“I have nobody at home who helps me with my homework,” shares Sabrina Carpenter’s beloved character on Girl Meets World, Maya Hart. As an aspiring elementary school teacher, Sabrina’s portrayal of a young girl with a single, working mom shows the reality of students who do not have the privilege of an involved caregiver in their education. Besides her acting career, she wears another hat as an artist. Her songs, “emails i can’t send,” “Exhale,” and “In the Middle of Starting Over,” offer insight into being a trauma-informed and healing-centered educator. Some students go home to a broken household, as suggested in “emails i can’t send,” where it is suggested that the father is unfaithful. As an educator, I need to be aware of students’ trauma, and this is one example. I must be sensitive to triggers students may have, and family is a nuanced topic that requires careful consideration. When I ask students to complete a learner profile at the beginning of the year, I want to gain insight into their family contexts, including their primary language and who their primary caregiver is. They might feel uncomfortable discussing their family situations, especially if they are “unconventional.” Because of this reason, I will avoid assignments such as family trees and crafts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. If I do proceed with these assignments, I will offer alternatives where students can choose who they want to be part of their family. Students experience other stressors, as highlighted in “Exhale.” Growing up is a challenge for the youth. Many contend with toxic stress or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); consequently, they may misbehave. Behaviors communicate a message: When there is too much weight on their shoulders, they want to sit down, breathe, and exhale. They deserve to take a break or a mental health day. As an educator, I will acknowledge that my students face structural barriers, and school may perpetuate that cycle. I need to meet my students’ needs, and I aim to make Fridays relaxing with minimal work, where students can catch up on missing assignments or engage in self-care such as reading, journaling, and drawing. Moreover, I intend to take care of myself by seeking counseling and taking days off when necessary to support my students when I recover. Although part of being an educator is becoming a secure base for students, students are more than their trauma; as such, educators should promote healing in their space, and “In the Middle of Starting Over” is the perfect anthem for students to cultivate a growth mindset. My students have assets they can offer to the classroom because of their resiliency. I want to build their self-efficacy so that they do not waste their time mulling over their weaknesses when those are areas of improvement. I will provide opportunities for students to revise their assignments and assessments because it is okay to make mistakes, and they should feel safe to do so. It is easy to make assumptions about students and their families, but restorative educators recognize that they do not know the full story of their students’ circumstances. They are also cognizant of the triggers, stressors, and strengths of their students because they contribute to behaviors. Sabrina’s character, Maya Hart, and music enlighten aspiring educators like me by elevating the heavy issues students endure and bringing hope that they can start over in their education.

My teenage years encompassed posting pictures on Instagram and receiving validation about my beauty to bolster my confidence. Nevertheless, my self-esteem always plummeted shortly after seeing my peers’ posts, reminding me of this lyric from Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS” album: “When pretty isn’t pretty enough, what do you do?” Societal expectations peak in adolescence, when teenagers assume more responsibilities and prepare for the real world. Moreover, they experience physical and hormonal changes in their bodies while living in a digital age that influences beauty standards. “pretty isn’t pretty” encapsulates the habits teenagers maintain to feel beautiful but still perpetually face insecurity because of the media, self-reflections, and romantic interests. However, beauty is beyond external factors—it extends to building relationships with important people in your life and gaining experience by helping the community. Adolescence is a transitory period where teenagers feel the need to be increasingly mature like grown-ups. As they undergo a transformation—puberty—they are fixated on their bodies. Girls tend to gain weight since their bodies are getting ready for reproduction. In this stage, they perceive that their appearance matters in several contexts: at home, school, public settings, the Internet, and with family and friends. They are sensitive about how their bodies fit into clothes and are impressionable about how they should present themselves; many gravitate toward dieting, trendy apparel, and makeup to elevate their beauty, as Olivia suggests. Being called “pretty” was one of the best compliments someone could give me. I envied my high school peers for naturally being beautiful, lean, and fashionable. Most of all, I envied them for having significant others, while I felt crushed by my crushes for not suiting their tastes. Aside from desiring that word from social media, I yearned for it from my mom, who was the epitome of beauty. In her eyes, though, there was something I had to improve: my weight. I listened to her because I believed that about myself, too. Only one body type was the norm in television, movies, shows, magazines, posters, and stores. Like Olivia’s song, I skipped meals and stopped eating desserts. Despite restricting my diet, I still felt unsatisfied looking in the mirror. Looking in the mirror now as an adult, I concur with Olivia that chasing this ideal of “pretty” is futile because it is never-ending. No matter how many actions one implements into their routine, it will be difficult to be content because beauty can be enhanced by other actions. To answer Olivia’s question, when pretty isn’t pretty enough, you find avenues that bring joy and love. I feel the most beautiful when surrounded by people who care about me, and I can make them smile. Outside of my social circle, I aim to benefit the community with education, volunteering as a tutor, working with preschoolers to regulate their emotions, and studying to become a teacher. During the formative years of adolescence, teenagers are consumed with the dilemma of comparing themselves to others, especially in regard to their looks. Gradually, they will release that mindset and immerse themselves into serving the community to demonstrate their inner beauty.

I hold a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate, teaching elementary-school children during the school year in America and summers in Vietnam while publishing juvenile or young adult literature with Vietnamese-American protagonists.

During my freshman year of high school, I volunteered as a homework tutor for elementary school children at my local library. I remember one girl dearly, a first-grader named Lillian. Since she was in my care, I wanted to make the environment conducive to her learning. She was too short to reach the table, so I stacked two large books on the chair and carried her onto the books. To quench her thirst, I poured lemonade into a paper cup. After answering her questions and checking her responses, I watched her get picked up by her mother and grandmother. Because her guardians were also Vietnamese, I enjoyed communicating with them briefly about her progress in my non-dominant language. Tutoring Lillian became a fond memory for me, as it affirmed my love for children and school, which also aligned with my values of accomplishment and belonging. This experience reinforced how education was my calling because it intersected with my hobbies of reading books and writing stories. Hence, I want to attend college to become an elementary school teacher, investing in the education of my future students so that they become world leaders. I am pursuing my degree in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching because I have three objectives: motivating my students to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I will support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I yearn to show children to appreciate art because it is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I aim to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I will assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they are a first-generation college student. Educating children is my passion; it mirrors my values and hobbies. When I obtain my teaching credential, I will influence my students—future leaders—to enjoy learning for life, be prepared for higher education, and strive to reach their goals. Thank you for reading my submission.

During my freshman year of high school, I volunteered as a homework tutor for elementary school children at my local library. I remember one girl fondly, a first-grader named Lillian. Since she was in my care, I wanted to make the environment conducive to her learning. She was too short to reach the table, so I stacked two large books on the chair and carried her onto the books. To quench her thirst, I poured lemonade into a paper cup. After answering her questions and checking her responses, I watched her get picked up by her mother and grandmother. Because her guardians were also Vietnamese, I enjoyed communicating with them briefly about her progress in my non-dominant language. Tutoring Lillian became a core memory for me, as it affirmed my love for children and school, which also aligned with my values of accomplishment and belonging. This experience reinforced how education was my calling because it intersected with my hobbies of reading books and writing stories. Hence, I chose to major in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching. The greatest impact I can have as an aspiring elementary school teacher is through investing in the education of my future students so that they become world leaders. I plan to inspire the youth by motivating them to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I will support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I yearn to show children to appreciate art because it is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I aim to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I will assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they are a first-generation college student. Educating children is my passion; it mirrors my values and hobbies. When I obtain my teaching credential, I will influence my students—future leaders—to enjoy learning for life, be prepared for higher education, and strive to reach their goals. Thank you for reading my submission.

I stared at my laptop screen with tears streaming down my face. Math homework has always been my kryptonite, but online math homework was another level of frustration. I transferred to a university from a community college, and as a first-generation college student, I did not anticipate that an assignment would be enough to make me surrender. I reached out to my fourth-grade English Language Arts teacher, Mr. Huang, to explain how I solved the problem incorrectly. It turns out that I was on the right track, but I selected more responses than necessary. Hence, I did extra work. Mr. Huang said I was “too smart for the problem,” which reminded me that I am capable of becoming a teacher. I want to become a teacher because of my younger sister, my volunteering experience, and Mr. Huang, who still goes the extra mile to help me in college. The obstacles I have faced as a slow, bilingual learner have shaped me into a patient and resilient person. One reason that contributed to my choice of becoming an elementary school teacher is that I am an older sister. I have watched my younger sister grow up from a preschooler to a current high school junior, and she is my world! Through her schooling, I have had my fair share of teaching moments with her: I read her writing, taught her math, helped her develop science fair projects, and assisted her with science, algebra, and Spanish assignments. Thus, teaching is innate to me, and I wish to make it my career. Aside from helping my younger sister with her homework, I tutored children at my local library as a volunteer. It was then that I confirmed how I wanted my occupation to be based on the pediatric population. I loved helping them with their homework and interacting with them. The parents talked to me frequently about their child(ren)’s progress and success, and I gave them my input along with my advice. Although I was not assigned a child to tutor, one child always went to me with her homework, which made me elated. The central influence on picking my career is my fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Huang. I still keep in contact with him today. He fostered my passion for reading and writing, leading to my strengths in English and my love for school. Besides being a role model inside the classroom, Mr. Huang showed that he cared about his students outside of the classroom. He made a separate Facebook account so that his students could chat with him. Also, he was always available to assist me with assignments from middle school to college. Moreover, I was going to invite him to my high school graduation since he wanted to attend, but it was canceled due to the pandemic. Even after moving on to higher grade levels, we were his students for life. I appreciate how he still wants to be there for his former students. I view him as my mentor, and I will contact him throughout my educational and teaching journey to prepare for standardized tests and video assessments I have to complete in my credential program. In the same way, I want my students to feel free to ask me questions when they are no longer my students inside the classroom. They will be my students eternally. I will always be available to chat with them about their endeavors and attend their graduations. The sheer impact he had on me remains, and I hope to have the same impact on my future students. Students will have areas of weakness, and it is my job to scaffold them. I experienced several learning curves with math during elementary school, so I understand the difficulty of this subject and will spend more time on the material where my students need support. For example, I struggled immensely with subtraction and division. My father became easily frustrated with me whenever I requested his help with my homework, lowering my academic self-esteem and worsening my attitude toward math. To illustrate, I cried whenever I could not solve a math problem, which is a prime example of a fixed mindset. Lifelong learning relies on growth mindsets, even outside of school. My driving instructor yelled at me for failing my first attempt at the behind-the-wheel test, saying that I would never pass during my sophomore year of college. His negativity worried me because I need to drive to schools when I become a student teacher and teacher. I was close to being stuck in a fixed mindset; however, my mother reminded me that she also failed on her first try and that I have to keep trying whenever I experience challenges. Consequently, I passed on my second try. Additionally, I am aware of what it is like to live in a minority language household, specifically Vietnamese. Ergo, I was not raised in an English-literate environment and had low scores in reading comprehension. I will provide Rosetta Stones for dual language learners to make connections between their first language and English. I know that children learn within the zone of proximal development, so they will have content they can understand independently and with the help of a knowledgeable other (me!). As a future educator, I value patience–because I know how it feels to receive help from someone impatient–and outlooks focused on improvement–because that means more learning. Fortuitously, Mr. Huang went above and beyond for me during elementary and middle school and still helps me presently in college. I will follow in his footsteps and continue his legacy as the best elementary school teacher I can be with the help of my participation in tutoring my younger sister and school-aged children. Based on the setbacks I have encountered as a bilingual student that takes longer to learn certain academic and tactile skills, I will practice patience and nurture growth mindsets in my students so that they become competent, confident, and can cope with adversity.

I am potty trained. Really. So, how did I pee my pants as a sophomore in high school? Not to mention, in public? Well, it was about 3 pm on a sunny Sunday afternoon when my best friend Catherine and I were walking in the parking lot of Target. We usually make a trip to Target without any accidents, but on this fine day, she stumbled on a parking bumper and fell. I was not surprised by her action since she always falls at the most random time; she will even trip on air. That is just silly, clumsy Catherine for you. I laughed hysterically at her to the extent that urine streamed down my pants, drenching my underwear. In hindsight, I should not have consumed that cup of milk tea from Tapioca Express without visiting the toilet. Oh, how the tables have turned. I experienced instant karma. Maybe I am just as silly and clumsy as her. I never thought I would see the day when I piss my pants in broad daylight. I thought I left that bladder habit back at elementary school. My friend laughed at me in return as I panicked over my wet situation. We rushed to the restroom at Target so that I could attempt to dry the pee on my pants using the hand dryer. However, I looked more ridiculous and made a fool out of myself as my friend tried to stifle her chuckles. She then decided to be helpful and advised me to tie my jacket around my waist to cover the stain. I listened, and on my walk of shame back to her house, I realized that her neighborhood had a laundromat readily available for tenants to use. Before heading to the laundromat to dry my clothing, I rinsed my leggings and underwear with soap in her bathroom. On another walk of shame, wearing my friend’s shorts and new underwear while holding my pee-stained garments, I safely made it to the laundromat to use the dryer. That day, I lost a quarter and my dignity. Think twice about laughing at your friend during their embarrassing moment. If anything, it will only bite you back in the butt. Literally. All I wanted was to have some harmless fun, but at least now I have a funny story on hand to tell and a scholarship essay to submit. Thank you for reading my response.

During my freshman year of high school, I volunteered as a homework tutor for elementary school children at my local library. I remember one girl dearly, a first-grader named Lillian. Since she was in my care, I wanted to make the environment conducive to her learning. She was too short to reach the table, so I stacked two large books on the chair and carried her onto the books. To quench her thirst, I poured lemonade into a paper cup. After answering her questions and checking her responses, I watched her get picked up by her mother and grandmother. Because her guardians were also Vietnamese, I enjoyed communicating with them briefly about her progress in my non-dominant language. Tutoring Lillian became a fond memory for me, as it affirmed my love for children and school, which also aligned with my values of accomplishment and belonging. This experience reinforced how education was my calling because it intersected with my hobbies of reading books and writing stories. Hence, I chose to major in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching. The greatest impact I can have as an aspiring elementary school teacher is through investing in the education of my future students so that they become world leaders. I am pursuing my degree because I have three objectives: motivating my students to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I will support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I yearn to show children to appreciate art because it is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I aim to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I will assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they are a first-generation college student. Educating children is my passion; it mirrors my values and hobbies. When I obtain my teaching credential, I will influence my students—future leaders—to enjoy learning for life, be prepared for higher education, and strive to reach their goals. Thank you for reading my submission.

During my freshman year of high school, I volunteered as a homework tutor for elementary school children at my local library. I remember one girl dearly, a first-grader named Lillian. Since she was in my care, I wanted to make the environment conducive to her learning. She was too short to reach the table, so I stacked two large books on the chair and carried her onto the books. To quench her thirst, I poured lemonade into a paper cup. After answering her questions and checking her responses, I watched her get picked up by her mother and grandmother. Because her guardians were also Vietnamese, I enjoyed communicating with them briefly about her progress in my non-dominant language. Tutoring Lillian became a fond memory for me, as it affirmed my love for children and school, which also aligned with my values of accomplishment and belonging. This experience reinforced how education was my calling because it intersected with my hobbies of reading books and writing stories. Hence, I chose to major in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching. The greatest impact I can have as an aspiring elementary school teacher is through investing in the education of my future students so that they become world leaders. I plan to inspire the youth by motivating them to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I will support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I yearn to show children to appreciate art because it is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I aim to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I will assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they are a first-generation college student. Educating children is my passion; it mirrors my values and hobbies. When I obtain my teaching credential, I will influence my students—future leaders—to enjoy learning for life, be prepared for higher education, and strive to reach their goals. Thank you for reading my submission.

The greatest gift I can give as an aspiring elementary school teacher is investing in the education of my future students. I plan to inspire the youth by motivating them to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I will support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I yearn to show children to appreciate art because it is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I aim to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I will assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they are a first-generation college student. When I obtain my teaching credential, I will make my students enjoy learning for life, be prepared for higher education, and strive to reach their goals. Thank you for reading my submission.

“Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me?” sings Fa Mulan. She is my favorite Disney character because she is a reflection of myself: She looks like me, acts like me, and has the same relations as me. She is the first Disney princess to resemble me with Chinese ancestry. Although I am only a quarter Chinese, I feel that she represents me phenotypically. Starting from the top of her head, we have the same hair type: straight, black hair. Speaking of hair, we also have thick eyebrows. Our skin is pale, and our cheeks are tinted with pink. We have the same personality and routine. We are clumsy, stubborn, and outspoken. Because of these traits, we are seen as unladylike. Additionally, we pray to our ancestors when we need their support. Aside from personality, our family dynamics are identical. Mulan is close with her father, as am I. We care deeply about our fathers and would go to war for them. Moreover, we share the same thoughts of disappointing our families. I resonate with the lyrics, “Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family's heart.” We have the same goals as well: to meet their expectations and make them proud. We would never want to bring dishonor to our family by being a terrible marriage prospect. Mulan’s closest companions are Mushu and her horse. Mushu is a dragon, which is the year my father was born. Meanwhile, I was born in the year of the horse. Although her dog is not part of her journey, I want to highlight how my younger sister was born in the year of the dog. I see myself in Fa Mulan, so she is an extension of me. She is my favorite Disney character because she makes me love myself. Our attributes may be considered negative based on cultural and social standards; however, they are what make us humane, loyal, and determined. Most of all, our parents would appreciate us as their daughters.

