"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them"-Walt Disney. Disney is more than just a company or a brand to me. I have always loved Disney, and that is the reason why I have a lifetime pass to go whenever I please. It is a place where I can go and experience my childhood favorites all in real time. Disney has been an integral part of my life since I was a child, and it continues to be a source of joy and happiness for me. There are several reasons why I like Disney so much, and I would like to explore what it means to me. Firstly, Disney movies have always been a way to escape reality and enter a world of fantasy and magic. The stories are timeless, and they never fail to captivate me. Whether it's the classic fairy tales like Snow White and Cinderella or the modern-day hits like Frozen and Moana, each movie has a unique charm that keeps me coming back for more. The characters are relatable, and the themes of love, friendship, and perseverance resonate with me on a personal level. Secondly, Disney represents a sense of nostalgia and childhood memories for me. Watching Disney movies with my family was a bonding experience, and it's something I cherish to this day. The songs and quotes from the movies have become a part of my everyday life, and they always bring a smile to my face. Whenever I watch a Disney movie, I am transported back to a simpler time when life was carefree and full of wonder. Lastly, Disney is a symbol of creativity and imagination. This company has created some of the most iconic characters and stories in history, and it continues to inspire generations of artists and storytellers. Disney has also created theme parks that are a testament to the companys dedication to creating immersive and memorable experiences for its fans. The attention to detail and commitment to quality is evident in everything that Disney does, and it's something that I greatly admire. So as you can see Disney means a lot to me for various reasons. it's a way for me to escape reality, a source of nostalgia and childhood memories, and a symbol of creativity and imagination. Disney has brought so much joy and happiness to my life and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

“It is never too late to start” was the quote I saw on my computer screen before I made the life-changing decision to become a nurse. When I decided last September to go back to school at the age of 41, I was nervous, anxious, and full of excitement all at the same time. It had been over ten years since I have taken any academic courses, and it was like I was entering a whole new world. In this exciting new chapter, I now had to learn how to adapt to going to school full-time while maintaining a full-time job and family life. When I was much younger, going to school was challenging because of all the distractions. I was more into partying than studying, to be honest, so I decided to take a break for a while. At my age now I feel that I am in the right place in my life to pursue higher education. I am confident that this is the best decision I have made about my future and that is what makes me a non-traditional student. What drives me to do more is growth, confidence, and support from my family. I have been in the medical field for the past 7 years. As a pathology laboratory assistant, I have acquired skills that I believe would be beneficial in my nursing career. I enjoy what I do but I want to do more and improve myself. Along with growth, I have the mindset that I can do this, and that I will be successful. As I mentioned before I was quite nervous and wondered if I was cut out for this intense journey, but I quickly got rid of those negative thoughts and enrolled in school and have been maintaining an A average so far. Furthermore, support from my family gives me the drive to pursue my nursing career. My mom and husband are my biggest cheerleaders, and I will always appreciate them for encouraging me to go for what I want no matter how old I am.

Hi! My name is Martine, and I am a bibliophile. That’s right I am a lover of all things books and reading. I have always loved reading as a child. I remember that I would try to read as much as I can so I can get to the next book. At the beginning of the year, I challenged myself to read one book a month and so far, I have exceeded that challenge by reading more than one book a month. Reading has always made me feel like I was part of the story. I enjoy exploring new worlds and ideas through the pages of a book and appreciate the power of storytelling. “that’s the thing about books, they let you travel without moving your feet” -Jhumpa Lahiri. If there was one book in the world that I would want anyone to read it would be Kitchen Table Wisdom by Dr. Naomi Remen. I was introduced to this book last year by my philosophy of healthcare professor and I am so glad she did. Everyone has a story to tell, and Dr. Remen depicts this in her book. Over the years as a therapist for patients suffering from cancer, she has compiled true stories that people have told her about the uncertainties of life, death, courage, wisdom, and faith. From grandmas to CEOs all of them had a story to share. Dr. Remen felt that these short stories were very important to share because they could help those dealing with the same type of illness which happened to be cancer among other ailments. Remen also talks about her healing journey with Chron’s disease and how it shaped her life as a patient and as a physician. As I enter healthcare I know there are going to be a lot of challenging moments. Feeling fear, courage, and vulnerability are all part of healthcare and I feel that this book would be great for patients as well as nurses and doctors. I believe that the stories in this book are healing and encouraging. It has made me have more of an understanding of what it means to be connected to others and to have compassion for all.

