When I was in elementary school, I started to develop serious mental health problems due to bullying. I was tormented due to my weight by my classmates, and I felt alone with no one to turn to. I decided I needed help and went to my school's guidance counselor. Although I was nervous, I knew that talking to someone would help. Talking to her instantly relieved me because she showed me so much kindness and gave me a safe space in her office. She gave me so much comfort after feeling isolated for so long. Without her, my problems would have continued to worsen and would have had a negative impact on my education and development. Over the years, we created a close bond that I still remember and carry with me. In my junior year of high school, I developed a severe panic disorder and anxiety that made me unable to leave my house for two weeks. When this problem negatively affected my education, I contacted my guidance counselor for help. Like my elementary school guidance counselor, he provided me with a safe space and comfort. He calmed me during panic attacks and never let me slip through the crack, both educationally and mentally. Without him, I would not have been able to overcome my anxiety and complete my junior year. He went out of his way to check up on me to ensure that I was always moving in the right direction and pushing myself to heal. A few months after his guidance I was able to overcome my anxiety and push through my struggles to continue my education. Although it was a long and difficult journey, I felt confident in myself because he provided me with such immense support that I can overcome any obstacle I face. Without the immense support from my guidance counselor, I would not be nearly as successful as I am today. These two people inspired me to put myself in the position to help students create the future they have dreamed of. I plan to become a guidance counselor because I want to support students who face issues similar to mine or any challenges they may face. Many students do not have the resources to have a therapist or don't have anyone at home they can trust. All students deserve someone to guide them through any challenges they face in their adolescence. The connections I created with my counselors improved my life, and I want to be there for those who may feel lost and alone as I did. Counselors are critical in guiding students, especially when they don't have a support system at home. Every successful person is who they are today because of their education that would not be as valuable without a guidance counselor to prevent them from slipping through the cracks. Guidance is the key to success and I want all students to be given the opportunity to follow their dreams no matter what obstacles they face along the way. A good guidance counselor can change a student's life for the better and put them on the right track for success. As someone who has faced bullying and mental health issues, I have learned a greater sense of compassion for others. Without the compassion of my loved ones and counselors, I would not be the person I am today. They pushed me to be my best self and provided immense support throughout my journey to recovery. Due to my struggles, I always make a point of looking for the good in everyone. Many people were not as fortunate as I was to receive help, and a compassionate friend, classmate, or even stranger can make a world of difference in someone's journey in recovery.

When I was in elementary school, I started to develop serious mental health problems due to bullying. I was tormented due to my weight by my classmates, and I felt alone with no one to turn to. I decided I needed help and went to my school's guidance counselor. Although I was nervous, I knew that talking to someone would help. Talking to her instantly relieved me because she showed me so much kindness and gave me a safe space in her office. She gave me so much comfort after feeling isolated for so long. Without her, my problems would have continued to worsen and would have hurt my education and development. Over the years, we created a close bond that I still remember and carry. In my junior year of high school, I developed a severe panic disorder and anxiety that made me unable to leave my house for two weeks. When this problem negatively affected my education, I contacted my guidance counselor for help. Like my elementary school guidance counselor, he provided me with a safe space and comfort. He calmed me during panic attacks and never let me slip through the crack, both educationally and mentally. Without him, I would not have been able to overcome my anxiety and complete my junior year. He went out of his way to check on me to ensure I was always moving in the right direction and pushing myself to heal. A few months after his guidance, I was able to overcome my anxiety and push through my struggles to continue my education. Although it was a long and challenging journey, I felt confident in myself because he provided me with such immense support that I could overcome any obstacle. Without the tremendous support from my guidance counselor, I would not be nearly as successful as I am today. These two people inspired me to put myself in the position to help students create the future they have dreamed of. I plan to become a guidance counselor to support students who face issues similar to mine or any challenges they may face. Many students do not have the resources to have a therapist or don't have anyone at home they can trust. All students deserve someone to guide them through any challenges they face in their adolescence. The connections I created with my counselors improved my life, and I want to be there for those who may feel lost and alone as I did. Counselors are critical in guiding students, especially when they don't have a support system at home. Every successful person is who they are today because of their education, which would not be as valuable without a guidance counselor to prevent them from slipping through the cracks. Guidance is the key to success, and I want all students to be given the opportunity to follow their dreams no matter what obstacles they face along the way. A good guidance counselor can change a student's life for the better and put them on the right track for success.

When I was in elementary school, I started to develop serious mental health problems due to bullying. I was tormented due to my weight by my classmates, and I felt alone with no one to turn to. I decided I needed help and went to my school's guidance counselor. Although I was nervous, I knew that talking to someone would help. Talking to her instantly relieved me because she showed me so much kindness and gave me a safe space in her office. She gave me so much comfort after feeling isolated for so long. Over the years, we created a fantastic bond that I still remember and carry with me. In my junior year of high school, I developed severe anxiety that made me unable even to leave my house for two weeks. When this problem negatively affected my education, I contacted my guidance counselor for help. Like my elementary school guidance counselor, he provided me with a safe space and comfort. He calmed me during panic attacks and never let me slip through the crack, both educationally and mentally. Without him, I would not have been able to overcome my anxiety and complete my junior year. He went out of his way to check up on me to ensure that I was always moving in the right direction and pushing myself to heal; without the immense support from my guidance counselor, I would not be nearly as successful as I am today. These two people inspired me to put myself in the position to help students create the future they have dreamed of. I plan to become a guidance counselor because I want to support students who face issues similar to mine or any challenges they may face. Many students do not have the resources to have a therapist or don't have anyone at home they can trust. All students deserve someone to guide them through any challenges they face in their adolescence. The connections I created with my counselors improved my life, and I want to be there for those who may feel lost and alone as I did. Counselors are critical in guiding students, especially when they don't have a support system at home. Every successful person is who they are today because of their education that would not be as valuable without a guidance counselor to prevent them from slipping through the cracks. Guidance is the key to success and I want all students to be given the opportunity to follow their dreams no matter what obstacles they face along the way. A good guidance counselor can change a student's life for the better and put them on the right track for success. I plan to attend The college of New Jersey as a psychology major, then earn my masters in school counseling. With this education, I will dedicate my life to making sure every student is taken care of both academically and mentally, and will never feel hopeless forgotten.