My dream is to invest in the education of my future elementary school students, so I want to motivate them to become lifelong learners, show them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encourage them to reach their goals.

In my peripheral vision, I notice smoke coming from the home across from me. Thinking nothing of it, I continue watching my show. My mother frantically approaches me to call 911. I look at the house again. Behind the black smoke is a raging fire. With the adrenaline coursing through my body, I dial 911 as I make contact with the glowing and growing flames. One change that would make education better for future generations is learning about fire safety because fires are common, preventable, and unexpected. Many fires have broken out in local places. Surrounding chain stores, supermarkets, and churches are neighborhoods and schools. Fires do not only affect the building itself, but also the areas nearby since they can spread rapidly. On the bright side, there are of plenty preventative measures when it comes to fires. According to Tufts University, candles should be monitored, and smoking indoors is not advised. In addition, cooking should never be left unattended, as it is the leading cause of residential stovetop fires. To put out a flash fire, cover the pan with the lid instead of spraying water. Also, the barbecue grill should be kept 10 feet away from the house, never to be stored with a propane tank inside the house because the propane vapors can cause an explosion. As claimed by Doom and Bloom (™), be vigilant of electrical fires by checking for frayed wiring. Because fires are unexpected, it is best to prepare for fire evacuations. With climate change, more fires, especially wildfires, have emerged. However, they are hard to predict. In fire-prone states, such as California, it is imperative that families create an escape plan. Regardless, it should be implemented in all families, as apartments and mobile homes catch on fire easily. Doom and Bloom (™) reveals that two methods of fast exits must be established already. Furthermore, learn how to open windows and situate a ladder. Second, smoke alarms need to be installed in every room and the kitchen. See if your local Red Cross will provide them for free (mine were). Fires frequently occur at night, and smoke alarms can give early warnings. Third, have fire extinguishers ready in various locations, especially ones that have flammable items. In school, we practice lockdown and earthquake drills. I know that I need to build a barricade in the presence of an intruder; when an earthquake hits, I should get under a table. As for fires, all I am aware of is how I need to vacate the premises quickly and stay outdoors. I want to learn what I should pack before I need to evacuate from a fire, how I should protect myself from inhaling smoke, and where to seek help. Moreover, I want to learn how to use a fire extinguisher. With how prevalent fires are, students should have access to fire safety education. They must know how to prevent them and how to be equipped during such emergencies.

Is housing a human right? Per Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, humans need shelter. The biggest problem facing the world right now is homelessness, and one way we can work on this opportunity for positive change is by increasing housing. Homelessness is more than a housing problem. For some, it leads to a lack of food, water, and sleep. Aside from physiological needs, many suffer from job and health insecurity. Moving on to psychological needs, the unhoused population may face low senses of love, belonging, and esteem. They lose contact with family and friends; their self-esteem plummets because people do not respect them, deflating their confidence. There are underlying concerns when psychological needs are unmet. Besides self-esteem issues, homeless people may develop depression. Another mental illness is addiction. According to a study conducted by The Open Health Services and Policy Journal, more than one-third of the homeless community deals with substance abuse. The National Library of Medicine’s study adds that two-thirds of unhoused people experience alcoholism and drug abuse for a lifetime. To survive, they may become more vicious; this aggression can result in physical assaults and murder. In New York, a homeless man by the name of Martial Simon shoved Michelle Alyssa Go to her death in front of a subway train. Moreover, not all homeless people live on the streets. Numerous college students are unhoused because they cannot afford to live in dorms, so they live in their cars or friends’ apartments. With the rising rent costs, lots of adults sleep in their cars. A solution to homelessness is rapid re-housing. The National Alliance to End Homelessness shares that rapid re-housing connects homeless people with a home without preconditions, which is effective and cheaper at keeping them in permanent housing compared to shelters.

“You will never pass!” my driving instructor proclaimed in Vietnamese after I failed my first behind-the-wheel test. I got my permit in 2019, but it expired during the pandemic. When I got my permit renewed, I was still struggling with driving anxiety. I believed his statement was true and that I cannot drive myself to work as an aspiring elementary school teacher. Nevertheless, I pushed myself to conquer my fear. After I failed my driving test on the first attempt, I learned that persistence is necessary to accomplish a goal—personal, academic, or occupational—so I will never give up on my dreams and always push myself to my limits. After hearing the driving examiner’s feedback, my task was to improve my areas of weakness so that I could pass my next driving test. My driving instructor scheduled more lessons, and I continued with a growth mindset. I was always stuck in the tyranny of now, so I rewired my brain to focus on the power of not yet: “I have not passed my driving test YET.” Strength comes from within the mind first; my body will follow suit. My instructor went over my errors on the test, and we rectified those areas. Every time I made a mistake, I redid the motion to build my muscle memory. The actions I took were practicing sharp right turns and decreasing my speed in parking lots. I also worked on parking since that required steering the wheel rapidly numerous times. I enjoyed the challenge, seeing as how I learned from my mistakes and was more prepared for my second behind-the-wheel test. With my newfound dexterity, I became confident in my skills and was steadily overcoming my driving anxiety. As a result, I passed my driving test on September 7, 2021. Despite my instructor’s harsh words, I was able to rise above them. In fact, it drove me to persist in driving and pass my driving test. My persistence then led me to earn my driver’s license, which is the tangible manifestation of my attitude towards my goals. I will use this lesson to help me move forward by accepting criticism and seeking solutions. I know that if I create an action plan to ameliorate my weaknesses, I will reach my goal. The lesson made me stronger as a person because it bolstered my mind framework to tackle challenges; the lesson also prepared me for life since I know I can handle whatever comes my way with my work ethic. As I continue my education in Child and Adolescent Development as a first-generation college student, I know that life will get in the way of my dreams. I may have difficult classes with tough exams. My supervisor may not see my potential when observing me as a student teacher and try to knock me down with negativity. I may run into trouble with standardized state assessments to become licensed as an elementary school teacher. However, these are merely hurdles I will jump over. There is no such thing as overnight success. Everything worth attaining requires trying over and over again. I will encounter failure countless times in life, but I will always have another chance. It does not matter how long it takes me to fulfill a goal because the outcome matters more. I am going at my own pace, and my journey is my journey alone. Thanks to my failed driving test, I realized how persistence is the only attribute needed to triumph over trials, which will help me move on from my mistakes and cultivate strength internally and externally.

“You can do anything! Just remember to make good choices and try your best,” and, “You are an inspiration!” are the messages I read in my yearbook frequently from my third-grade and sixth-grade teacher. As a first-generation college student, I aspire to earn my bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to become an elementary school teacher. I chose this major so that I can meet the needs of children and be with them at the start of their educational journey. I plan to make my mark in the world by motivating my future students to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals because I want to be remembered for being their biggest supporter. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I will make my mark in the world is by molding my students into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I will make my mark in the world is by preparing my students for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. As a result, they can serve others with their education. The third way I will make my mark in the world is by instilling goal-setting into my students' minds with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. My biggest wish is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student. If I can do it, so can they. Since I can do anything as long as I make good choices and try my best, I want to attain my educational goals of being the first in my family to graduate from a university with my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. As an inspiration, I will become an elementary school teacher and make my mark by spreading my knowledge to my students. I will always will root for them when they do not believe in themselves so that they remember me as their biggest supporter. Additionally, I will write uplifting messages in their yearbooks. Ergo, they can benefit the world with their passion for learning, retention strategies, and ambition to achieve goals because they are the future!

My biggest pet peeve is when people do not listen to me. After all, it is a forgotten communication skill. They may hear my voice, but it goes in one ear and out the other. Hearing and listening are not synonymous, for hearing does not require your undivided attention. I actively listen to those around me by considering my body language and tone because listening means showing concern. Bruce J. Colbert claims that body language makes up 55% of communication. As an active listener, I face the individual and look them in the eyes. Consequently, my feet are pointed forward, and I lean toward them. I maintain an open posture by not crossing my arms. I want the speaker to know that my eyes and ears are on them. Moreover, I want to demonstrate that I am interested in the conversation. Colbert adds that tone makes up 38%. After listening, my tone is relaxed and confident. I do not want the speaker to assume that I am indifferent and unsure. Additionally, I ensure that I do not interrupt, as that will result in a selfish tone. Most of all, I ask clarification questions to indicate that I am curious. I will even restate my interpretation to prevent confusion. By presenting concern, the speaker will feel comfortable continuing the discussion and will confide in you in the future. More benefits entail a better exchange of messages, where misunderstandings are less likely to occur. Another benefit is cultivating a close bond, which improves the relationship. Of utmost importance, active listening provides emotional comfort because you will be able to calm the person down. I monitor my body language and tone to illustrate that I care as an active listener. Active listening is a sign of respect and should not be neglected!

“None of you are ready for college,” my IB English HL teacher told the class. I heaved a sigh; as the first in my family who will attend a university, I believed that statement. Thankfully, my family has always been there for me every step of the way during my path to college. Their sacrifices as minority immigrants inspire me to achieve my educational goals of becoming an elementary school teacher after acquiring my bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development along with my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I was able to overcome the challenges of applying to college and financing my education, and I plan on using my education to give back to others who are underserved by investing in the education of my future students in the same boat. When my senior year of high school rolled around, I contacted my cousin to guide me through college applications. He handed me his SAT and ACT books so that I could practice for the tests. After the exams, he sat by my side to watch me fill out the FAFSA application, clarifying tax questions. Finally, he reviewed my college applications before I submitted them. The entire college application process was foreign to me and my father, but with my cousin’s assistance, I applied to colleges on time. Even though I decided on attending a community college instead, I was able to apply to my top university as a transfer student, and I got accepted! Another hurdle is the financial barrier when I attend a university. My father is the breadwinner in our family. To overcome this setback, I applied for a plethora of scholarships. My parents encourage me to apply, even if I do not win. After hundreds of scholarship applications, I won two from my community college. I will persist in applying so that I can graduate from a university debt-free as I embark on the journey of becoming an elementary school teacher with my degree and credential. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, I can support the education of my students by molding them into lifelong learners. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Aside from engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Most importantly, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. Also, I can promote the education of my students by instilling goal-setting into their minds with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest wish is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student. The challenges I have faced, as a first-generation college student with minority immigrant parents and only one of them being employed, entail struggling with college applications and expenses. I will rise above hindrances to attain my educational goals of receiving my Child and Adolescent Development degree and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential as an aspiring elementary school teacher. Then, I can serve my disadvantaged elementary school students by meeting their needs at the start of their educational journey, where I will motivate them to become lifelong learners and reach their goals.

“None of you are ready for college,” my IB English HL teacher told the class. I heaved a sigh; as the first in my family who will attend a university, I believed that statement. Thankfully, my family has always been there for me every step of the way during my path to college. Their sacrifices inspire me to achieve my educational goals of becoming an elementary school teacher after acquiring my bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development along with my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I was able to overcome adversity by reaching out to my support system for help, and I plan on giving back to my community in the future by investing in the education of my future students. As a first-generation college student, I made sure to challenge myself by taking rigorous courses in high school. One vivid memory was when I failed my blood pressure practical test in my physiology class. Although I passed the written exam, I took my teacher’s blood pressure incorrectly, resulting in a failure. When I went home, I told my mother, and she assured me that it is okay to fail because I am still learning. I practiced some more, and on my second attempt, I passed the practical test and gained my certification card through perseverance. Another hurdle is the financial barrier when I attend a university. To overcome this setback, I applied for a plethora of scholarships. My parents encourage me to apply, even if I do not win. After hundreds of scholarship applications, I won two from my community college. I will persist in applying so that I can graduate from a university debt-free as I embark on the journey of becoming an elementary school teacher with my degree and credential. Then, I can support the education of my students by molding them into lifelong learners. My volunteering experience involved assisting children with homework at the library. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Aside from engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. At the library, I volunteered to prepare art materials for Friday Fun, an event for arts and crafts. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Most importantly, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. Another way I can promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting into their minds with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest wish is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student. If I can do it, so can they. Adversity made me more resilient with the help of my family. I will rise above hindrances to attain my educational goals of receiving my Child and Adolescent Development degree and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Volunteering with children resulted in me aspiring to become an elementary school teacher. I will make an impact on my future students by meeting their needs at the start of their educational journey, where I will motivate them to become lifelong learners and reach their goals.

“Good morning, Ms. Truong!” my elementary school students chirp as they enter the classroom. My goals for the future comprise investing in the education of my future elementary school students, so I will motivate them to become lifelong learners, show them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encourage them to reach their goals. The first way I can support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I can assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest wish is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student and/or are a minority. I cannot wait to obtain my bachelor’s degree and get licensed as an elementary school teacher!

$1,000 is a huge deposit for my dreams. With $1,000, I would invest it in my education. Then, I will be able to invest in the education of my future elementary school students. The Youssef University’s College Life Scholarship will significantly impact my future. The award will partly subsidize my undergraduate tuition for my bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development. Another portion will go to textbooks. The majority will pay for my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program. It will cover the application fee, admission exam, student teaching tuition, program textbooks, state assessments, and study materials. I will mold my students into lifelong learners. By understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects, I can guide students patiently. Additionally, I will show them how to be prepared for higher grade levels. Learning depends on their learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I can stimulate their senses (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic) and various parts of their brain (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal). Last but not least, I will encourage them to reach their goals. They need to make them specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest wish is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student. When an individual invests in the stock market, their money will grow. Similarly, when a donor invests in an aspiring elementary school teacher’s education, their students’ passion for learning will grow. As a result, more of the youth will pursue higher education.

According to Richard St. John, there are eight secrets to success. My goals for the future entail acquiring my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential, and I plan to achieve success through passion, work, focus, pushing, ideas, improvement, serving, and persistence. I am studying Child and Adolescent Development to pursue elementary education, which is something I am passionate about. Passion will motivate me to get my degree and earn my teaching credential. I am working hard to pass my courses, graduate with my associate degree, and transfer to a four-year institution. I will have enough units to transfer with all requirements fulfilled, I have filed my graduation petition with a counselor, and I submitted my transfer applications. Instead of worrying over many things, I need to focus on one thing: graduating from a university. I can move on to the next goal when I am done. I have to keep pushing myself. Juggling between a part-time job and being a full-time student will be challenging, but I have my mother to push me. As for scholarships, deadlines and competition drive me. When it comes to ideas, I have to tap into my creative side. Aside from teaching in America, I want to teach English to children in Vietnam. I can improve my studying routine by changing what does not work for me. I can cater to my learning styles, including using flashcards and concept maps. Also, I can practice teaching my friends, which will be practice for when I teach children. I can serve others something of value through elementary education. I can teach my students the skills and knowledge they need beyond elementary school. Finally, I will persist through adversity. All successful people fail. I will not give up on graduating from a university and obtaining my teaching credential.

“The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching our goals. The tragedy of life is not having goals to reach for,” propounds Benjamin Mays. People only live one life. Therefore, they need to make the most of it and live without regrets. The meaning of life is to strive to accomplish goals—big or small—and I try to achieve mine by setting SMART goals. As Mays contends, one does not need to attain their goals; one should have them in place and want to fulfill them. These goals need to make us happy, for we determine our own perception of glory. Ergo, do not let society control your aspirations. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. My personal goal is to publish a book—children’s or Young Adult—with a female Vietnamese-American protagonist before I am forty. My educational goal is to be the first in my family to graduate from a university with my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential within two to four years. My career goal is to become an elementary school teacher once I obtain my teaching credential. Eventually, I would like to teach English as a foreign language to children in Vietnam when I acquire my TEFL certificate after a decade or two. It would be a tragedy to live a life without a purpose. Everyone has a unique set of talents, skills, and abilities. So, live your best life with goals and surprise yourself with your brilliance. You only live once (YOLO)!