Technology has allowed us to be able to communicate, exchange ideas, connect with others around the world and so much more. Technology has supplied us with tools and resources that can help us achieve our goals when it comes to our passions and even our health. The one piece of technology that inspires me in technology is my Dexcom 6 glucose monitor. This small device has improved my quality of life since being diagnosed with autoimmune type 1 diabetes. It also pairs up with my phone so that I can always have access to my glucose numbers. My Dexcom continuously shows how my glucose is doing and if there needs to be any adjustment made to prevent unnecessary highs and lows. I feel that this piece of technology can make the world a better place because it helps people manage their blood sugar levels effectively. Providing real-time glucose readings can help prevent dangerous highs and lows, reducing the risks of diabetes complications. The data collected by Dexcom can be shared with healthcare providers to inform treatment decisions and improve outcomes. By enabling better management of diabetes, the Dexcom glucose monitor can help improve the health and well-being of millions of people worldwide. Overall, having this device has made me realize how technology is so important in our lives especially when it comes to monitoring our health. Technology has the potential to transform our lives for the better. As this device continues to get updated this can improve its accuracy and reliability leading to more effective and efficient care. This also helps healthcare providers stay up to date with the latest research and best practices, leading to better decision-making and outcome.

Before my husband was diagnosed with chronic PTSD, I did not realize how delicate the human mind could be. He always felt that he was losing his mind and control of his life. He started drinking to cope with whatever was going on in his head. It was very hard to see him go through nightmares, anxiety and stress every day and very hard on our marriage. Even though there were times that were challenging we got through them with the support of the VA medical staff and their mental health department along with counseling. As I decide to go into nursing, I believe mental health is extremely important especially when I know I will be caring for others. As nurses, we need to be prepared mentally and physically so that we can provide the best patient care. If our mental wellness is low the quality of care goes down which can be stressful for you and the patient. Many aggravations in nursing can lead to anxiety or even depression. Seeing sick or dying patients daily or working in a hostile environment can put a toll on one’s mental health. We must take charge and do what is best for our mental well-being. Promoting wellness in the workplace is a great way to ensure that our mental health is being addressed. I maintain my mental wellness by taking care of my body physically and practicing meditation and gratefulness. How I take care of my mental health physically by working out daily. I choose yoga because it is relaxing for my body, and it helps calm my mind as well. Being physical improves my mood and keeps me alert and energized. I also try to get enough sleep and make sure that I have my daily dose of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains which is great for brain health. I also practice meditation which helps calm my mind as well. I find that being present and, in the moment, has soothing effects. I also practice breathing exercises as well which slows down my heart alleviating all anxieties I might be facing. Another way that I practice mental wellness is by being grateful every day. Doing this has made me appreciate all the good things that life has to offer every day. Seeing my husband struggle with PTSD has shown me how it is important to find resources that will help combat the stressors in life. I also know that nursing will be challenging and if I keep myself in great shape, eat right, meditate and practice gratefulness my mental health will benefit from it.

