My path to achieving my undergraduate degree was not easy. I was confronted with personal struggles that made a degree seem unreachable. It took seven years to complete my associate’s degree because I struggled just trying to survive. I was admitted into treatment facilities on multiple occasions due to severe eating disorders, depression, and anxiety, and this is the battle which ultimately made my education suffer. Today, I am over two years into my recovery and I achieved my undergraduate degree with a 3.84 GPA in Organizational Leadership in December 2021. I always thought one day I will be able to say, "I'm recovered". I learned over time and through many relapses that recovery will never be past tense. Recovery is lifelong and I will always be working towards a better life every day. I would be lying if I said I was not scared. Looking at my comeback is the most powerful reminder to stay the course. The hardest part about recovery is remembering. Remembering those nights when I felt so hopeless; remembering the unexplainable pain that was never ending; the pain that ran so deep. However, remembering those nights save me from going back to living that way. Because of my recovery, I can have a hopeful future. I am now accepted into a Master's program and applying to many more schools. I have a dream of achieving my PhD in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University after I earn my Master's degree. I want to be living proof to those suffering that recovery is possible. Believing that recovery is possible can feel unrealistic, but if you see it first hand I believe people will start to see hope. Something I try to think of often is, "maybe I won't get better, but then again, maybe I will".

My path to achieving my undergraduate degree was not easy. I was confronted with personal struggles that made a degree seem unreachable. It took seven years to complete my associate’s degree because I struggled just trying to survive. I was admitted into treatment facilities on multiple occasions due to severe eating disorders, depression, and anxiety, and this is the battle which ultimately made my education suffer. I am over two years into my recovery and with faith, purpose, and hope, I achieved my undergraduate degree with a 3.84 GPA in Organizational Leadership in December 2021. How I coped with the challenges I faced is hard to put into words. My coping strategies became a "trial and error" system. Mental illness is a lonely road and I believe the way in which we cope is a personal journey with personal discoveries. I wish I could write a "how-to" about how I overcame my battles with mental illness. What I learned the most throughout my journey is I had to get over the fear of asking for help. I always wanted to overcome my struggles alone because I thought asking for help was a sign of weakness. Had I never asked for help and accepted the help given to me, I would never have gotten to the point of recovery I am at today. Asking for hope is an ultimate sign of strength. Admitting I needed help was one of the hardest things I had to do, but one of the best decisions I made. I always thought one day I will be able to say, "I'm recovered". I learned over time and through many relapses that recovery will never be past tense. Recovery is lifelong and I will always be working towards a better life every day. I would be lying if I said I was not scared. The chance of relapse will always be there, but I am my own best reminder to stay on my path of recovery. Looking at my comeback is the most powerful reminder to stay the course. The hardest part about recovery is remembering. Remembering those nights when I felt so hopeless; the nights when I felt like I couldn't make it another day of suffering; the mornings when I felt like I couldn't move; remembering the unexplainable pain that was never ending; the pain that ran so deep. However, remembering those nights save me from going back to living that way. Because of my recovery, I can have a hopeful future. I am now accepted into a Master's program and applying to many more schools. I have a dream of achieving my PhD in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University after I earn my Master's degree. I want to be living proof to those suffering that recovery is possible. Believing that recovery is possible can feel unrealistic, but if you see it first hand I believe people will start to see hope. Something I try to think of often is, "maybe I won't get better, but then again, maybe I will".