“I like the picture you drew, Kayla!” my fifth-grade teacher told me when I handed my yearbook cover submission. I drew a female teacher holding a ruler against the chalkboard and an assignment with an A in a red circle. The chalkboard has the ABCs and a few math facts. She is standing to the right of her desk. The desk has an apple, chair, and printer. At the top, I wrote my elementary school’s core principles: citizenship, responsibility, and respect. The background comprises descending diagonal lines, alternating between blue and green. Although my drawing did not make it to the cover, it was featured on the fifth-grade page. I did not peg myself as a creative person, but this moment redefined the quality for me. Creativity is not synonymous with artistic; creativity is generating a new idea or product through many means: art, music, videos, writing, and more. Hence, I value the characteristic of creativity most in myself as someone who likes to create and wants to encourage my future elementary school students to create because creativity will help me alleviate stress, study better, and uniquely spread information in my life journey. Creativity helps me relieve stress. In elementary school, I followed YouTube tutorials on how to draw cute animals and objects, which made me smile because I enjoy doodling and coloring. Additionally, I have been writing Korean pop fanfiction on Wattpad since middle school. The platform allows me to draft stories, describe plots, create book covers, join fandoms, and engage with my readers. I can use my imagination and write whatever I think and feel, be it inspired by what I consume in the media or based on my experiences. In high school, I took a digital photography class. Besides capturing images, I drew a Zentangle with various patterns. Coming up with new ideas or products makes me satisfied. Creativity bolsters retention of the material I am learning. My study methods consist of the interference theory and mnemonics. Instead of cramming information into two-hour chunks, I can study for 15 to 20 minutes, take a break by switching to another task or by brisk walking, return to studying, and repeat. Common mnemonics include chunking (grouping the information), acronyms (abbreviations), acrostics (turning acronyms into sentences), memory palace (associating items to objects in rooms), rhyming (making words sound similar), and music (creating songs or rewording lyrics). More memory tricks involve the serial position effect (sorting key parts at the beginning and end), learning opposite things (recalling antonyms in pairs), finding nail words (connecting similar words), making up stories (creating plots), forming analogies (comparisons), and using a tape recorder (listening to audios). Creativity allows me to reach a wide audience and teach them. When teaching elementary school students, I need to be creative. I also plan on teaching elementary school students English in Vietnam once I obtain my Teaching as a Foreign Language certificate. When I start my YouTube channel, I intend on filming videos of me reading children’s stories so children can be read to. Aside from reaching elementary school students, I want to reach middle school, high school, and college students by filming videos and developing blog posts on school advice, study tips, and scholarship insight. I can also reach aspiring teachers through YouTube videos and blog posts. I wish to write books for students and student teachers, too. In addition, I want to reach the Vietnamese-American community through a published book, be it a children’s book or a Young Adult novel. The possibilities are endless with fostering creativity.

“Kayla, you have to work hard and finish your education. Your father and I were not able to go to a university, so you need to be the first in our family to graduate,” my mother reminds me in Vietnamese. After working hard for two years at a community college, I am set to transfer to a four-year institution and acquire my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development. I chose this major so that I can support the needs of children and be with them at the start of their educational journey. The next step in becoming an elementary school teacher is earning a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. As a first-generation minority college student, I am passionate about receiving my education because then I can invest in the education of my future elementary school students, motivating them to become lifelong learners, showing them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encouraging them to reach their goals regardless of their status. Once I obtain my bachelor’s degree and get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way I can support the education of my students is by molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way I can assist the education of my students is by preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way I will promote the education of my students is by instilling goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student and/or are a minority. If I can do it, so can they. Per my mother’s wish, I am dedicated to pursuing my education as a Vietnamese-American first-generation college student. I am aiming for a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I hope to set an example for children who will be the first in their families to graduate from a university and/or are a minority. Ergo, I want to become an elementary school teacher and spread my knowledge to my students. As a result, they can benefit the world with their passion for learning, retention strategies, and ambition to achieve goals because they are the future!

“You can do anything! Just remember to make good choices and try your best,” and, “You are an inspiration!” are the messages I read in my yearbook frequently from my third-grade and sixth-grade teacher. As a first-generation college student, I aspire to earn my bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development and my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to become an elementary school teacher; I want to motivate my future students to become lifelong learners and to reach their goals. My goal in education is to graduate from a university with my Child and Adolescent Development degree and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. To receive my teaching credential, I need to apply for the program through a state admission exam. Additionally, I must complete student teaching and pass state assessments. My life goals entail teaching English as a foreign language to children in Vietnam after I obtain my TEFL certificate. Another life goal of mine is publishing a book—children’s or Young Adult—surrounding the Vietnamese-American identity. What drives me to pursue my educational goal is my family and my career purpose. My mother reminds me in Vietnamese, “Kayla, you have to work hard and finish your education. Your father and I were not able to go to a university, so you need to be the first in our family to graduate and help your younger sister with college.” I aim to carry out my mother’s wish, but, more importantly, I want to set an example for my younger sister. Of utmost importance, I want to be a role model for my students. By investing in my education, I can invest in their education. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, I see my education impacting the world positively in the future by molding my students into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Aside from engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Best of all, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. Another positive impact I see from my vision is instilling goal-setting into my students’ minds with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student. If I can do it, so can they. Since I can do anything as long as I make good choices and try my best, I want to attain my educational goals of being the first in my family to graduate from a university with my Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. I also want to teach English in Vietnam and write a book based on the Vietnamese-American identity. My why for my educational goal is my family and career meaning. As an inspiration, I want to become an elementary school teacher and spread my knowledge to my students. Thus, they can benefit the world with their passion for learning and ambition to achieve goals because they are the future!

“You are a Scholarship Winner!” the subject line of the email reads. I immediately share the news with my mother who was not able to finish elementary school in Vietnam. Then, I tell my father who was not able to attend a university in America and works overtime to help pay for my education. I want the Tyde Memorial Scholarship because it will invest in my education as well as the education of my future elementary school students, so I will be able to motivate them to become lifelong learners, show them how to be prepared for higher grade levels (and ultimately college), and encourage them to reach their goals. The Tyde Memorial Scholarship will significantly impact my education. I will allocate the $1000 to several categories. Aside from receiving financial aid, the scholarship will partly subsidize my undergraduate degree tuition for Child and Adolescent Development. Another portion of it will go to renting required textbooks. The majority of the cash will pay for my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program. It will cover the program application fee, admission exam, student teaching tuition, program textbooks, state assessments, and study materials. Once I get licensed as an elementary school teacher, the first way the scholarship will support the education of my students is through me molding them into lifelong learners. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To have an affinity for learning, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Moreover, by understanding the difficulty of challenging subjects—such as math and science—I can guide students patiently. Of utmost importance, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. The second way the scholarship will assist the education of my students is by me preparing them for middle school, high school, and college success. At its core, learning how to learn depends on my students’ learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. I will cater to their learning style(s) while combining their senses for optimal learning (auditory, visual, and kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, I can integrate their multiple intelligences (linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal) so that they can better understand the material. Regardless, the best way to learn is by them incorporating various senses and intelligences—teaching. My students can teach their classmates, friends, or family members to reinforce the information. The third way the scholarship will promote the education of my students is how I will instill goal-setting with the SMART approach. For personal, educational, and career goals, they need to make their aspirations specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. My biggest hope is that they will pursue higher education, even if they will be a first-generation college student. The Tyde Memorial Scholarship will help me further my education and spread my knowledge to my future elementary school students. $1,000 will alleviate the financial barriers of becoming an elementary school teacher. When I obtain my teaching credential, I will make my students enjoy learning for life, be prepared for higher education, and strive to reach their goals. Thank you for aiding first-generation college students with this award and making their dreams come true. Consequently, it will make our parents’ wishes come true. Most importantly, thank you for reading my essay submission.

While studying may seem boring, there are ways of studying that are fun. The best study strategies get multiple parts of your brain working and are creative. At its core, learning how to learn depends on the student’s learning style(s) and multiple intelligences. It is helpful to know your learning modality: auditory, visual, or kinesthetic. Nevertheless, the best way to learn is by incorporating various senses—teaching. Teaching requires verbal instruction (auditory), written instruction (visual), and hands-on practice plus group work (kinesthetic). Aside from learning modalities, you can integrate your multiple intelligences so that you can better understand the material. The eight multiple intelligences consist of linguistic, logical, musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. You can read out loud (linguistic), demonstrate a mathematical problem (logical), play a song (musical), complete a tactile activity (kinesthetic), draw graphs (spatial), study outside (naturalist), provide examples on how the concept may relate to you (intrapersonal), and participate in group discussions (interpersonal). Creative methods of studying consist of the interference theory and mnemonics. Instead of cramming information into two-hour chunks, study for 15 to 20 minutes, take a break by switching to another task or by brisk walking, return to studying, and repeat the process. Common mnemonics include chunking (grouping the information), acronyms (abbreviations), acrostics (turning acronyms into sentences), memory palace (associating items to objects in rooms), rhyming (making words sound similar), and music (creating songs or rewording lyrics). More memory tricks involve the serial position effect (sorting key parts at the beginning and end), learning opposite things (recalling antonyms in pairs), finding nail words (connecting similar words), making up stories (creating plots), forming analogies (comparisons), and using a tape recorder (listening to audios).

“Go hold her hand, Kayla,” my third-grade teacher requested. I looked at the girl next to me who was crying her eyes out. Eight-year-old me thought she was a crybaby for crying at this age. However, she told me the reason, and it changed my perspective on judging people at first glance. She got scared after her mother dropped her off. I understood her fear. Being alone is one of the scariest things in this world, but she was not alone; she had me. I held her hand tightly, and her tears disappeared like magic. From then on, I make sure to treat others with empathy by hearing them out and putting myself in their shoes, and I will especially treat my future elementary school students with empathy. “Thank you for holding my hand,” she told me. A simple gesture was effective at making her feel better after being distraught by her mother’s departure. When I get to teach in my own classroom, I will keep in mind how children have emotions they cannot handle. I have to understand what they might be experiencing and help them regulate their feelings. You never know what someone is going through. Listen to what they have to say first. Be there when they need you. Most importantly, hold their hand.

“Congratulations! You just published [insert chapter name]!” I apply creativity in my life by writing stories on Wattpad because I feel like a published author. The platform allows me to draft stories, describe plots, create book covers, join fandoms, and engage with my readers. I have been writing on Wattpad since middle school, so I can see the progression of my writing. I am glad that the Korean pop fanfiction community welcomed me with open arms. The readership on Wattpad is unparalleled. I love checking my notifications to see if someone voted on a chapter, left a comment, or added the story to their reading list. Sometimes, I receive messages in my inbox or conversation wall about how much they love my writing and need more updates, which warms my heart. Out of the millions of stories published on Wattpad that are written by talented people, they chose to give my stories a chance and compliment me. What I love most about Wattpad is that it is my creative outlet. I can use my imagination and write whatever I think and feel, be it inspired by what I consume in the media or based on my experiences. Not only do I get to write, but I get to also edit my book covers if someone else does not make them for me. I used to edit photos heavily during middle school, so I can brush up on my skills. Plus, book covers add to the published author feeling. One day, I want to be a real published author. My books—children’s or young adult—will be centered on Vietnamese-American characters because I hope to see more Vietnamese representation if I do get to publish a book. Until then, I will keep writing on Wattpad.

“WellsFargo Alerts: Due to recent transactions we have limited your online features; visit [insert scam link] to complete verification and regain full access,” the notification of the text message on my phone reads. Many people are driven by fear and click the link, not knowing that their private information can get stolen. In this digital era, my best skill is critical thinking, and I am improving it through attending college and questioning everything—from politicians to celebrities. From a TED Talk video in my College Success class, I internalized the critical thinking process. I am constantly asking questions and gathering information. Once I gather information, I try to apply it by asking critical questions to check whether my interpretation is logical. Also, I fact-check using Snopes.com. With false news being rampant on social media, it is crucial to look up the truth behind the statements. Another step I have been attempting to implement is considering the implications, as there may be unintended consequences. In my English Composition/Critical Thinking course, I learned the foundation of critical thinking. First, I learned how to evaluate arguments using four tests, looking for truthfulness, logical strength, relevance, and non-circularity. I was taught many fallacies, including ad hominem attacks, straw man fallacy, and slippery slope. I use verbal reasoning to detect persuasive or manipulative language, and I am skeptical of items that are not backed up by research. In the digital age, I assess the information provided by the source. I am rational, as I choose to be informed by evidence. I am inquisitive and metacognitive. I can analyze, apply, and conceptualize, and it is a skill I am developing every day through college and suspicion. Ultimately, I make more informed decisions so that I do not fall for traps.

“You will never pass!” my driving instructor proclaimed in Vietnamese after I failed my first behind-the-wheel test. To say that his impatience discouraged me is an understatement—it shattered me. I got my permit in 2019, but it expired during the pandemic. When I got my permit renewed, I was still struggling with driving anxiety, but I pushed myself to conquer my fear. I believed his statement was true and that I would not be able to drive myself to work as an aspiring elementary school teacher. Fortunately, my mother encouraged me by telling me that it does not matter how many attempts it takes for me to pass as long as I earn my driver’s license eventually. Being patient is important to me because it motivates me to practice learning the skill and to learn from my mistakes, which I can then instill into my students’ minds in the future. I continued my driving lessons, and before I left, my mother always reminded me to try my best. My driving instructor went over my errors on the test, and we rectified those areas. On September 7, 2021, I passed my driving test after ten grueling minutes. Despite my instructor’s harsh words, I was able to rise above his negativity with the help of my mother’s advice. Her patience drove me to persist in driving and reach my goal of passing my driving test. As I continue my studies that will lead up to student teaching and ultimately teaching by myself, I will keep in mind how patience determines the learning outcomes for students. I will always cheer my students on regardless of their failures; I will support their educational needs. Of utmost importance, I will root for them when they do not believe in themselves.

“You will never pass!” my driving instructor proclaimed in Vietnamese after I failed my first behind-the-wheel test. I felt my heart sink. I got my permit in 2019, but it expired during the pandemic. When I got my permit renewed, I was still struggling with driving anxiety, but I pushed myself to conquer my fear. I thought his statement was true and that I cannot drive myself to work as an aspiring elementary school teacher. However, I used persistence to accomplish my goal—the only skill I need to overcome an obstacle—and I will make sure to spread that message to my future students. I continued my driving lessons with a growth mindset. My driving instructor went over my errors on the test, and we rectified those areas. Every time I made a mistake, I redid the action to build my muscle memory. I enjoyed the challenge, and I learned from my mistakes. I was always stuck in the tyranny of now, so I rewired my brain to focus on the power of not yet: “I have not passed my driving test YET.” Finally, on September 7, 2021, I passed my driving test after ten grueling minutes. Despite my instructor’s harsh words, I was able to rise above his negativity. My persistence led me to earn my driver’s license; my license is the tangible manifestation of my attitude towards my goals. As I continue my studies that will lead up to student teaching and ultimately teaching by myself, I will encourage my students to push themselves to their limits. I will always cheer my students on regardless of their failures; I will reward their time and effort. There is no such thing as overnight success. Everything that is worth achieving requires trying over and over again.

“Go hold her hand, Kayla,” my third-grade teacher requested. I looked at the girl next to me who was crying her eyes out. Eight-year-old me thought she was a crybaby for crying at this age. However, she told me the reason, and it changed my perspective on judging people at first glance. She got scared after her mother dropped her off. I understood her fear. Being alone is one of the scariest things in this world, but she was not alone; she had me. I held her hand tightly, and her tears disappeared like magic. From then on, I make sure to treat others with empathy by hearing them out and putting myself in their shoes, and I will especially treat my future elementary school students with empathy. “Thank you for holding my hand,” she told me. A simple gesture was effective at making her feel better after being distraught by her mother’s departure. When I get to teach in my own classroom, I will keep in mind how children have emotions they cannot handle. I have to understand what they might be experiencing and help them regulate their feelings. You never know what someone is going through. Listen to what they have to say first. Be there when they need you. Most importantly, hold their hand.

To take care of my mental health, I give my brain a rest by stepping away from stressors. When I relax, I like to engage in humor therapy—the free kind of therapy—because “a giggle a day keeps the doctor away.” When I practice self-care, I exercise. I turn to my mother and best friend to receive comedic relief. Even when I sob uncontrollably, say words unintelligibly, and have boogers streaming down my face, my support system does not judge me. They hear me out and make me laugh. As a result, I forget why I was upset. I also turn to music. Music never fails to bring a smile to my face. My current favorite uplifting songs include “Super Yuppers!” by WJSN CHOCOME, “Smiley” by YENA, and “Goodbye” by B.A.P. Plus, I turn to Korean romantic-comedy dramas because they are lighthearted. The most hilarious shows I have watched are Fight for My Way, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Touch Your Heart, True Beauty, and My Roommate is a Gumiho. Finally, I turn to funny videos. Keeping a humor file comes in handy when I need a quick source of entertainment. My file is a playlist on YouTube consisting of my favorite comedic YouTubers. I love watching nigahiga, Wong Fu Productions, LeendaDProductions, Core4VT Reacts, and SLICE n RICE. I also add humorous videos to my favorites on TikTok. After all, “laughter is the best medicine.” If I do not want to be stationary, I dance or walk. I follow Korean pop choreography through dance practice videos, and I brisk walk indoors or outdoors. Both exercises take my mind off of things. When those methods are not accessible, I simply smile. The mere act of curving my lips upward—not even having to show my teeth—helps me destress.

Volunteer. Travel to Vietnam. Get certified in taking blood pressure. Get certified in performing CPR. Win a writing contest. Win a scholarship. Graduate from university. Become an elementary school teacher. Obtain a master’s degree. Learn how to play the piano. Publish a book. Teach English in Vietnam. Out of the 12 items on my bucket list, I have achieved half of them. I volunteered throughout the majority of high school. My favorite volunteering opportunities took place at the library. There, I assisted children with homework and tutored them in various subjects during the summer. I also assembled decorations for holiday events and organized books for book drives. Lastly, I encouraged children to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge to build their reading comprehension. I created their accounts, logged in their points, and awarded them with a book of their choice. Since the booth was located next to the entrance, I was able to guide customers on how to borrow books and return them, especially the ones who only knew Vietnamese. I plan on volunteering more to make the library accessible. In the summer after my sophomore year, I flew to Vietnam, where I finally got to visit my family members for the first time. For my mother, it was the first time in 20 years! I want to travel there again and let my mother see her family more. During my junior year of high school, I got certified in taking blood pressure and performing CPR. These are valuable skills, as I can help my parents take their blood pressure. I can also bring an adult back to life if their heart stops beating. In my first year of college, I won two writing contests and two scholarships, which I have always wanted to accomplish.