I was losing weight quickly, extremely thirsty, and just not feeling well. I knew something was going on with my body, but I was too afraid to find out what. When I did get the courage to go to the doctors they did blood work, but I was not prepared for the diagnosis. “You have diabetes and the type you have is called LADA. This type of diabetes is a slowly progressive form of autoimmune diabetes. You can say it is a mix between type 1 and type 2 diabetes”. After hearing my diagnosis, I thought my life was over. At first, I thought I do not fit the criteria and that I was too old to be diagnosed with diabetes. After talking with my doctors and doing research this form of diabetes is common in smaller women over the age of 35 which I was. When the doctor told me I had this autoimmune disease I did not know how to deal with it. I was not eating properly fearing that I would spike my blood sugars. I started to lose more weight because I did not educate myself on how to take care of my body. I was quite miserable until I finally decided I needed to get it together and make some changes. I was not going to let this disease take over. I started reading about foods that can help with autoimmune diseases. I attended nutrition classes to make sure that I was eating the right foods. I started working out daily and began working on a healthy version of myself. By doing these things I have lowered my AIC and I have been the healthiest that I have ever been. When I decided to go into nursing, I knew that I had to be healthy in all parts of my life. I know that this new path that I am taking is going to require a lot from me. There are times when schoolwork will become challenging, but it is up to me to know how to navigate through those challenges. I know that I must continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reach my future goals. That’s why I make sure I take the necessary mental breaks, I move my body and eat healthily. I need to make sure that my health is in great shape so that I can take care of my future patients properly and with care. This scholarship will be put towards my nursing degree to cover the costly expenses of school. Knowing I have the funds for school will make me much more confident that I will succeed because of the resources available to me.

“I was at sea for 10 days and was scared I was not going to make it. People around me were riddled with sickness and dying from a lack of food and water. All I had was a piece of dried saltfish that I rationed out so that I could make sure I had something to eat which unfortunately did not last long. All I could do was pray that I make it to see another day. When delirium started to take over, I thought this was it and I was going to die. All that changed when I saw the light on the horizon and knew that we were finally reaching land and knew I was going to be ok”. Every time I hear my mom tell her story it just pulls at my heartstrings. When she describes her terrifying journey from Haiti to America in the early 80s, she brings me to tears because of her sacrifice and the risk she took. She wanted to make a better life for herself and her family and was willing to risk her life. If she did not make it, I would not be here. What I have learned from this was not to be afraid to go for what you want and to keep the faith. At first, I was nervous about pursuing my nursing career because I thought I was not your traditional student. I was older and had not been in school in a while which was a bit nerve-wracking. However, hearing about what my mother went through has made me realize that this attitude can hinder my dreams. My mother has been so encouraging and supportive which has made my nursing journey so much better. My goal is to get my BSN MSN.

I never thought that I would be going back to school, especially at the age of 42. Thinking of going back to school did give me a bit of anxiety but I recalled a meme that said, “It was never too late”. So, I took that as a sign and began to further my career in medicine. I currently work as a Pathology Lab Assistant at a hospital and have been in this position for 6 years. I have volunteered as a hospital greeter which has been very rewarding because I get to interact with different people. It gave me comfort to know that I could brighten up someone’s day. The field of medicine has always been of interest to me. The skills that I have acquired over the years have made me realize I can do a lot more with my knowledge. Even though in my current position I do not get to see patients, I am still a part of their care. I love knowing about the new technologies available that can add quality to patients’ lives. I chose to study nursing because I have a mission to help others. I want to serve in medicine like my husband did for our country. One of the reasons that I chose nursing is because of all the available specialties. The specialty that I plan to specialize in is nurse practitioner, specifically women and children nursing. Developing children’s and women’s health has always been of interest to me. I want to make sure that the health and well-being of women and babies are taken care of and met. Women must take care of their health and make responsible decisions for themselves, and I want to be part of that process. I am currently attending Advent Health University to start my nursing journey. Since it has been over 20 years since I have been back to school, I made sure I was extra focused. I am fortunate to have had credits transferred from my previous college which makes this journey a lot quicker. I have taken my teas exam which I did well on considering how long it has been since I have been to school. The plan is to begin my nursing courses at the beginning of 2024. To help me in my nursing journey I make sure I use all resources available for me to succeed. I ultimately want to get my MSN in nursing.

