will allow me to go around those.

I am 37 years old and a single mom to a little boy who is almost three. I enjoy writing, reading, researching, exercising, going out to eat and traveling. My little boy has totally changed my world for the better. He showed me that even though life does not always go as planned, something beautiful can still come out of a less than ideal situation. Because he has transformed my life, I want to ensure that I can give him the best-quality life possible. I know that I will be able to enrich both of our lives by continuing my education. Before I had my son, I had no intention on going back to school. I was content with my undergraduate degree and did not want to go back to the days of being in the books all day. My views on continuing my education changed after my son's father and I split up. Not only are we no longer together, but he has made it clear that he doesn't want to be a part of our son's life. I knew that since I couldn't depend on him, then I was going to have to forge my own path. I knew that the best way to be presented with better and more lucrative career opportunities would be to continue my education. I began taking online classes and earning certificates in August 2023. It dawned on me one day that instead of taking non-degree classes and just getting a certificate, I could work towards my Master's degree. I decided that I would pursue a Master's degree in October 2024. I look forward to continuing my education. I also look forward to the day that I graduate and open the doors to a new future. Additionally, I am anticipating the positive changes that I will see in my son and I's life due to my new career endeavors. There are several ways that I plan on helping people in my community. I know that it takes money to support most community projects. If I am making more money, then I will be able to donate more to the causes that I am most passionate about such as helping children and supporting the less fortunate. Furthermore, I will have more time to dedicate to my community after I am out of school. I plan to spend many evenings and weekends volunteering and helping as much as I can. I feel like when you are blessed, you are supposed to be a blessing to others. I plan to do just that.

The most challenging aspect of being a student and a single parent is the dealing with the lack of funds. As a single mother, I am solely responsible for making sure that my son has all of his needs taken care of. I have no help from the father. My son's father and I have not been together since our baby was four months old. Our child is almost three years old, and my son's father has not sent any financial support sense our son was a year old. I do have family support, but they are also limited as far as how much they can help me personally or financially. I am going to school because I know that an advanced degree will make my financial situation better by presenting me with more career opportunities. This in turn will allow me to provide a better life for both my son and I. This scholarship will help me in several ways. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on school. I am a studious person. When I am in school, it is my top priority. I don't mind spending the day in the library. Therefore, work will have to take a backseat while I pursue my education. If I receive this scholarship, then I will spend less time worrying about money and more time in the books. The more time that I spend in the books, the better my grades will be. This scholarship will also allow me to get through school without taking out any student loans. Student loans are a lifeline for many. However, it often means that people will graduate with a lot of debt. It is not ideal to come out of school thousands of dollars in debt. The debt will eventually have to be paid back with interest. Student loan debt can also make it harder to complete other goals such as traveling, buying a home, getting married or starting a family. I have accumulated debt from my undergraduate degree. My goal is to get through graduate school without having to take out any loans. Graduating without student loans will make things much better for my son and I. When I get in my new career and start making more money, I will be able to put that money towards making things better for my son and I. I can also put that money towards his college education or whatever he decides to do with his career. If I don't have student loan debt, then I will have one less thing to worry about in the future. Going to school will require me to go on a difficult path. However, if I am awarded this scholarship, then it will be a bridge to a great life. There is nothing in this life that comes without a lot of hard work and sacrifice. This scholarship will make it easier for me to put in the due diligence that is needed to obtain the lifestyle that both my son and I deserve.