My family and goals fuel my life. As immigrants, my parents put their educational journey on the back-burner to raise my younger sister and me. Although my father attended a community college here, he never went on to university. On the other hand, my mother was not able to complete elementary school because she had to take care of her younger siblings in Vietnam. She tried to learn English but became pregnant. At the time, they prioritized making money rather than their education so that they could start a family. I can now fulfill some of their dreams, which are my goals. I am proud to say that I will be receiving my associate degree in Child and Adolescent Development at the end of the Spring 2022 term as a first-generation college student. I will dedicate my degree to my mother because we earned it. She made sure to meet my needs to be healthy and prepared so that I could learn my best. She fed me well, listened to me when I was distraught, reminded me to sleep early, nurtured me back to health when I was ill, and healed my wounds. Without her, I would not be as successful as I am today. When I hand her the piece of paper, I will say that it is hers. She will have a postsecondary degree. Then, I will obtain my bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development at a four-year institution when I transfer and become the first in my family to graduate from university. Once I acquire that sheet, I will gift it to my father who has been funding my education. He works overtime as much as possible to have enough money for my tuition. That bachelor's degree is his in addition to his associate degree.

“Congratulations! You just published [insert chapter name]!” I enjoy writing stories on Wattpad because I feel like a published author. The platform allows me to draft stories, describe plots, create book covers, join fandoms, and engage with my readers. I have been writing on Wattpad since middle school, so I can see the progression of my writing. Even though I am not the best writer, I like how it is a friendly place to share my works and gain feedback. My writing has improved immensely, but there is always room for more improvement. Looking back on my old writing, I can reflect on how I started versus where I am now. I am glad that the Korean pop fanfiction community welcomed me with open arms. Although it is unbearable for me to read my old stories, I keep them up because my readers like them despite all the grammatical errors made by teenage me. The readership on Wattpad is unparalleled. I love checking my notifications to see if someone voted on a chapter, left a comment, or added the story to their reading list. Sometimes, I receive messages in my inbox or conversation wall about how much they love my writing and need more updates, which warms my heart. Out of the millions of stories published on Wattpad that are written by talented people, they chose to give my stories a chance and compliment me. What I love most about Wattpad is that it is my creative outlet. Not only do I get to write, but I also get to edit my book covers if someone else does not make them for me. I used to edit photos heavily during middle school, so I can brush up on my skills. Plus, book covers add to the published author feeling. I can use my imagination and write whatever I think and feel, be it inspired by what I consume in the media or based on my experiences. One day, I want to be a real published author. My books—children’s or young adult—will be centered on Vietnamese-American characters because I rarely see them in books, TV shows, and movies. I hope to see more Vietnamese representation if I do get to publish a book. Until then, I will keep writing on Wattpad.

Since I value belonging, I stay true to myself in my daily life by surrounding myself with people I find that sense of belonging in. During my freshman year of high school, I had a group of friends I liked talking to, but it was unstable, and we dispersed into other groups. From then on, my need for belonging heightened because of how lonely I was. Despite hanging out with several groups, I felt like a ghost lingering behind them—my unwanted superpower was invisibility. It seemed as if I could not be myself because I was not interesting enough for their attention. I made friends in my classes, but they had their own cliques, so I had no one to sit with me at lunch. I sat by myself on numerous occasions, and I felt empty no matter what, be it in indoor, outdoor, crowded, or vacant areas. Fortunately, my current group of friends found me during my senior year of high school. A mutual friend introduced me to their group, so we hung out during breaks. Another mutual friend invited me to their birthday party, where I met their close friends. Finally, I had company and felt full. These people accepted me and liked talking to me for me. We shared common interests, such as humor, shows, music genres, and more. I live boldly by being my unapologetic self around my friends because I belong in their circle. I do not have to make space for myself; they make space for me. They want me to be there just as much as I want to be there. When you find your people, you do not settle for less—you can be you. You are not alone. You belong. You are loved. You are worthy. The feeling is mutual.

I will never forget when I took English 1B during my first year of college and saw a series of paintings entitled “The Course of Empire” by Thomas Cole. Out of all the paintings, “The Consummation” stood out to me because of its beauty. With its bright colors, it made me feel happy despite being miserable from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, my professor’s lecture on the paintings and aligning them with mythology changed my perspective on the future. Even though humanity may deteriorate, it will return to its Golden Age because of its cyclical propensity. “The Consummation” inspires me to remain optimistic since it represents the Golden Age of our cosmos, so it is a reminder that life will eventually be restored to its former glory after the pandemic. As a rule of the universe, there will be periods of peace and war as well as growth and decay—for better or for worse. While the condition of humanity becomes imperfect, that does not mean there is no hope. In the painting, there is a myriad of people. I view the crowd as humans prevailing over nature, rebuilding civilization after mass destruction. The architecture is grand and luxurious, as seen by the gold motif. The wealth demonstrates that humans have taken their power back. As a collective, they repaired what was broken and celebrated their victory with a festival. I love how art and English intersect. A painting tells a story, and there are many ways to interpret the message. Consummation, in this context, means completion. When I look at “The Consummation,” it gives me hope that this will be the consummation of the COVID-19 virus.

Friendship means always being there for each other. I can best describe the meaning with examples of my friendship with my best friend. Friendship is glancing toward one another when the teacher says to choose a partner for a project and smiling immediately. Then, you work together and complete it while having fun and laughing your head off. Friendship is giving them school supplies to be successful in school. Friendship is sitting next to each other on the bus after a field trip and falling asleep together. Friendship is coming to see them when they are crying on the porch and need you. Friendship is chuckling at them when they get into an embarrassing situation and helping them afterward. Friendship is letting them know everything about your day; friendship is ranting through text and they respond to every message. Friendship is talking about your crushes endlessly; friendship is being excited for them when they get into a relationship. Friendship is calling them until it is an unreasonable time to go to bed because your heart has been shattered; friendship is comforting them when they have to end a relationship. Friendship is making sure they are well-fed with the food you bring them; friendship is paying for their meals. Friendship is guiding them to the nearest restroom when they are about to vomit. Friendship is offering them part of your financial aid package because they were not eligible for a grant even though they needed the funds. Friendship is proofreading their essays before they submit them. Friendship is sticking with them when they are at their worst until they can be at their best. Friendship is always thinking about what you can do for them. Friendship is meeting your platonic soulmate.

To live a long, healthy life, one must be happy and balanced. Nutritious food is medicine. However, it is important to eat food you like—even if they are unhealthy—because all food fuels you. Good, moderate stress can help with productivity, but it can cause health issues in the long run when the stress is bad and high. So, it is best to smile and laugh more. Watch a funny video, laugh at yourself, or smile from ear to ear to stop thinking negatively. Aside from humor therapy, music is another excellent technique to alleviate stress. Lastly, being mindful of your perception of the stressor and breathing slowly and deeply is an alternative intervention. After a long day of working hard, reward yourself by indulging in hobbies, such as reading, writing, and watching shows or movies, during your free time. Remember to move your body more. Most of our day is spent engaging in sedentary activities. As a result, our bodies are prone to aches and inadequate postures. Stretch, brisk walk, jog, run, dance—whatever you do, be active while getting to clear your mind. Exercise prevents many health risks. Prioritize your sleep! This cannot be stressed enough. Your body needs rest. Go to bed at a reasonable time, and aim for about 8 hours. If that is not doable, take a power nap when possible. Sleep precludes health problems as well. These factors can achieve a long, healthy life because they address unhappiness and imbalance. Eating nutrient-dense food is a must, but restricting yourself from snacks you enjoy is not sustainable. There is no such thing as a stress-free life, but one can stop stress from becoming debilitating. While it is vital to complete tasks, it is equally vital to take care of yourself through exercise, sleep, and eating well.

Kind and knowledgeable; Korean drama and Korean pop fan Always trying my best to reach my educational goals as well as career goals Yearning for success every day Lifelong learner as a future elementary school educator Aiming to persevere as a first-generation college student Tremendously passionate about meeting the needs of children because they are the future Respectful, responsible, reassuring, and reliable Undying love for reading, writing, and Vietnamese culture as an aspiring writer Obedient, observant, open-hearted, opinionated, opportunistic, and organized, of course Nearsighted, neat, and nurturing Glad to be generous, genuine, gleeful, and grateful

I am happy because I am alive on this planet, in the same space as my family and friends, learning to love myself as much as they love me. When I wake up, my mother, father, or my younger sister greet me. I get up, and I look forward to brushing my teeth because they are getting a deep clean. To top it off, my breath becomes minty. Then, I wash my face, which is beyond refreshing. The splash of water on my face energizes me. I comb my hair, and I love how silky it is. For breakfast, I get to eat with my parents. When lunchtime rolls around, nothing says, “I love you,” more than a bowl of cut fruit from my mother. By the time I eat dinner, my younger sister comes home from school, and we share a meal. My friends check up on me throughout the week, and I appreciate how they still think of and care about me. Every time my mind becomes destructive, I remember that I am not alone. My heart is working hard to keep beating. The very heart that pumps blood throughout my body is the heart that I am slowly using to have compassion for myself. I go to sleep happy, knowing that the dear people in my life are happy that I exist. Where there is gloominess, there is a ray of sunshine that awaits—the love that illuminates from my family, friends, and, ultimately, me.

I never learned about female Vietnamese historical figures until I enrolled in an Ethnic Studies: Vietnamese American Experience/Culture course. Out of the two Trưng sisters, I look up to the older sister: Trưng Trắc. As a fellow older sister, I admire her nobleness. She, alongside her younger sister Trưng Nhị, studied martial arts and warfare strategies because of Chinese rule. Although rebellions occurred, many were unsuccessful. However, the tradition of women warriors began with the sisters because of their successful revolt in 40 C.E. Trưng Trắc declared war against the Chinese to restore Vietnam’s independence. Their army consisted of 80,000 people and was led by 36 women generals, including their mother. Thanks to their skills, they took 65 fortresses and won. After their victory, Trưng Trắc ruled for three years, becoming the first female Vietnamese monarch and the only queen to reign ever in Vietnamese history. She was pronounced “Trưng Nữ Vương.” Nữ means “female” and vương means “king,” so she was known as “She-King Trưng” or “Queen Trưng.” Under her rule, she abolished taxes and brought back traditional Vietnamese values since Vietnamese citizens were forced to pay high taxes and reject their culture during the Chinese Han Dynasty. Even though they were defeated in 42 C.E. by the Chinese Emperor, China recognized that Trưng Trắc had a “brave and fearless disposition.” Rightfully so, because as a leader, she made chilling promises: “Foremost, I will avenge my country. Second, I will restore the Hung lineage. Third, I will avenge the death of my husband. Lastly, I vow that these goals will be accomplished.” Vietnam reveres them as the national symbol of Vietnamese women and nationalism. Moreover, they represent freedom in a matriarchal society. Trưng Trắc inspires me to fight for my beliefs.

My mother always tells me in Vietnamese, “If you lose something, then you gain something else,” whenever I experience a loss. I usually brush it off because it is not the kind of solace I am looking for, but, in retrospect, she is right. I spent hundreds of dollars on college applications, and when the time to decide on which school to commit to rolled around, the lockdown had begun, so I had to consider my options. My dream university rejected me, and I did not gravitate toward the rest. After some deliberation, I chose to attend community college. Although I wished I did not apply for universities to mitigate the expenses, my mother said the experience is valuable, as I can recall how to apply as a transfer student. Initially, I did not qualify for financial aid, so I had to pay for my tuition at full price. To top it off, the advisor of financial assistance I contacted was condescending. I was beyond upset about the situation, venting to my mother. However, a few weeks later, I qualified for a refund. Another example is how I had been applying for scholarships for two years, only not to secure any of them. Again, I was disappointed, but I eventually won two writing contests and two scholarships offered by my school. Sometimes life does not go the way we want it to, but we have to keep trying and be patient because, in the end, it will all be worth it. Ergo, I want to share my mother's sentence with the world because it makes our gains even sweeter.

Through a TED Talk video I watched in my Career Planning course, I learned that I am a multipotentialite. Essentially, I am someone who has a plethora of interests and creative pursuits. Every time someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I had a different answer. In the first grade, I wanted to be a news reporter. In the fourth grade, I wanted to be a fashion designer. In middle school, I wanted to be an author. In my freshman year of high school, I wanted to be a pediatrician. In my junior year, I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. In my second semester of college, I realized that my calling is being an elementary school teacher, but that may be subject to change. I have immersed myself in various hobbies, including art, editing photos, and writing songs, poems, and stories. However, when I become obsessed, I end up quitting. I wondered, “Why do I keep changing my mind? Why am I so indecisive?” Thanks to the class, I recognized that I have more than one true calling. I do not want to limit myself to one job. Aside from being a teacher, I want to be an author, a writer, a blogger, a content creator, and more that I have yet to discover. It is not an issue that I do not have enough passion to commit to one thing; it is a strength that I have so much passion that I want to do everything. It may be so outlandish that it is unlikely for me to have many careers, but I know I can do all I want and more. Career Planning taught me that my skills involve idea synthesis, rapid learning, and adaptability. I have the potential—the multipotential.

Even as a mere listener of music, I can attest that songs are an incredible outlet for expressing emotions regardless of the language. The song “Goodbye” by B.A.P (Best Absolute Perfect) explains how I feel and inspires me to say goodbye to sorrow and say hello to a better me. The song begins with, “When this world that I viewed easily doesn’t go my way. When I slowly crumble at the despair that I can’t handle by myself. When I keep falling in front of the wall called reality. Oh, I lost the way to pierce through the world,” which are my frequent thoughts. Scarily, the world I was happy to be brought into took me out whenever things went wrong. Sometimes, the angst was so unbearable that I cried myself to sleep and believed that I do not belong in this world. Then, the following lyrics bring me to a revelation. “It seems like I’m possessed by something. I keep focusing on the pain.” I am the type of person to laugh at everything, so why am I thinking negatively? The chorus finally arrives: “No more pain. Goodbye, goodbye! I will shed and throw away my weakness and overcome myself.” These words encourage me to snap out of my fixed mindset. In an emotional falsetto, the line, “Bring me back to me,” reminds me that I am not myself when I am unhappy. “Take in a deep breath and let it out. You can do it. Keep walking toward your hopes that can be reached. Don’t stop in this shadow of the world.” This bridge empowers me to take charge of my future, my self-fulfilled prophecy. With the help of “Goodbye,” I can change my perception, leave behind my misery, and be the best version of myself.

Many people do not consider college an option because they did poorly in high school, do not have the money for college, do not know what to major in, do not have anyone in their family who attended college, or would rather get into the workforce quickly. To convince a peer to attend college if they did not want to, I would suggest attending community college. If the peer had a low GPA in high school, they can start their journey in higher education on a clean slate. Once they complete the prerequisites for their major and the general education requirements, they can transfer to a university with a higher GPA. If the peer does not have a stable income or comes from a low-income family, they can afford classes at a community college rather than classes at a university. Students usually commute to their classes, so they do not have to spend money on dorming and meal plan expenses. They can work a part-time or full-time job. If working while being a full-time student is too overwhelming, they can join a federal work-study program at the college. Federal work-study is more flexible for students. Moreover, they can apply for financial aid to help subsidize their tuition costs. Aside from financial aid, they can apply for scholarships the community college offers or on scholarship platforms. If the peer does not have a clue on what major they want to pursue, they can explore their interests without denting their wallet. Community colleges have a variety of electives to take from many academic disciplines. Furthermore, they can meet with a counselor to discuss their interests and pick a major. If the peer would be a first-generation college student, they can meet a community in the same boat. Plenty of students come from parents who have never attended university, myself included. Community college offers workshops on financial aid, major and degree selection, registering for classes, transferring to a university, and more. If they have questions, they can book an appointment with an advisor or counselor or email them. The environment will make them flourish with the small teacher-to-student ratio. The class sizes are smaller, so the professor can get to know their students better. Students can easily reach out to their instructors to meet during office hours or at another time via an appointment. Also, they can build close relationships with their professors in case they need letters of recommendation for scholarships and graduate school or guidance on anything related to college. Additionally, because there are fewer students compared to a university, the tutoring center will have enough tutors to help with homework or studying. If the peer wants to work immediately, they can earn a certificate of achievement or specialization or an associate degree to boost their resume and land a job. Community colleges also host classes for training cohorts, internships, job opportunities, translation and interpreting programs, and more.