I never thought that I would be going back to school, especially at the age of 42. Thinking of going back to school did give me a bit of anxiety but I recalled a meme that said, “It was never too late”. So, I took that as a sign and began to further my career in medicine. I currently work as a Pathology Lab Assistant at a hospital and have been in this position for 6 years. I have volunteered as a hospital greeter which has been very rewarding because I get to interact with different people. It gave me comfort to know that I could brighten up someone’s day. The field of medicine has always been of interest to me. The skills that I have acquired over the years have made me realize I can do a lot more with my knowledge. Even though in my current position I do not get to see patients, I am still a part of their care. I love knowing about the new technologies available that can add quality to patients’ lives. I chose to study nursing because I have a mission to help others. I want to serve in medicine like my husband did for our country. One of the reasons that I chose nursing is because of all the available specialties. The specialty that I plan to specialize in is nurse practitioner, specifically women and children nursing. Developing children’s and women’s health has always been of interest to me. I want to make sure that the health and well-being of women and babies are taken care of and met. Women must take care of their health and make responsible decisions for themselves, and I want to be part of that process. I am currently attending Advent Health University to start my nursing journey. Since it has been over 20 years since I have been back to school, I made sure I was extra focused. I am fortunate to have had credits transferred from my previous college which makes this journey a lot quicker. I have taken my teas exam which I did well on considering how long it has been since I have been to school. The plan is to begin my nursing courses at the beginning of 2024. To help me in my nursing journey I make sure I use all resources available for me to succeed. I ultimately want to get my MSN in nursing.

Hospital Intercom: “Paging Dr. Martine Church!” And that is how I see my future self, a doctor in nursing practices.

The reason why the nursing industry interests me is because of my desire to help others and the opportunity to grow professionally. I have always had an interest in the medical field but did not know what I wanted to be. I knew however that I wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives. Ever since I could remember my eyes were glued to some type of medical book trying to learn what I could. I was always curious about the human body and how it worked. When I was younger when I would see family members who were sick, I always wanted to find ways that I could help them feel better. I want to serve in the medical field just like how my husband did during 9/11. Furthermore, the medical field is growing every day and I want to be part of new medical developments. Working as a lab assistant for 6 years has grown my interest in the medical field quite drastically. I want to be part of the medical technologies that will improve the health of many people. I am currently beginning my nursing journey at Advent Health. The first step in reaching my nursing career goal was to apply to school. I was a bit nervous at first for even considering going back to school at my age. I thought to myself will I have time between school and home? Will this be worth it? At the same time, I am so fortunate to have a supportive family that has been so encouraging in this journey. I knew this is what I was destined to do so I applied and started my classes last fall. I was blessed to find out that I was able to transfer a few college credits from a previous college which has made this journey a bit quicker. I was also able to take the placement exam for nursing and passed that as well on my first try. I feel that being dedicated to the goal by putting in the hard work will get me where I want to be. Past medical experiences that I have had are volunteering at Orlando Health as a greeter. This was a rewarding position because it allowed me to interact with and get to know different types of people. Also, my being diagnosed with autoimmune diabetes and my husband who has chronic PTSD have also inspired me to go for my nursing degree. I want to be able to be a support for those who may be suffering from these illnesses and help them find comfort in their diagnosis. There are so many reasons to get into nursing but my reason is I want to be able to improve my medical knowledge and skills so that I can be able to help others competently.

I did not think I was going to attend school later in life, but it has been the best decision I have made in my professional career. As I was checking my emails a meme popped up stating it was never too late. I took this as a sign and signed up for college all over again. I already knew what I wanted to study, I guess I just needed that push. As a black female student, I am so grateful for the educational opportunities that are available to women of color. I chose the nursing career because I have the desire to learn and increase my knowledge of the medical world, there are many opportunities in nursing to choose from and I have an eagerness to help those in need. When I first started my first semester last year, I was very apprehensive considering that I was an older student. It had been 20 years since I attended school, so you can imagine the anxieties I had. Even though I was nervous I told myself that I was doing this to improve myself. I wanted to grow and improve the skills that I acquired over the years by working as a pathology lab assistant. As I continued with my semester, I realized it was not hard after all if I was dedicated to my work and goals. I also started to challenge myself by reading one book a month so that I can improve my vocabulary and memorization skills. Another reason why I chose the nursing career was because of the many opportunities that are in this field. These opportunities range from nontraditional like traveling nursing to bedside nurse which is more traditional. My goal is to obtain my MSN in nurse practitioner. I want to be able to use my role to promote positive health choices to improve the health of others. Lastly, I want to become a nurse because I have the desire to help others. I want to be able to be the reason that my patient feels a little bit better today. Just like my husband served in the military I know that it is my calling to serve in the medical field. Improving myself, the many opportunities and the desire to help others are all the reasons that I choose to become a nurse. I want to make a difference in this challenging world and people’s lives. It is important to me that others can count on me.

