The pandemic has encouraged me to make incredible life changes that has allowed me to be a happier individual overall. I made the important decision to switch colleges and create a fresh start after a rough year at school. This is how I have met some amazing people (at a safe distance apart) and gain a much better mindset than I once had. One of the biggest aspects of my life that had changed for the better is getting help with my mental health. I made the decision to get a therapist in a effort to become the best version of myself, during which my anxiety diagnosis was brought to my attention. After this diagnosis I have had the opportunity to learn how to help manage my anxiety problems, and become a more positive person. Since then, I have noticed that I have had a lot less anxiety attacks, have been able to try new things, and have become more independent. While the main focus for many have been on the negative impacts of the pandemic, it is nice to be able to place more focus on the positive.

I think everyone can agree that life was difficult once COVID hit. During this time, however, I had a different issue to overcome: my family. My grandfather became diagnosed with cancer, and I spent my time after being sent home from college to watch as I slowly lost the grandfather I knew and loved dearly. He became a sickly shell of the funny, determined man I had known my whole life. At the same time my parents were getting separated, and for the first time in my 20 years of life I had to live in a house without my father. After a very long separation process, they finally divorced a year later. This took a large toll on my schooling and my ability to thrive in the learning environment. My grades dropped, and I lost every inch of motivation I once had. Finally, I decided to make a change. I made the difficult decision to leave the college I had spent three years at in an effort to spark my urge for learning once more at a different university. Before, I was able to get away with making excuses and empty promises that my grades would improve without actually applying myself to fix my problems. Because of this, I felt that is was necessary to try something new and challenge myself to do better. Thankfully, I went through with it, even though it was incredibly difficult to say goodbye to everything I was comfortable with. At this current moment I still find myself dealing with difficulties on a daily basis, but have noticed a great improvement and my urge for learning has returned. I am now going to be graduating in 2023 to become an educator, and am incredibly happy with these life changes. I have been in therapy for the past year, which acted as my saving grace in getting through those family and school difficulties. I learned to cope with anxiety and work on my self-improvement. I refuse to give up, and I know that if my grandfather could see me now he would be proud of my accomplishments.