The simple pleasures in my life involve the things I do to take care of myself. When I start my day by brushing my teeth, it makes me happy that I can keep my teeth clean because I like to see my smile. Then, I comb my hair, and it makes me happy because I can feel the silkiness. After I eat breakfast, it makes me happy to wash my meal down with milk because it keeps my bones strong. When I shower, I love washing my hair with shampoo. It makes me happy because my scalp is no longer itchy. Subsequently, I make my hair soft by applying conditioner. It makes me happy because I can detangle my hair. Finally, I finish my shower routine with body wash. It makes me happy because it moisturizes my skin. To dry my hair quickly, I use a blow-dryer, and I like how my hair is not wet anymore. It makes me happy because it rejuvenates my hair. For lunch, I indulge in fruits as a snack. It makes me happy that my mother cuts fruit for me because she knows I love fruits and makes sure to have them ready for me to consume. Dinner is an indicator that I have to sleep soon, which makes me happy because I love sleeping. I brisk walk for about an hour, which makes me happy because I am being active. To get ready to sleep, I floss and brush my teeth, which makes me happy because I can get rid of the food particles that got stuck in my teeth throughout the day and experience my minty breath again. When I end my night by laying on my bed, it makes me happy that I have spent the day taking care of myself.

1. I deserve this scholarship because I’m American. 2. As a Jared who’s 19, my academic goal is to learn how to read. 3. I had to overcome an obstacle when I was told by a financial aid advisor that I do not qualify for financial aid. So, I cried and forced my best friend to give me her funds.

To capture my college experience, I name my playlist “Taking it Day by Day” under the artist name Oh Kay. The first song is “breathin” by Ariana Grande. Being a first-generation community college student during a pandemic is stressful, as I need to stay on top of my classes and applications to transfer to a university. Transferring is not as easy as everyone says. Hence, I “just keep breathin’.” The second song is “brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo. My college experience has been lonely and full of impostor syndrome. Like Olivia, “I only have two real friends” and “I’m not smart.” It really is brutal out here. The third song is “Pity Party” by Melanie Martinez. When I am burnt out, I wallow in self-pity because “it’s my party, and I'll cry if I want to.” The fourth song is “Are You Satisfied?” by Marina and the Diamonds. The answer is no. I'm a high achiever, and "I'm a control freak driven by a greed to succeed," but it still leaves me unsatisfied. The fifth song is “Tired” by beabadoobee. College is exhausting, so I “haven’t been good for long” and “haven’t felt right for days” since “the sound of [my] own thoughts … always keeps [me] up at night.”

My fourth-grade teacher has had the most positive impact on my life because he made learning fun and encouraged me to read and write. He still positively impacts my life because I keep in touch with him to confide in him about my problems and update him on my achievements. An upcoming achievement of mine will be graduating from university as a first-generation student. What drove my interest in going to college is furthering my education in Child and Adolescent Development so that I can become a supportive elementary school educator who understands children’s needs. I have always been interested in spending time with children and observing them. Naturally, I wanted to learn more about children, especially in regards to how they think. Furthermore, I teach my younger sister concepts frequently. Thus, teaching is innate for me, and I wish to make it my career. When I become a teacher, I hope to motivate my students to strive to become lifelong learners because knowledge is power. I would love to be an inspiration for my students with immigrant parents that will be the first in their families to attend college. If I can do it, so can they. Also, my fourth-grade teacher fostered my affinity for reading and writing, leading to my strengths in English and love for school. As I deliberated my major, I reminisced about my moments from elementary school, cultivating the revelation that I want to pursue elementary education like him. The sheer impact he had on me remains, as I wish to have the same impact on my future students. Although I struggled with reading comprehension, I still had fun reading. In particular, I pretended to bite a book because we were handed bookmarks by the San Jose Sharks saying, “Take a bite out of a good book!” My teacher saw this and took a picture, which made the act of reading even more enjoyable because of the positive memory. Another positive memory is when he read my essay aloud and praised it despite my grammar errors. I was nervous about my writing skills, but his feedback gave me the confidence to write more. Most importantly, I loved learning. Aside from being a role model inside of the classroom, he showed that he cared about his students outside of the classroom. He made a separate Facebook account so that his students could chat with him. Even after moving on to higher grade levels, we were his students for life. During middle school, I asked him for help with my math homework. Moreover, I was going to invite him to my high school graduation since he wanted to attend, but it was canceled due to the pandemic. I appreciate how he still wants to be there for his former students. I view him as my mentor, as I will contact him throughout my educational and teaching journey. Since he was unable to attend my high school graduation, I will make sure to invite him to my college graduation. I cannot wait to educate the youth because they will make the world a better place; in other words, they are the future!

When I was in middle school, my friend let me take over her anime account on Instagram. Instead of posting fanart and memes, I wanted our account to be original, so I made edits. I experimented with several apps, including PicsArt and Phonto. I used PicsArt to add filters, apply overlays, place PNGs, and more. I even learned how to make PNGs by erasing the background. With Phonto, I created texts by downloading unique fonts and integrating different colors, sizing, spacing, and strokes or backgrounds. I also followed tutorials on Instagram to implement various themes into my edits. Besides making edits for anime characters, I edited celebrities and YouTubers as well. Additionally, I picked up on writing fanfiction about Korean pop idols in middle school on Wattpad, and I still update chapters and think of ideas for new stories. As an avid reader, I wanted to write like my favorite authors. My writing has improved now that I am in college. I love to look back on my middle school works and see my growth. To accompany my fanfiction, I sometimes make the covers for the books using PicsArt and Phonto or just Phonto. Furthermore, I enjoy making moodboards, also knowns as collages, of K-pop idols on PhotoGrid to imagine my characters in the same space. Although I do not plan on pursuing editing as a career, I hope to publish a book with Asian American characters, particularly Vietnamese Americans, and possibly edit the cover. Until then, it is fulfilling to practice my creativity via editing and Wattpad.

The study strategies I use to achieve academic success revolve around repetition. After taking notes from lecture slides in the morning or afternoon, I highlight key terms and phrases at night while reading my notes thoroughly. I make sure to reread those notes weekly, typically Sunday night, to jog my memory. Aside from my notes, I review quizzes and assignments frequently. I like to redo the questions without using my notes as if I was taking a test. I mark the questions I get wrong and answer those questions again until I get them right. When I need clarification, I refer to the textbook. Sometimes, I need another resource to understand the material, so I watch YouTube videos. I read over the textbook and watch the videos a few more times to make the content stick in my brain. Moreover, I like to consult with my friends or a tutor often whenever I have questions on the assignments. Ergo, I get various explanations from several sources to comprehend the subject. The aforementioned study strategies are mostly passive learning. After engaging in passive learning, I practice active recall by teaching myself, my younger sister, or my friend the concepts. I use a study guide to evaluate my understanding. I go down the list, explain each idea in detail, and check for accuracy using my work. For the ideas I cannot expand on, I jot down notes since I have already read and said the material aloud. Writing reinforces the information best for me.

I am passionate about becoming an elementary school teacher. Elementary school is pivotal in children’s lives because they learn elemental material. To become successful in school, they need to have a foundation in English, mathematics, science, and history. Coupled with art, children can foster their creativity. Just as my fourth-grade teacher inspired me to enjoy learning, particularly reading and writing, I wish to have the same impact as him so that my students strive to become lifelong learners and pursue higher education. Starting from elementary school, I learned about my strengths and weaknesses in academics, so I want to help students figure out what they excel in and what they need to improve. I struggled with math and science, and I know those are challenging subjects for many students. By understanding the difficulty of the material, I can guide students patiently. Moreover, I contended with reading comprehension. Hence, I had to read frequently. Fortunately, I developed an affinity for reading as a result. In turn, my writing ameliorated. Of utmost importance, I hope to teach children that all learning takes is some more practice so that they want to learn perpetually. Outside of engaging in reading and writing, I aspire to show children to appreciate art. Art is an excellent tool to express oneself. It can also be used to alleviate stress as a creative outlet. Additionally, it can serve as a memory enhancer. By incorporating visual aids, colors, movements, smells, and sounds, children can retrieve information quicker. As a future elementary educator, I want to connect with my students as part of their learning journey. Furthermore, I want to expose them to various modes of learning and encourage them to achieve their dreams.

After graduating from university with a degree in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching and acquiring my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, I aspire to become an elementary school teacher. I hope to teach at the same elementary school I attended because of the fond memories I have there. Most importantly, I want to have the same impact as my fourth-grade teacher who encouraged me to read and write. Moreover, he made learning fun. I also want to obtain my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, so I can move to Vietnam and teach elementary school students English with my best friend. I dream of finally getting to explore my roots in my parents’ motherland while helping my people. Aside from Vietnam, I wish to travel to Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar to teach English to elementary school students, too. It is a pleasure to embark on a journey to teach English throughout Southeast Asia to promote Southeast Asian excellence, as knowing two languages is beneficial. Being bilingual will help the children get their dream jobs when they are older because they can provide translations. Furthermore, if the children decide to immigrate to the United States, they can quickly assimilate into American society. I hope they get inspired to become lifelong learners and pursue higher education by learning from a fellow Southeast Asian educator.

After graduating from university with a degree in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching, I aspire to become an elementary school teacher. I hope to teach at the same elementary school I attended because of the fond memories I have there. Most importantly, I want to have the same impact as my fourth-grade teacher who encouraged me to read and write. Moreover, he made learning fun. I also want to obtain my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, so I can move to Vietnam and teach elementary school students English with my best friend. I dream of finally getting to explore my roots in my parents’ motherland while helping my people. Aside from Vietnam, I wish to travel to Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar to teach English to elementary school students, too. It is a pleasure to embark on a journey to teach English throughout Southeast Asia to promote Southeast Asian excellence, as knowing two languages is beneficial. Being bilingual will help the children get their dream jobs when they are older because they can provide translations. Furthermore, if the children decide to immigrate to the United States, they can quickly assimilate into American society. I hope they get inspired to become lifelong learners and pursue higher education by learning from a fellow Southeast Asian educator.

Things that fuel my life involve my family, hobbies, exercise, and my best friend. To start my day, my mother prepares breakfast for our family. She, my father, and I gather around the table to eat. Then, my mother picks up my younger sister from high school, and I open the door for her when she comes home. Since I cannot share a meal with her in the morning, we have dinner together instead. I am glad that I can eat with my family throughout the day and that I am never lonely. After a long day of schoolwork, I can finally wind down with a Korean drama, webtoon, exercise, and texting my best friend. I like how K-dramas typically have one season, so it is easier to binge-watch them. With unique storylines, stellar casts, profound scripts, beautiful cinematography, and engaging background music, K-dramas are my escape from reality. Aside from shows, I love reading webtoons, which are digital comics. The artwork is stunning, and every week there is a new episode. The weekly episodes from K-dramas and webtoons make a boring week feel like Christmas day as if I keep receiving gifts. As much as I enjoy sitting down to watch a show or read a webcomic, I feel lethargic after engaging in sedentary activities, so I brisk walk to get my body moving and alleviate stress. Before heading to bed, I check my text messages from my best friend. Her replies never fail to bring a smile to my face, which is why I end the day by reading the funny things she has to say.

I think the meaning of life is to live with gratitude, seek out joy, and enjoy the simple pleasures. I try to achieve it by appreciating everything I have, particularly my family, and being happy through my hobbies. To start my day, my mother prepares breakfast for our family. She, my father, and I gather around the table to eat. Then, my mother picks up my younger sister from high school, and I open the door for her when she comes home. Since I cannot share a meal with her in the morning, we have dinner together instead. I am glad that I can eat with my family throughout the day and that I am never lonely. After a long day of schoolwork, I can finally wind down with a Korean drama, webtoon, exercise, and texting my best friend. I like how K-dramas typically have one season, so it is easier to binge-watch them. With unique storylines, stellar casts, profound scripts, beautiful cinematography, and engaging background music, K-dramas are my escape from reality. Aside from shows, I love reading webtoons, which are digital comics. The artwork is stunning, and every week there is a new episode. The weekly episodes from K-dramas and webtoons make a boring week feel like Christmas day as if I keep receiving gifts. As much as I enjoy sitting down to watch a show or read a webcomic, I feel lethargic after engaging in sedentary activities, so I brisk walk to get my body moving and alleviate stress. Before heading to bed, I check my text messages from my best friend. Her replies never fail to bring a smile to my face, which is why I end the day by reading the funny things she has to say.

I live with gratitude and appreciate everything I have by seeking out joy and enjoying the simple pleasures that make me happy. To start my day, my mother prepares breakfast for our family. She, my father, and I gather around the table to eat. Then, my mother picks up my younger sister from high school, and I open the door for her when she comes home. Since I cannot share a meal with her in the morning, we have dinner together instead. I am glad that I can eat with my family throughout the day and that I am never lonely. After a long day of schoolwork, I can finally wind down with a Korean drama, webtoon, exercise, and texting my best friend. I like how K-dramas typically have one season, so it is easier to binge-watch them. With unique storylines, stellar casts, profound scripts, beautiful cinematography, and engaging background music, K-dramas are my escape from reality. Aside from shows, I love reading webtoons, which are digital comics. The artwork is stunning, and every week there is a new episode. The weekly episodes from K-dramas and webtoons make a boring week feel like Christmas day as if I keep receiving gifts. As much as I enjoy sitting down to watch a show or read a webcomic, I feel lethargic after engaging in sedentary activities, so I brisk walk to get my body moving and alleviate stress. Before heading to bed, I check my text messages from my best friend. Her replies never fail to bring a smile to my face, which is why I end the day by reading the funny things she has to say.

Joy means doing the things that I love. Various ways I seek out joy in my life include eating with my family, watching K-dramas, reading webtoons, exercising, and texting my best friend. To start my day, my mother prepares breakfast for our family. She, my father, and I gather around the table to eat. Then, my mother picks up my younger sister from high school, and I open the door for her when she comes home. Since I cannot share a meal with her in the morning, we have dinner together instead. I am glad that I can eat with my family throughout the day and that I am never lonely. After a long day of schoolwork, I can finally wind down with a Korean drama, webtoon, exercise, and texting my best friend. I like how K-dramas typically have one season, so it is easier to binge-watch them. With unique storylines, stellar casts, profound scripts, beautiful cinematography, and engaging background music, K-dramas are my escape from reality. Aside from shows, I love reading webtoons, which are digital comics. The artwork is stunning, and every week there is a new episode. The weekly episodes from K-dramas and webtoons make a boring week feel like Christmas day as if I keep receiving gifts. As much as I enjoy sitting down to watch a show or read a webcomic, I feel lethargic after engaging in sedentary activities, so I brisk walk to get my body moving and alleviate stress. Before heading to bed, I check my text messages from my best friend. Her replies never fail to bring a smile to my face, which is why I end the day by reading the funny things she has to say.

Because of the pandemic, I have been homebound. Although some days are miserable, it is the simple pleasures that keep me happy by making life joyous and entertaining. To start my day, my mother prepares breakfast for our family. She, my father, and I gather around the table to eat. Then, my mother picks up my younger sister from high school, and I open the door for her when she comes home. Since I cannot share a meal with her in the morning, we have dinner together instead. I am glad that I can eat with my family throughout the day and that I am never lonely. After a long day of schoolwork, I can finally wind down with a Korean drama, webtoon, exercise, and texting my best friend. I like how K-dramas typically have one season, so it is easier to binge-watch them. With unique storylines, stellar casts, profound scripts, beautiful cinematography, and engaging background music, K-dramas are my escape from reality. Aside from shows, I love reading webtoons, which are digital comics. The artwork is stunning, and every week there is a new episode. The weekly episodes from K-dramas and webtoons make a boring week feel like Christmas day as if I keep receiving gifts. As much as I enjoy sitting down to watch a show or read a webcomic, I feel lethargic after engaging in sedentary activities, so I brisk walk to get my body moving and alleviate stress. Before heading to bed, I check my text messages from my best friend. Her replies never fail to bring a smile to my face, which is why I end the day by reading the funny things she has to say.

After graduating from university with a degree in Child and Adolescent Development: Preparation for Teaching and obtaining my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, I move to Vietnam to teach elementary school students English with my best friend. Finally, I get to explore my roots in my parents’ motherland while helping my people. Aside from Vietnam, I get to travel to Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar to teach English to elementary school students, too. It is a pleasure to embark on a journey to teach English throughout Southeast Asia to promote Southeast Asian excellence, as knowing two languages is beneficial. Being bilingual will help the children get their dream jobs when they are older because they can provide translations. Moreover, if the children decide to immigrate to the United States, they can easily assimilate into American society. I hope they get inspired to learn and pursue higher education when they have a fellow Southeast Asian educator. That is what my dream life looks like.

I define friendship as always being there for someone who needs a companion, someone to lay their head on who is all ears while the person cries, vents, or tells the news. Because of the pandemic, this is not a feasible option, so the next best thing is to contact someone virtually. I constantly rant to my best friend in multiple texts as my thoughts run through my head. I do not expect her to reply to me instantly, but I am glad she has given me the space to safely voice my feelings. When I am in need of her to respond to me, I ask if she is available to call because of an urgent matter. When it comes to urgency, she automatically makes time to hear me out. I do not come to her for advice, especially because she may not know how to help. Instead, she just listens to me, and that is all I need. She is a good listener and immensely validating. I am glad she allows me to tell her everything, even if it is too much information. I never feel as though I am annoying her because she knows worrying and oversharing are part of my personality. She is constantly assuring me that everything is going to turn out okay, and, most importantly, she is proud of my efforts and achievements. Just as I can confide in her, she can confide in me. I am beyond elated that she is my friend and that I get to be her friend in this life! Friendship means supporting each other through thick and thin.