Pursuing My Nursing Career By Martine Lincifort I never thought I would be going into nursing school at the tender age of 42. I was sitting at my desk at work and suddenly, an email pops up saying “It is never too late to start!” I realized that message was a sign to go for my nursing degree and not think twice. I immediately filled out an application and was ready to start my nursing career. What inspired me to choose to nurse was my family, I enjoy the medical field and I want to make a difference. At first, when I decided to go to nursing school, I thought oh no, what did I just do? Was that the best decision to make? I thought to myself how am I going to balance married home life, school, and a full-time job? After praying about it I realized that my family is always there for me. When I told my husband and mom of my decision to go back to school, they were so happy and excited to go through this journey with me. This gave me the encouragement I needed to continue this new journey. Another reason that inspired me to go into nursing is my love for the medical field. After working as a Pathology Lab Assistant for 6 years I felt that the skills that I have acquired over the years could be used in a more challenging role such as nursing. I also work around nurses in my position so get to see firsthand how hard they work to give the best patient care. When seeing this I think to myself I can do this I can be a nurse and help those in need get better. I have always enjoyed learning about the human body and how it works which also gives me the drive to pursue this career. Lastly, another reason that I am pursuing nursing is that I want to make a positive difference in these patients’ lives. I feel that my calling is to help those who cannot help themselves especially if they are alone. Nursing is not all about giving medicine or shots but to make sure the patient feels safe and taken care of. I believe that giving great patient care can help improve their quality of life. Support from family, my love for the medical field, and my wanting to make a difference are a few of the reasons that inspire me to pursue a career in nursing.

Why do I plan to Pursue Nursing By Martine Lincifort I never thought I would be going into nursing school at the tender age of 42. I was sitting at my desk at work and suddenly, an email pops up saying “It is never too late to start!” I realized that message was a sign to go for my nursing degree and not think twice. I immediately filled out an application and was ready to start my nursing career. What inspired me to choose to nurse was my family, I enjoy the medical field and I want to make a difference. At first, when I decided to go to nursing school, I thought oh no, what did I just do? Was that the best decision to make? I thought to myself how am I going to balance married home life, school, and a full-time job? After praying about it I realized that my family is always there for me. When I told my husband and mom of my decision to go back to school, they were so happy and excited to go through this journey with me. This gave me the encouragement I needed to continue this new journey. Another reason that inspired me to go into nursing is my love for the medical field. After working as a Pathology Lab Assistant for 6 years I felt that the skills that I have acquired over the years could be used in a more challenging role such as nursing. I also work around nurses in my position so get to see firsthand how hard they work to give the best patient care. When seeing this I think to myself I can do this I can be a nurse and help those in need get better. I have always enjoyed learning about the human body and how it works which also gives me the drive to pursue this career. Lastly, another reason that I am pursuing nursing is that I want to make a positive difference in these patients’ lives. I feel that my calling is to help those who cannot help themselves especially if they are alone. Nursing is not all about giving medicine or shots but to make sure the patient feels safe and taken care of. I believe that giving great patient care can help improve their quality of life. Support from family, my love for the medical field, and my wanting to make a difference are a few of the reasons that inspire me to pursue a career in nursing.

