When it comes to finances and financial education, I’ll be honest,I did not grow up knowing a lot about it. Money was always something we needed to be careful with, but I did not really understand how to budget, save, or plan for the future. Most of what I know now, I have learned on my own or through small lessons as I’ve gotten older. As I get ready for college, I am realizing just how important it is to understand money and how to manage it. Right now, I am a senior in high school and I play softball, which takes a lot of time and dedication. Between school and sports, and working in between,I’ve learned how to stay organized, work hard, and stay focused. I know these same qualities will help me when it comes to finances too. I’ve started learning more about things like student loans, saving money, and budgeting so I can be more prepared for life after high school. I want to become a nurse because I love helping people and making a difference. At the same time, I hope to continue my softball career in college. I know both paths will require a lot of time, effort, and responsibility, but I’m ready for the challenge. Part of that challenge will be handling money wisely, paying for college, managing expenses, and making sure I’m not overwhelmed by debt later on. What I’ve learned so far is that financial education isn’t just about being good at math or having a job— ,it’s about making smart choices, setting goals, and thinking ahead. It is about making sure you pay your bills on time, or limiting yourself in order to keep your savings higher. I want to use what I learn to stay on top of my finances, support myself through school, and build a future I can be proud of. I also want to be able to help others, whether that’s my future patients as a nurse, or younger students who might not have been taught about money either. I may not know everything yet, but I’m willing to learn. I believe that understanding finances will give me more freedom and less stress in the future. It’s one of the many tools I’ll need to reach my goals, and I’m excited to keep growing in that area as I move into the next chapter of my life.