After a long day of schoolwork and studying, I practice self-care by brisk walking for approximately an hour. My goal is to walk over 6,000 steps at least three to five days a week. Brisk walking impacts my mental and physical health by alleviating my stress and strengthening my body. Mentally, I am always concerned about my grades. I tend to prioritize school over my mental health, so now I am incorporating exercise into my night routine. When I brisk walk, it clears my mind. I do not have to think about my homework or studying because I am more fixated on my distance, duration, pace, and steps. Instead of sitting at a table staring at a screen, I am more in tune with my body and the environment, focusing on my breath. Moreover, I do not feel the need to compare my physical performance to others as I would with my academic performance. In other words, I am competing against myself when I brisk walk, trying to walk faster. Physically, brisk walking leaves me in great shape. I used to never exercise because I relied on walking to classes on campus. Now that I have been learning from home due to the pandemic, I do not have that opportunity. However, I was able to take a fitness walking course, which inspired me to integrate brisk walking into my exercise routine. I noticed that I was lethargic when I did not exercise, even when I did get sufficient sleep. Since brisk walking, I found that I have more energy and the capacity to walk four miles within one hour and three minutes. When it comes to one mile, my best time was 15 minutes. My stamina and endurance are higher, so I know my body is getting stronger.

Something I love about myself is my hair. I used to love it because it helps me hide my face when I am embarrassed, but I have come to love it because it frames my face. My hair boosts my confidence in terms of my appearance; I receive the most compliments regarding my hair. I love my hair color. Before, it was pitch black, but now it is a lighter brown on the bottom portion. Although I like it regardless of whether it is black or brown, I appreciate how the ends of my hair are a different color as opposed to the crown of my head. The duality appears best in photos with proper lighting, and I find it beautiful. My hair color gives me a natural and youthful look. I love how healthy my hair is. Despite blow-drying my hair frequently without a heat protectant, my hair remains thick. Also, I do not have split ends. I love how soft my hair is. I used to apply conditioner every time I washed my hair, but I quickly realized my hair did not need that product. It was already silky to begin with. I love how fast my hair grows. Haircuts never bother me since I know my hair will grow out in no time. I love styling my hair. I enjoy various hairstyles because my hair is organically straight, making it easier to tame. In particular, I like to braid my hair and tie it in a high ponytail. I especially love how my hair frames my face. Whether my hair is short or long, any length complements my facial structure, highlighting the roundness of my face.

The most inspiring book I have read is To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before because it was the first time I connected to a female protagonist so heavily when it comes to driving. Lara Jean she considers herself a skittish driver who has a tendency of getting lost despite passing her driving test. As another fearful driver, I get lost easily, too. Since she has a younger sister, she wants to feel like the big sister, knowing that her passenger is safe when driving her. I also have a younger sister, so I want to drive with confidence if I need to give her a ride. Lara Jean states that driving is a lot of responsibility, and I agree. I used to have the same doubts she had when I started taking driving lessons, not feeling ready to drive, even when I am old. Moreover, I used to think I would have to rely on my family members to drive me places because I am useless, similar to Lara Jean. However, she eventually gains the confidence to drive to the mall. Likewise, I gain confidence during my driving lessons and notice my improvements after practicing. I am no longer the frightful driver I used to be; I know that if I follow the rules by maintaining my speed limit and distance between cars as well as checking my mirrors, then I will be fine on the road. Of course, I need more practice to be a skilled defensive driver, but thanks to Lara Jean, I have the courage to keep driving because I know my concerns are valid.

Whether it is viewing a newly released episode or binging the whole show, watching a Korean drama makes me happy. I have been watching K-dramas since I was in middle school, and it is still my best source of happiness as a college student. With a variety of genres and constant production, I never get bored because there is always something to watch. The exciting plots allow me to escape from reality momentarily and pretend to be in the shoes of the female protagonist. Examples include moving into a classmate’s house after losing a home because of an earthquake, living in a rooftop toom next to the lead singer of a rock band, waking up from a coma with a 17-year-old mental state and a 30-year-old body, working under a CEO ex-husband, falling in love with a hologram, working at a law firm to gain insight of being a lawyer for a role as an actress, and attending school under the identity of a twin sister. While these plots are unrealistic, it is what makes the shows entertaining. Aside from the plots, the actors and actresses that bring the characters to life are incredible. They truly embody their given personas and emote the emotions to elevate the dialogue. I feel the sadness, anger, humiliation, fear, anxiety, relief, and happiness evoked. In addition to the acting, the music perfectly captures the mood of the scenes. I like to listen to the OST on YouTube and learn the lyrics so I can sing along when the songs play. Frequently, I will hear the voices of my favorite Korean pop artists, which makes me happier while watching the drama. Moreover, I enjoy reading the reviews from K-drama watchers because the community welcomes fans to share their thoughts and theories.

“Congratulations! You passed,” said the driving examiner after ten grueling minutes. Those were the words I longed for when I failed my first behind-the-wheel test. I immediately called my mom to tell her the news. All the tears I shed while taking driving lessons, making countless mistakes, and worrying about the results were worth it. Although I obtained my permit in 2019 and took lessons in 2020, my permit eventually expired during the pandemic. Finally, on September 7, 2021, I was able to pass the driving test I had been anticipating, earning my driver’s license!

Although I do not have the funds to donate to organizations, the one way I try to have a positive impact on the world is through virtual mental health support using 7 Cups. Therapy is expensive, so it is inaccessible for most people struggling with their mental health. 7 Cups allows users to chat with listeners for free. As a listener, I have the pleasure of connecting with people and validating their feelings. Despite not being able to give advice because it may be unhelpful, these users just need someone to lend them an ear. After a conversation, they will thank me for hearing them out briefly. I feel as though I do not do much, but to them, having someone to talk to about their problems means the world. In a time of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to alleviate people’s stress and be a friend to those in need of company.

As an introverted homebody, I enjoyed how the pandemic has provided me the opportunity to learn virtually in the comfort of my home. I have the option to select asynchronous classes, offering more flexibility in schedules because there are no required meetings, aside from orientation (if it is hosted), and a longer window to complete assignments. Also, many professors have permitted notes and textbooks during exams, which help me recall information better. Therefore, I do not get as apprehensive as I would in person because I am not surrounded by people, and I can utilize my resources. Outside of the classroom, I found that I had more free time. I spent my leisure applying for writing contests and scholarships. I won two gift cards from two writing contests at my school. Additionally, I won two scholarships from my school. For Bold scholarships, I became a finalist twice. More ways I spent my spare time include watching Korean and Japanese dramas and movies, as well as taking driving lessons with an instructor. I was able to pass my behind-the-wheel test!

My favorite book is To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It was the first time I connected to a female protagonist so heavily. First, Lara Jean is Asian. Second, her thoughts, feelings, and traits match mine. She hates change more than almost anything, and so do I. To add, she considers herself a skittish driver who has a tendency of getting lost. As another fearful driver, I get lost easily, too. Since she has a younger sister, she wants to feel like the big sister, knowing that her passenger is safe when driving her. I also have a younger sister, so I want to drive with confidence if I need to give her a ride. Lara Jean states that driving is a lot of responsibility, and I agree. I used to have the same doubts she had when I started taking driving lessons, not feeling ready to drive, even when I am old. Moreover, I used to think I would have to rely on my family members to drive me places because I am useless, similar to Lara Jean. For as long as I can remember, I have always felt that I do not fit in with my friends until my senior year of high school. Lara Jean experiences the same thing when she meets her boyfriend’s friends, being part of a group that she feels she belongs in. A significant part of my character is being a sister. As sisters, fights inevitably break out. Lara Jean quarrels with her older sister, saying things she does not mean since she is angry. I constantly have those arguments with my younger sister. However, as Lara Jean says, we make up and find our way back to each other in the end.

As a meek seventh-grader, I believed the notion that girls are damsels in distress. It was dispelled once I encountered the anime Fairy Tail, as I saw powerful female protagonists. Of all the notable women, my favorite is Erza Scarlet. She is the epitome of strength, and she inspires me to be kinder to myself for as long as I live. I am my worst critic, so I tend to mull over my mistakes, resulting in crying. Erza’s profound words have comforted me. In particular, “Take it, that courage you have locked in your heart. Awaken it, wipe your tears, be strong and use that courage.” When I feel weak, I remember these lines: “Even if we walk on different paths, one must always live on as you are able! You must never treat your own life as something insignificant!” After all, “Being alive...is a sign of strength!"

My mother always tells me in Vietnamese, “If you lose this thing, then you gain another thing,” whenever I experience a loss. I usually brush it off because it is not the kind of solace I am looking for, but, in retrospect, she is right. I spent hundreds of dollars on college applications, and when the time to decide on which school to commit to rolled around, the lockdown had begun, so I had to consider my options. My dream university rejected me, and I did not gravitate toward the rest. After some deliberation, I chose to attend community college. Although I wished I did not apply for universities to mitigate the expenses, my mother said the experience is valuable, as I can recall how to apply as a transfer student. Initially, I did not qualify for financial aid, so I had to pay for my tuition at full price. To top it off, the advisor of financial assistance I contacted was condescending. I was beyond upset about the situation, venting to my mother. However, a few weeks later, I qualified for a refund. Another example is how I had been applying for scholarships for two years, only not to secure any of them. Again, I was disappointed, but I eventually won two writing contests and two scholarships offered by my school. Currently, my mother’s words are the wisest I have ever heard. Sometimes life does not go the way I want it to, but I have to keep trying and be patient because, in the end, it will all be worth it.

“Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow!” exclaims Mushu. Saying my all-time favorite film is not Mulan would bring dishonor on my whole family, on me, and my nonexistent cow. Mulan remains my all-time favorite film because, for the first time, a Disney princess looked like me. Most of all, her story resonated with me; other elements of the film, including the characters, humor, and music, make it my comfort movie. Mulan is an impeccable heroine. She is strong and independent, but, most importantly, she is not perfect. She makes unfortunate mistakes with her clumsiness, but that is what makes her relatable. I like how she has good intentions with her choices, seeing how her love for her father influenced her to take his place in the battle. I also like how she prays to her ancestors because I do, too. Mushu is a loyal and hilarious companion. I think he is the sole reason Mulan progresses to the battlefield. Without his guidance, Mulan would have been lost. Furthermore, he adds comedic relief to stressful situations, which lightens the mood of the film. The grandma also fits into the humor aspect, as her iconic line of “Would you like to stay forever?” stays in my head rent-free. Moreover, the songs are immaculate. I love “Reflection” in particular. Sometimes I do not like what I see in the mirror because I feel as though I am a disappointment to my parents. However, as long as I possess a kind heart and perseverance like Mulan, I believe my parents will be proud of me. I see myself in Mulan, which is why it is so dear to me. The film represents many Asian daughters well with the impossible standards as well as enduring sexism.

Before I started college, I was wondering what happened to my financial aid package because nothing appeared. So, I contacted the financial aid specialist, and she told me I was not eligible for financial aid. I was stunned because all of my friends qualified, so how on Earth did I not qualify? As much as I wanted to argue with her, I was left in tears and could not form the words. Ergo, I ended the call and turned to my family and friends for consolation. My mother said I just had to accept the outcome since it was out of my control. My father, on the other hand, was outraged. His friends’ children also qualified for financial aid, allowing them to pay a fraction of the tuition costs, whereas we had to pay in full. This predicament was unfair because I knew I qualified for financial aid. In hopes of finding out why I did not qualify, my father contacted my cousin. Although my cousin made an inference, I did not believe it was adequate to explain my situation. He told us to pay the total price because community college classes are cheaper compared to university classes. The majority of my friends were sorry about that event. One of them told me she was in the same boat. The other one told me he qualified and sent me a photo of his financial aid plan throughout his four years of college. Another told me she qualified, and she used the money to buy a desk. I wished they offered me solutions instead of telling me whether they were eligible or not. Out of all of these responses, my best friend’s response touches me to this day. She sent me a hundred dollars of her refund money because she knew I needed it more than her. I did not even ask her to give me money, but she offered, anyway. I cried tears of joy instead of tears of sadness because it meant so much to me at the time. That action was so kind of her, especially because she voluntarily gave me her money. She could have saved it for herself, given her financial situation, but she chose to let me have it. Later on, I discovered that I was eligible for financial aid, so I let her know. I thought she wanted her funds back, but she told me to keep the money. Again, that touched my heart deeply. There is a reason she is my best friend among my other friends. She is always willing to help me, and I am forever thankful and indebted to her.

The most important lesson I have learned thus far in my STEM studies is to receive help when needed: asking questions during class, reaching out to friends, attending office hours, or seeking tutoring services. College is challenging, but utilizing resources makes a substantial difference in understanding and retaining the material. I struggled the most with my General Biology course, as it was the most rigorous course. The class was hybrid, so I had to comprehend the lecture notes by myself, supplemented with the textbook. The lab portion had introductions, but they were brief. Initially, the assignments were easy for me. However, they started to become difficult, so I turned to the tutoring service for help. The first tutor I consulted was not the best option. Ergo, I switched to another tutor and found another one as a backup to align with my schedule. I asked the other tutor for her email in case I had questions and could not make the sessions. Thankfully, she gave it to me and answered the questions I had. In addition to the tutoring service, I messaged my friend whenever I needed help. Using those tools, I was able to complete my homework with passing scores and receive clarity on concepts. Aside from the General Biology course, I asked multiple questions in my Elementary Statistics class. This was a synchronous course, so we met twice a week for lectures, which gave ample time for questions. Whenever I was confused with the material, I made sure to ask questions, especially for homework. Outside of lectures, I also emailed my professor with homework questions. As a result, I understood the content. With STEM studies, it is crucial to ask for help when needed. It makes all the difference come time for exams.

Transitioning from high school to college is difficult, especially during a pandemic. With COVID-19, in-person activities have been limited, but it has amplified virtual events. Ergo, I learned that I can still be fruitful during a pandemic, even when it is an unprecedented time overflowing with isolation and uncertainty. I joined various programs, attended workshops or bootcamps, won prizes, and started shadowing and volunteering remotely. Best of all, vaccines are in the process of being distributed to help eradicate the virus. However, despite all of my accomplishments and the vaccines, college, the General Election, and selfish people added an unbelievable amount of stress and anxiety. Attending college offers meeting new people, expanding knowledge, and making new memories. I partook in the First-Year Experience (FYE) program, where I can meet other freshmen, gain priority registration, and win prizes. Through answering questions via Menti.com, I was able to make the leaderboard and thus, earn gift cards. Another program I participated in is Southeast Asian American Student Excellence (SEAASE), promoting academic and career progress and seizing opportunities. I attended workshops for exposure to social topics, including immigration and social justice advocacy. I also entered an essay contest to sharpen my writing skills, explaining the importance of voting in the General Election to persuade my colleagues. I was hesitant about joining, thinking it would be futile because I never win such contests, but my friend convinced me and I am glad I listened to her. Ultimately, the judging panel chose my submission and I won the prize. My essay is featured on the EVC Votes page. I experienced multiple triumphs through college. Although college brought me a lot of opportunities, from making new friends to earning prizes, it also gave me a lot of worries. Before the fall semester started, I contacted a financial aid specialist about my package because my friends received theirs with their reduced tuition costs, but I did not. She told me I did not qualify for financial aid, which was absurd. To make matters worse, she was condescending, claiming that I did not understand the process and eligibility to obtain grants. I reached out to other faculty members, but no avail. My father was concerned about his income being insufficient for my tuition, as was I. It turns out, though, that I did qualify for financial aid, so I received my package. Additionally, remote learning made me apprehensive. The quality of education is already subpar compared to in-person learning, which makes understanding and retaining the material harder. To top it all off, my General Biology professor was not as understanding as I had hoped. We ran into a lot of technical difficulties, and the course was primarily independent learning, so I had to review my notes frequently throughout the week. I still maintained a 4.0 GPA in spite of the stress. Throughout this semester, I was relieved about my financial aid and grades. College, while exciting, was stressful during the pandemic. More stressful things include the General Election. It was my sister and me against my family. Our different political perspectives created a lot of controversies. My sister and I had to endure all the fake news they were spreading verbally and via text. I was just trying to study for my exam when they bombarded me with alarming theories. Nevertheless, the outcome of the election was monumental, as the first female person of color was elected as vice president. This demonstrates that change can be made, and I am excited to see more women in authority. Perhaps we will get the first female president soon. When my faith in humanity was restored, it declined rapidly when there were still people not adhering to the stay-at-home order and social distancing with masks guidelines. It is appalling that people remain selfish during a pandemic when thousands of patients are dying alone with no space in hospitals. Even so, I am grateful that the trials for vaccines have been completed, so that healthcare professionals, essential workers, politicians, and the general public can receive their shots. When approximately 75-80% of people become vaccinated, we can reach herd immunity and come out of this pandemic victorious. Reflecting on how COVID-19 has affected my life, I learned how I can balance my classes and extracurricular activities when the world is in chaos because I am capable of achieving whatever I put my mind to: making new friends, maintaining straight A’s, winning an essay contest and other prizes, and gaining volunteer and shadowing hours. Still, many events drained me, including college, the General Election, and the state of the virus given the number of people disobeying regulations and dying. However, with the vaccines, our lives will be back to normal soon.

Transitioning from high school to college is difficult, especially as a first-generation student, but the experiences outside of the classroom make it all worthwhile. With COVID-19, in-person activities have been limited, but it has amplified virtual events. I joined various programs, attended workshops or bootcamps, won prizes, and started shadowing and volunteering remotely. These extracurricular activities add to my social circle, finding like-minded peers, bolster my writing skills, and expand my knowledge of medicine and the world, as I am an aspiring pediatric nurse attending a community college, for financial reasons, to then transfer to a four-year institution. I partook in the First-Year Experience (FYE) program, where I can meet other freshmen, gain priority registration, and win prizes. Through answering questions via Menti.com, I was able to make the leaderboard and thus, earn gift cards. Gaining priority registration guarantees that I receive a spot in a required class so that I can complete my prerequisite courses and general education courses to then transfer to a university. Another program I participated in is Southeast Asian American Student Excellence (SEAASE), promoting academic and career progress and seizing opportunities. I attended workshops for exposure to social topics, including immigration and social justice advocacy. Additionally, I made new friends. I also entered an essay contest to sharpen my writing skills, explaining the importance of voting in the General Election to persuade my colleagues. Ultimately, the judging panel chose my submission and I won the prize. My essay is featured on the EVC Votes page. After subscribing to nurse Christina Rafano’s newsletter, Nursing School of Success, I was invited to a bootcamp outlining three studying mistakes in nursing school. Of course, I attended the bootcamp and took notes on the mistakes so that I do not make them while in nursing school. She offers concepts to focus on instead to make study sessions more effective and to have more free time. It was a brief yet insightful call that will prepare me for nursing school. For shadowing, I visited multiple programs: Club Med, Pre-Health Shadowing, and Virtual Shadowing. From these programs, I receive certifiable shadowing hours through shadowing healthcare professionals in a myriad of specialties. I get to learn about their roles and journeys in medicine. In addition to specialties, Virtual Shadowing covers other topics within medicine, such as burnout, diversity, and COVID-19. Regarding volunteering, I sought many platforms. Club Med offers volunteering opportunities through attending workshops, presenting, writing blogs, and making cards and videos. So far I have only attended the workshops, but I get to learn about organizations, Be The Match and Relay for Life, and health conditions, stress, hypertension, labyrinthitis, and uncombable hair syndrome. To add, I joined Be My Eyes to help blind and low-vision people with tasks and 7 Cups to provide emotional support to people suffering from mental health issues or who want to vent. Speaking of mental health, I began sending letters digitally to Letters to Strangers so that I can help destigmatize mental health through vulnerability in discussing feelings and thoughts. Once I receive five badges, I can attempt the mental health certification test free of charge. Wishing to be a part of the healthcare field, I want to stay educated on all aspects of health, particularly mental health. Furthermore, I learned how to create a no-sew mask, read and applied the ways of combating racism, and practiced recycling on DoSomething.org. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to wear masks, even if it is a no-sew one, remain aware of how racism plays a role in medicine, and be environmentally conscious. To earn more certifications, I enrolled in a multitude of courses to absorb information about health, safety science, and psychology. I received statements of participation after reading about numerous subjects: introducing healthcare improvement, homelessness and need, health and safety in the laboratory and field, factors that influence health, studying medicine bilingually, meeting minority needs, intro to child psychology, care transactions, campaigns and organizations, and active, healthy lifestyles. Best of all, I completed a water safety course with a certificate from the Red Cross, which will aid me in ensuring the safety of children in the water when I become a pediatric nurse. Although engaging in in-person activities outside of the classroom is hard in the middle of a pandemic, an abundance of virtual activities have emerged, keeping me fruitful as I stay indoors. I thought I would be at a disadvantage with my lack of hospital volunteering hours or experience as a certified nursing assistant or scribe, but I discovered unconventional remote methods that still provide knowledge and experience as an aspiring pediatric nurse. Many programs and courses gave me shadowing and volunteer hours along with certifications and workshops so that I can be informed of the pathways and specialties to medicine as well as about social issues. Plus, I gained insight on structuring my study sessions in nursing school through a bootcamp from the nursing newsletter. More ways I was involved in health-related organizations include Be My Eyes: sight assistance, 7 Cups: emotional support and therapy, and Letters to Strangers: awareness on mental health. I also got to earn prizes through more programs and an essay contest. With the essay contest, I was able to indulge in my hobby and simultaneously enhance my writing skills. Moreover, I met more people who are in the same boat as me.

Growing up as a Vietnamese-American who neglected to speak Vietnamese after learning English and primarily speaking it at school and elsewhere besides home, the language barrier between my mother and me was a massive hindrance. I remember incessantly being frustrated that I was unable to translate my coherent thoughts in English to Vietnamese with my limited vocabulary so that my mother could understand me. I also remember resenting my mother for not knowing English like my father because it was more effort on my part to communicate with her. Along with the language barrier, I had to translate for her at the mall and during school conferences, which was annoying. Given my lack of Vietnamese proficiency, my mother sent me to Vietnamese school, and I abhorred it. Now, I owe my bilingualism to her, and I am grateful to speak my mother tongue to my people. Despite Vietnamese being my first language, it was not used anywhere besides at home, so I never spoke it much, which deteriorated my bilingualism. I thought that Vietnamese was a useless language and that I only needed English because of school and work. Ergo, attending Vietnamese school was three hours of weekly torture. I had difficulties with speaking, reading, and writing Vietnamese, telling my mother I wanted to give up. However, I persevered for five years and came out of it knowing how to read and write in Vietnamese and ameliorating my speaking. With these acquired skills, I was able to help the library customers with services, translating and instructing them, as a mere volunteer. Aside from assisting library customers, I got to connect with several adults and elders. We talked about various subjects: their children or grandchildren, elementary school, Vietnamese school, and more. While I enjoyed tutoring the children, I also enjoyed conversing with their parents and grandparents about their progress and experiences. It was a pleasure to help the students with homework and chat with their support systems to ensure they receive the best resources for their education and success. Outside of the library, I realize the importance of knowing Vietnamese within my family and friends. Even though most of my family members are bilingual, some do not know English well like my mother. If I did not go to Vietnamese school, I would not have been able to help and talk to people in my community, much less people in my family. My family in Vietnam does not speak English, so when I visited them, speaking primarily Vietnamese was tough because I had to solely rely on my prior knowledge. Those five years of Vietnamese school paid off, though, and my Vietnam trip bolstered my speaking skills and made me more confident in talking to strangers in Vietnamese. As for my friends, it is nice being able to understand their jokes and embrace our culture. My mother made a gratifying decision by enrolling me in Vietnamese school. Being an Asian-American is challenging, straddling two different cultures, especially with language. Most of us do not feel as if we are Asian enough or American enough, so assimilating in those cultures did not have harmony. As a Vietnamese-American, I prioritized learning English over Vietnamese, which was evident when I had altercations with my mother because of the language barrier. Currently, I can express my thoughts and simultaneously understand my mother’s point of view. Moreover, translating is not an issue because I know more terms. I have so much pride in being bilingual because I can help my community.

An artist I greatly admire is Wendy from the K-Pop group Red Velvet. I also consider her my role model. Her passion has always been to become a singer, starting at the age of five. She has loved music since she was young because her parents are also music lovers. Wendy has encountered many barriers since moving to Canada from South Korea in fifth grade, auditioning for Korean entertainment companies, becoming a trainee and practicing for hours on end, debuting, constantly performing, recording songs, and collaborating with singers. She inspires me to push through the obstacles, work hard, and to remain positive while I am in college as I am on the nursing path. Even though she had trouble learning English in Canada, she still studied well and became fluent. I know that there will be some challenging nursing courses and practice clinicals, but I also know that as long as I persist in studying, I, too, will become fluent in the knowledge and experience. She is immensely talented—she was a member of her choir with the position of a soprano. Although she has a beautiful voice, Cube Entertainment rejected her. Despite this, she strived to join SM Entertainment, the best company, and debuted with Red Velvet as the main vocalist, demonstrating how we will end up where we were meant to thrive. I take that sentiment wholeheartedly as I did not get accepted to my dream university, but perhaps I will after a transferee. Either way, a BSN degree is valid from any university I graduate from. While she was a trainee, she considered quitting on several occasions, incessantly doubting herself, especially wondering if she can even debut because it is not guaranteed. In spite of that, she persevered with the song that motivates her entitled, “Who You Are,” sung by her idol Jessie J. I find comfort in the lyrics emphasizing the importance of staying true to who you are and following your heart, so it will drive me to understand my limits as a nursing student and still be tenacious in achieving my career goal. After debuting, she was met with ruthless scrutiny from the public and the entertainment industry regarding her weight gain. She was even fatally injured from a fall, sustaining fractures in her right pelvis and wrist and face. However, that did not stop her from singing. She chooses to be optimistic in the worst circumstances and reminds us that she will not be going anywhere, but always singing next to us as Wendy. I want to adopt the same mindset while I am in the nursing program. Wendy has influenced me to achieve my dreams, no matter what it takes. She has shaped me to adopt a positive, growth mindset and to reach for the stars. There will be tough times and uncertainty, but that will never cease to stop me from moving towards my aspiration of being a pediatric nurse after obtaining my AS-T from a community college and transferring to a four-year university to then obtain my BSN and pass the NCLEX. Once I become a pediatric nurse, I can ensure the health and well-being of children are exceptional. Besides having an impact on the pediatric population, I want to take care of my ailing grandmother and the rest of my family members when they are ill with the knowledge and experience I acquire.

A woman in STEM whom I admire is nurse Clara Barton: the founder of the American Red Cross. Although she never received education about nursing, she learned to provide care, anyway, and taught others. What I hope to achieve in STEM might not be as prominent as Clara Barton founding the Red Cross and, but it will be impactful within my community as an aspiring pediatric nurse. I wish to make my young patients’ experiences bearable at a clinic or hospital because I know how it feels to have a fear of needles. After growing out of that fear, I can help children face it head-on. Moreover, I dream that I make a difference in their lives, encouraging them to pursue their dreams, especially within the healthcare field. When I become a pediatric nurse, I cannot wait for the interactive portion of in-patient care, building strong bonds with my patients and teaching them about care, similar to Clara Barton.

Although I aspire to become a pediatric nurse, I have always enjoyed reading and writing as a hobby, despite not wanting to pursue a career out of it. Nevertheless, I wish to cultivate my writing skills in any medium. After years of reading countless Young Adult novels and writing fanfiction on Wattpad, I would love to be able to become a journalist or author as a side job to keep my passions. At the moment, I am vehement about starting a blog about my nursing journey: taking prerequisite courses at a community college, tips on studying for core science subjects, and partaking in extracurricular activities. This grant will help me learn how to build my blog, making it visually appealing with engaging content for other nursing students who want to follow my journey and join me as future healthcare professionals.

Growing up, I have always possessed low self-esteem, and while I still battle it today, I make sure to counter it with positive affirmations with the help of my mother and best friend. Academically speaking, I am very hard on myself, incessantly expecting perfection and comparing myself to my peers’ success, and it took me months after high school to realize and accept that doing the best I could is sufficient and all my mom could ever ask for. I value my education immensely, even when it does take a toll on my mental health. Aside from school, I struggled to love myself because I also frequently envied the beauty of other girls, feeling insecure about my appearance. However, after reflecting on the four years of high school I endured, I know that I am beautiful, externally and internally, smart, and capable of doing anything I desire as long as I persevere. Thus, believing in this epiphany shapes my previous fixed mindset into a growth mindset, allowing me to earnestly share my triumphs and tragedies with my friends and family members, as well as push me to become a pediatric nurse. As I am taking my prerequisite courses for nursing, I will remember the experiences that have molded me into the confident and proud student that I am. I will continue to be diligent in studying and seek opportunities that will benefit me as I embark on my nursing journey, bringing my beliefs, relationships, and aspirations along the way to nursing school. I am happy to say that after several years, I finally love myself and the future nurse I will be.

Attached is my essay entry for the Evergreen Valley College Votes Contest explaining the importance of voting in the 2020 General Election. Initially, I was reluctant about entering the contest, doubting my writing skills. However, I decided to be bold and apply, anyway. Fortunately, the judging panel in the EVC Votes Civic Engagement Steering Committee selected my submission, as they found it the most persuasive. I am featured on the EVC Votes page, which is also attached and is my most notable achievement.

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it,” asserts Marian Wright Edelman. Simply put, education is the future. My mother did not get to complete elementary school in Vietnam, nor did she get to attend college in America after she immigrated. My father, on the other hand, attended high school and community college in America after he immigrated, wishing he could transfer to a four-year institution. As a first-generation college student with immigrant parents, I am blessed to have the opportunity to further my education so that I can bring change to the world. Aspiring to become a pediatric nurse after I obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), I hope to maintain the health of children. On the topic of aspirations, I know my peers are capable of making an impact, too, with their degrees. In the following years, the world will be supplied with more doctors, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, engineers, educators, dentists, accountants, politicians, psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, cosmetologists, librarians, and more eminent roles. College will provide me the knowledge and experience necessary for a profession in the medical field; college will teach me critical thinking skills so that I can analyze and think fast; college will shape my mind to think about the world differently in the way it operates; college is the bridge toward my bright future; college will bring my family and me prosperity. Education does matter, to my parents and me, and it plays a significant role in my life.

What started as a mere acquaintance and classmate relationship blossomed into a long-lasting friendship. Six years strong, my best friend is whom I am thankful for as I navigate through life. Despite attending different high schools and now colleges, we have maintained an indestructible bond. Not a day goes by where I do not think about how she has shaped me into a confident, outspoken person. As a reserved girl, it is difficult for me to befriend people I could trust. Even with my flaws my best friend is understanding. I no longer worry about being a burden to people by sharing my problems. Additionally, she always brings a smile to my face. Her laugh is infectious. As you can see in the photo, we are cackling our heads off, and you can vicariously feel the pain in our stomachs as tears form. We do not have many photos together, but I adore this image because it captures our connection as soulmates. I live for our calls because when we are unable to keep in touch in person, we can do so virtually, and it feels the same, even with the distance. Equally significant, she revises and proofreads my essays, particularly my scholarship essays, and she was willing to give me some of her financial aid money when there was a delay with my package. A friend who cares about your success, especially in mitigating college expenses, is rare, so that is why she is an important part of my life.

I check my email after seeing a notification. Thinking it is spam, I take my time. On the contrary, the subject line reads: “EVC Votes Essay Contest: Congratulations!” I read it again. Somehow, I cannot process the line. Scanning the email, I realize it is legit and that I did win. I do a double-take; I scream with joy as I read the email in depth. Then, I announce the news to my mother. For the first time in my life, I won something through my hard work and not solely by luck. As much as I love reading and writing and consider myself a good writer, never did I deem my craft was worthy enough to be chosen by a judging panel. Of all the times I did enter contests or applied for essay scholarships, I was never picked as a winner. However, that never stopped me from submitting an entry, anyway. And it finally paid off when I received the congratulatory email. This achievement taught me that I am capable of winning or earning anything if I persist; in the future, I hope to achieve my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN after I gain admission into the nursing program of my choice. Initially, I did not plan on entering the essay contest. I thought that even if I did try, I would not win because I never win anything. The pessimistic, fixed mindset I possessed along with the moment of hesitation could have cost me this achievement. Fortunately, my friends suggested that I should attempt the contest and believed that I would win. So, I submitted my entry, and I am glad I did, for I learned that I must have the courage to grow from my failures. No matter how daunting a challenge may be, even if the outcomes are unlikely, there is a chance of success. And before I consider the outcomes, I must attempt the trials and believe in myself because anything is possible if I persevere. I will carry this lesson through the achievement with me to nursing school as I navigate the mistakes I will inexorably make. Nothing in life is easy; you have to work for it, and you must have grit and determination. When one opportunity fails, try again and keep trying until you become successful. I will no longer doubt my abilities as a writer or nurse. Now I possess a growth mindset, as I dare to grow from my errors. If I can win an essay contest after months of writing essays and never getting chosen as a winner, then I can tackle clinical practices and tests at nursing school to then acquire my BSN degree. Ultimately, I can tackle the NCLEX-RN to become a registered pediatric nurse. I realize that the length of the journey is not as important as the destination. Although I lost many essay contests and scholarships, the practice enhanced my writing so that I could win the essay contest. I will apply this to nursing school as the practice from clinicals and tests will prepare me for the NCLEX-RN.

Although failures are an inexorable aspect of life, overcoming those adversities was challenging when it came to enduring my lack of dexterity and driving anxiety. I have always been more of a critical thinker rather than a hands-on person. As a primarily visual and auditory learner, I find reviewing my notes and book most engaging for me to absorb the material. This method worked best for me to prepare for exams. However, some tasks require more than reading, involving my weakness in adeptness, namely taking blood pressures, performing CPR and first aid, and driving, which will be vital to my nursing dream. I will never forget when I passed the blood pressure written exam but failed the practical exam during my junior year of high school. Even with sufficient practice, I made a mistake that caused an inaccurate reading of my teacher’s blood pressure, resulting in a fail. I left the class in tears, ashamed of my lack of dexterity. Consequently, I doubted my skills as a nurse. Nevertheless, I persevered! My mom reassured me that it is acceptable to fail when you are learning, so I kept practicing, asking my peers for advice. With their guidance, I was prepared to take the practical exam again. My effort paid off because I will also never forget the immense joy I received when I passed my practical, earning my certification card with my name. From there, I thought I could tackle the CPR and first aid practical. Unfortunately, I failed on the first try, but that did not stop me from learning from my mistakes to pass on the second try. I knew that if I could earn my blood pressure certification, then I could definitely earn my CPR and first aid certification. Outside of the classroom, I started learning how to drive in my senior year. Indubitably, I struggled on the first day with my instructor. Every step of driving overwhelmed me, from the pressing on the gas pedal to maintain a steady speed to looking at the window before turning the wheel. It did not help that my instructor was extremely harsh on me, despite possessing driving anxiety. Again, tears streamed down my face once I left the instructor’s car. Having vented to my mother, my social support system, she assured me that it is okay to struggle with driving because she, too, was scolded by her instructor. My mother gives me a lot of hope, as she was capable of getting her license, so I can as well! In addition to my mother’s assurance, my father gave me supplemental lessons for more practice. Little by little, I learned how to control the gas pedal and wheel. He made me focus on one component at a time so that I could perfect it before I could readily apply all safety parameters without being inundated. When it came time to meet with the instructor, he acknowledged my improvement, thinking he had helped me, but my father was the true instructor. With these hardships in mind, I learned that practice does make perfect and there is always room for improvement. I fail one part; I pass it with another attempt. The cycle repeats, but repetition is essential for retention. My certification and driving failures taught me my weaknesses in hands-on duties. These experiences redirected me to possess a growth mindset, understanding that failure is part of the process. Moreover, it influenced me to strive for becoming a nurse. If I can handle failing practical exams, then I can handle anything in nursing school, especially clinical practices. As I attend my driving lessons and nursing school, I will keep that noted. Driving will be a privilege for me to be able to commute to my workplace, a hospital, as a nurse. I will continue to strive through the obstacles and believe in myself to become a nurse who can drive, with the guidance of my parents.

As an aspiring nurse, I enrolled in the Medical Magnet Academy at my high school. I was required to take certain medical-related courses; in particular, I took physiology during my junior year. Learning about the anatomical structures was fun for me, but when it came to the second semester, I had to do more than study from my notes. I was given the opportunity to get certified in taking blood pressure. I will never forget when I passed the blood pressure written exam but failed the practical exam during my junior year of high school. Even with sufficient practice, I made a mistake that caused an inaccurate reading of my teacher’s blood pressure, resulting in a fail. I left the class in tears, ashamed of my lack of dexterity. Consequently, I doubted my skills as a nurse. Nevertheless, I persevered! My mom reassured me that it is acceptable to fail when you are learning, so I kept practicing, asking my peers for advice. With their guidance, I was prepared to take the practical exam again. My effort paid off because I will also never forget the immense joy I received when I passed my practical, earning my certification card with my name. My first certification failure taught me my weaknesses in hands-on duties. More importantly, it taught me that practice makes perfect and that there is always room for improvement. I fail one part; I pass it with another attempt. The cycle repeats, but repetition is essential for retention. This experience redirected me to possess a growth mindset, understanding that failure is part of the process. Moreover, it influenced me to strive for becoming a nurse. If I can handle failing practical exams, then I can handle anything in nursing school, especially clinical practices.

Now that I stay at home every day, my exercise that has regularly come from walking across campus and going up and down the stairs is now solely walking and dancing. During the summertime, I was able to dance at least 30 minutes to an hour daily, but now that I am occupied with school, I aim for 30 minutes three times a week. In addition to dancing, I like to walk for about a mile. By staying fit, I noticed how my stress is alleviated through the increase of endorphins and oxytocin, and I gain more flexibility. After an overwhelming day of school and homework, I like to wind down with dancing, as I rely on the music to guide my body’s movement. Music is a great stress-reliever, and I enjoy following a Korean pop dance practice video while I mirror the steps. Aside from dance practice videos, I like to watch dance studios present their choreography. Dancing distracts me from being anxious about the future. Simultaneously, I get to break a sweat and keep my heart rate up. Besides dancing reducing my stress, I was able to get my splits after a couple of months. As much as I stretched, I was struggling with doing the splits. However, once I stopped stretching and primarily danced, the splits came naturally to me. Dancing enhanced my flexibility significantly. It is no wonder that most dancers are pliable. In regards to walking as a form of exercise, I appreciate how serene I feel with every footstep. Although dancing inhibits my stress more, I love taking a walk to clear my mind. Inhaling the fresh air is beyond relaxing. Even though the pandemic has hindered my opportunity to engage in more physical activity at school, I can still get some exercise at home through dancing and walking. Dancing has not only dissipated my stress, but it has also contributed to helping me get my splits and improve my flexibility, while walking allows me to enjoy the present time along with nature.

My playlist entails songs about best friends and the meaning of friendship. The lyrics embody my best friend, who inspires me every day to persevere. She has been by my side, every step of the way, to listen to my problems and help me overcome obstacles. Just as I can rely on her, she can tell me everything on her mind—I am all ears. I look forward to our future, accomplishing our dreams together, as we promise each other that we will remain best friends through thick and thin. My only friend in this world, she is my soulmate.

After months of crafting my personal statements and finally submitting my college applications, I logged into my UC Irvine portal, hoping for an acceptance. I crossed my fingers as I waited for the news. To my dismay, I was rejected by my dream school. Despite my low SAT score, I thought my GPA, extracurricular activities, and essays were sufficient indicators that I was a good prospect for their school. Unfortunately, I was wrong, and while I was devastated, pondering my worth, I assessed this circumstance as a sign that I will thrive elsewhere. Now, I am attending a community college to then transfer to a four-year institution. In the long run, I am saving thousands of dollars in tuition and other expenses. If anything, I am thankful for the rejection because I can redirect myself to a financially smart college career. Although I was accepted to other schools, I did not see myself attending anywhere but UC Irvine. Those schools were my safety nets, and I wanted to get admitted into a more selective school, despite the challenge. However, as much as my parents and I wanted for me to go straight into university, it just was not financially viable. In that sense, I applied to a community college as a backup plan, even if I was adamant about going to a four-year college. By the time Decision Day rolled around, I was pleased to have decided on community college. Before, I would envy my peers who got into my dream school, or any school of their choice, but I knew that at the moment, it just was not my time. In spite of the stigma behind community college, I found that it was the best choice for me in terms of commuting and money. The universities I applied to are 2-6 hours away from home, and knowing myself, I was positive that I would get homesick. As for the money, university expenses are ludicrously expensive. While financial aid does cover some of the expenses, it is not enough, especially because I am not employed and my dad is the sole provider for the family. Given those factors, community college was the best option for me. Currently, I am enjoying my remote experience with community college. My financial aid covers the rest of my tuition for the remaining two years. Essentially, I am getting paid to go to school. I also won an Amazon gift card from a program. Additionally, the program offers me priority registration, so I can register for my classes early and never worry about being placed on the waitlist. The classes are not impacted; the student-to-teacher ratio is similar to my high school classes, which I prefer. Moreover, booking appointments for financial advising or generating an educational plan is convenient, as the staff members are readily available for assistance. Best of all, I like my professors and how they conduct their online courses. Furthermore, I have made new friends in my classes and we help each other on homework. When I am still struggling with an assignment, there is a tutoring service I can utilize, and I do—weekly. The tutors consist of students and professors from the college with a specific schedule. In addition, there are tutors outside of the college, free 24/7. The tutors I contact are nice and always eager to help me. Aside from the tutoring service, I can employ the loaner laptop and textbook rental services if needed, ergo I can have all the resources to be successful. The faculty members wish the students the best to be able to transfer to a university, and the education is just as good as a university’s education with half the price. I thought getting rejected from UC Irvine was the end of my dream. In reality, it redirected me to a bigger and better opportunity: saving money while receiving the same education as my peers. So, thank you UC Irvine for rejecting me and leading me to community college. I cannot imagine how much stress I would endure with tuition and getting a spot in a class. Subsequent to the rejection letter, I was lost, but now I am found, loving every step of my community college journey.

Although failures are an inexorable aspect of life, overcoming those adversities was challenging when it came to enduring my lack of dexterity and driving anxiety. I have always been more of a critical thinker rather than a hands-on person. As a primarily visual and auditory learner, I find reviewing my notes and book most engaging for me to absorb the material. This method worked best for me to prepare for exams. However, some tasks require more than reading, involving my weakness in adeptness, namely taking blood pressures, performing CPR and first aid, and driving, which will be vital to my nursing dream. I will never forget when I passed the blood pressure written exam but failed the practical exam during my junior year of high school. Even with sufficient practice, I made a mistake that caused an inaccurate reading of my teacher’s blood pressure, resulting in a fail. I left the class in tears, ashamed of my lack of dexterity. Consequently, I doubted my skills as a nurse. Nevertheless, I persevered! My mom reassured me that it is acceptable to fail when you are learning, so I kept practicing, asking my peers for advice. With their guidance, I was prepared to take the practical exam again. My effort paid off because I will also never forget the immense joy I received when I passed my practical, earning my certification card with my name. From there, I thought I could tackle the CPR and first aid practical. Unfortunately, I failed on the first try, but that did not stop me from learning from my mistakes to pass on the second try. I knew that if I could earn my blood pressure certification, then I could definitely earn my CPR and first aid certification. Outside of the classroom, I started learning how to drive in my senior year. Indubitably, I struggled on the first day with my instructor. Every step of driving overwhelmed me, from the pressing on the gas pedal to maintain a steady speed to looking at the window before turning the wheel. It did not help that my instructor was extremely harsh on me, despite possessing driving anxiety. Again, tears streamed down my face once I left the instructor’s car. Having vented to my mother, my social support system, she assured me that it is okay to struggle with driving because she, too, was scolded by her instructor. My mother gives me a lot of hope, as she was capable of getting her license, so I can as well! In addition to my mother’s assurance, my father gave me supplemental lessons for more practice. Little by little, I learned how to control the gas pedal and wheel. He made me focus on one component at a time so that I could perfect it before I could readily apply all safety parameters without being inundated. When it came time to meet with the instructor, he acknowledged my improvement, thinking he had helped me, but my father was the true instructor. With these hardships in mind, I learned that practice does make perfect. I fail one part; I pass it with another attempt. The cycle repeats, but repetition is essential for retention. As I attend my driving lessons and nursing school, I will keep that noted. Driving will be a privilege for me to be able to commute to my workplace, a hospital, as a nurse. I will continue to strive through the obstacles and believe in myself to become a nurse who can drive, with the guidance of my parents.

As an aspiring nurse, I enrolled in the Medical Magnet Academy at my high school. I was required to take certain medical-related courses; in particular, I took physiology during my junior year. Learning about the anatomical structures was fun for me, but when it came to the second semester, I had to do more than study from my notes. I was given two opportunities to get certified in taking blood pressure and performing CPR and first aid. I will never forget when I passed the blood pressure written exam but failed the practical exam. Even with sufficient practice, I made a mistake that caused an inaccurate reading of my teacher’s blood pressure, resulting in a fail. I left the class in tears, ashamed of my lack of dexterity. Consequently, I doubted my skills as a nurse. However, I persevered. My mom reassured me that it is acceptable to fail when you are learning, so I kept practicing, asking my peers for advice. With their guidance, I was prepared to take the practical exam again. My effort paid off because I will also never forget the immense joy I received when I passed my practical, earning my certification card with my name. From there, I thought I could tackle the CPR and first aid practical. Unfortunately, I failed on the first try, but that did not stop me from learning from my mistakes to pass on the second try. I knew that if I could earn my blood pressure certification, then I could definitely earn my CPR and first aid certification. My first certification failure taught me my weaknesses in hands-on duties. More importantly, it taught me that practice makes perfect and that there is always room for improvement. This experience redirected me to possess a growth mindset, understanding that failure is part of the process. Moreover, it influenced me to strive for becoming a nurse. If I can handle failing practical exams, then I handle anything in nursing school, namely the clinical practices.

During my freshman year of high school, I joined the Medical Magnet Program and teensReach Program. Initially, I was adamant about not becoming a part of the medical field, thinking I had no possibility of success as a healthcare professional. However, as the years progressed, I learned my interest in helping children and experienced hands-on what it means to be a part of the medical field through the mass-casualty incident drills and a physiology course, which fueled my passion as a pediatric nurse. In my junior year, I was a first responder, enforcing the triage system to assess the patients’ need for care. In comparison to the previous years, this was the most stressful task I had been assigned. During my freshman year, I was merely a patient, whereas in my sophomore year, I was a medical supply distributor. With my role as a first responder, I determined where each patient should be located by tagging them as green, yellow, red, or black after assessing their vitals in a matter of 30 seconds, which was a lot of pressure. I was overwhelmed by the number of people and the time crunch in which I had to triage. Nonetheless, I gained experience in working under pressure when assessing patients. Although I wanted to save everyone, that would not have been realistic. Ultimately, I learned the philosophy of the greatest good for the greatest number. Additionally, my fondness of children was exemplified since I enjoyed assessing the vitals of the patients that were freshmen. Therefore, I wish to pursue a career in pediatrics. Apart from the Medical Magnet Program, I volunteered for the teensReach program, helping primarily children. My most significant role in interacting with children was volunteering for the Homework Club every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The Homework Club also taught me that I am fond of children and that I want to pursue a career involving them. In particular, one interaction with a child formed that epiphany. During each of the aforementioned days, I saw a kindergartner attend, eager to complete her homework. And little did I know, she became my favorite child to interact with. For every session I volunteered for, she came to me for questions regarding the homework. Besides helping her with the assignments, I also ensured she was comfortable in the environment. Because of her height, the chairs were not big enough for her to reach the table. I got two large books and placed them on the seat, followed by carrying her on top of the books, which acted as a booster seat. From there, I poured her a cup of lemonade that was already available in the room whenever she was longing for a drink. Along with interacting with the child, I got to engage with her mother and grandmother. They were grateful that I continually checked her homework to make sure she was getting the material right. As a result of taking a physiology course during my junior year, my ambition for nursing deepened. I learned how to administer intravenous fluids, take blood pressure, and execute CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Administering intravenous fluids and taking blood pressures are crucial skills for nursing. Moreover, I got certified in taking blood pressure and performing CPR, which was the time I was proud of myself that is representative of my ability as a nurse. Similar to the interactive aspect of volunteering with children, I realized that I loved the more interactive aspect of nursing, tracking the development and growth of children, taking blood pressure, and administering fluids. Furthermore, I want to continue to be of service to my community as an aspiring pediatric nurse. After taking advantage of the Medical Magnet Program, I discovered my passion for healthcare, wanting to save lives, from my like-minded peers, courses, and mass-casualty drills. The Homework Club also reinforced how much I enjoy spending time with children. Combining the two, I know what drives me and why I want to pursue a nursing degree.

An artist I greatly admire is Wendy from the K-Pop group Red Velvet. I also consider her my role model. Her passion has always been to become a singer, starting at the age of five. She has loved music since she was young because her parents are also music lovers. Wendy has encountered many barriers since moving to Canada from South Korea in fifth grade, auditioning for Korean entertainment companies, becoming a trainee and practicing for hours on end, debuting, constantly performing, recording songs, and collaborating with singers. She inspires me to push through the obstacles, work hard, and to remain positive while I am in college as I am on the nursing path. Even though she had trouble learning English in Canada, she still studied well and became fluent. I know that there will be some challenging nursing courses and practice clinicals, but I also know that as long as I persist in studying, I, too, will become fluent in the knowledge and experience. She is immensely talented—she was a member of her choir with the position of a soprano. Although she has a beautiful voice, Cube Entertainment rejected her. Despite this, she strived to join SM Entertainment, the best company, and debuted with Red Velvet as the main vocalist, demonstrating how we will end up where we were meant to thrive. I take that sentiment wholeheartedly as I did not get accepted to my dream university, but perhaps I will after a transferee. Either way, a BSN degree is valid from any university I graduate from. While she was a trainee, she considered quitting on several occasions, incessantly doubting herself, especially wondering if she can even debut because it is not guaranteed. In spite of that, she persevered with the song that motivates her entitled, “Who You Are,” sung by her idol Jessie J. I find comfort in the lyrics emphasizing the importance of staying true to who you are and following your heart, so it will drive me to understand my limits as a nursing student and still be tenacious in achieving my career goal. After debuting, she was met with ruthless scrutiny from the public and the entertainment industry regarding her weight gain. She was even fatally injured from a fall, sustaining fractures in her right pelvis and wrist and face. However, that did not stop her from singing. She chooses to be optimistic in the worst circumstances and reminds us that she will not be going anywhere, but always singing next to us as Wendy. I want to adopt the same mindset while I am in the nursing program. Wendy has influenced me to achieve my dreams, no matter what it takes. She has shaped me to adopt a positive, growth mindset and to reach for the stars. There will be tough times and uncertainty, but that will never cease to stop me from moving me towards my aspiration of being a pediatric nurse after obtaining my AS-T from a community college and transferring to a four-year university to then obtain my BSN and pass the NCLEX.