My Mission for Joining the Healthcare Industry. By Martine Lincifort I have always been interested in healthcare, especially with the new technologies helping to improve people’s lives. Nursing has always been a career I wanted to pursue and I am excited that I am on that journey now. I work for AdventHealth which is a faith-based hospital and working in that healthcare setting has made me realize that I have an aspiration to help those who are suffering. Advent Health's mission is to Extend the healing ministry of Christ and I believe in this mission. What this means to me is making patients feel whole when they feel broken because of illness or disease. My mission is that I want to use the skills that I have acquired over the years to make a difference in people’s lives. As a wife of a wounded warrior, I have a true desire to serve as my husband did for our country so faithfully. First, I am committed to growth. I have always wanted to do more. I have the determination to learn about ways that I can help improve one’s health. I want to be part of their journey to recovery. My interest in nursing has made me want to continue my education so that I can improve my knowledge of how the body functions and works and what it takes to give great patient care. The second thing that contributes to my mission is having compassion. I believe in speaking to others with kindness, listening intently without judging and being encouraging will have a great effect on those who are in the recovery process. Being there for patients is important to me especially if they do not have other support systems in their life. I want to be that shining light in their times of hopelessness. Lastly, I believe in integrity, it shows who you truly are as a person. I take pride in being on time for everything. I would have friends, family, and coworkers give me a hard time jokingly for always being the early bird. Being punctual shows how reliable and trustworthy you are. It shows respect for other people’s time. Working in healthcare has made me want to be a positive example to others. I make it my duty to show respect to family, friends, coworkers, and patients. Staying true to my values will make people believe in me and trust my judgments. In conclusion, being committed to growing and learning, showing compassion, and having integrity are part of my mission for joining the healthcare industry.

What Inspired Me to Pursue a Career in Nursing By Martine Lincifort I never thought I would be going into nursing school at the tender age of 42. I was sitting at my desk at work and suddenly, an email pops up saying “It is never too late to start!” I realized that message was a sign to go for my nursing degree and not think twice. I immediately filled out an application and was ready to start my nursing career. What inspired me to choose to nurse was my family, I enjoy the medical field and I want to make a difference. At first, when I decided to go to nursing school, I thought oh no, what did I just do? Was that the best decision to make? I thought to myself how am I going to balance married home life, school, and a full-time job? After praying about it I realized that my family is always there for me. When I told my husband and mom of my decision to go back to school, they were so happy and excited to go through this journey with me. This gave me the encouragement I needed to continue this new journey. Another reason that inspired me to go into nursing is my love for the medical field. After working as a Pathology Lab Assistant for 6 years I felt that the skills that I have acquired over the years could be used in a more challenging role such as nursing. I also work around nurses in my position so get to see firsthand how hard they work to give the best patient care. When seeing this I think to myself I can do this I can be a nurse and help those in need get better. I have always enjoyed learning about the human body and how it works which also gives me the drive to pursue this career. Lastly, another reason that I am pursuing nursing is that I want to make a positive difference in these patients’ lives. I feel that my calling is to help those who cannot help themselves especially if they are alone. Nursing is not all about giving medicine or shots but to make sure the patient feels safe and taken care of. I believe that giving great patient care can help improve their quality of life. Support from family, my love for the medical field, and my wanting to make a difference are a few of the reasons that inspire me to pursue a career in nursing. If I had an opportunity to create something fun to make the world a better place it would be to have crafting sessions for patients who are ill but capable of doing things that are fun for them. I have a small business where I make candles and soap. I feel that showing others how to make these handmade items can brighten up their day.

School Inspiration By Martine Lincifort I never thought I would be going into nursing school at the tender age of 42. I was sitting at my desk at work and suddenly, an email pops up saying “It is never too late to start!” I realized that message was a sign to go for my nursing degree and not think twice. When I was younger, I thought that I was ready for college life. The plan was to go right out of high school, apply to the nearby community college full-time, and get my AS in nursing. Boy was that not the case, after a whole year in school I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. I was doing ok but not as well as I wanted. At the time I was enjoying my time working full-time and going on trips with my friends. So, college was not my focus. I decided to take some time off which eventually turned into 20 years. I currently work for Advent Health as a Pathology Laboratory Assistant which I enjoy doing. I have been doing it faithfully for 6 years. Working in pathology has made me want to do more in the medical field. At first, I thought I was too old to even think about starting school, but I quickly changed my mindset. I was also concerned that I would not be able to balance school, work, and family life. I am so grateful to have a supportive husband and family around me. What inspired me to go back to school was I wanted to improve myself, help others and make a difference in other people’s lives. As a lab assistant, I wanted to use the skills that I have acquired over the years for a much more challenging position. I felt that going for nursing was the best decision I have ever made, right now I am taking the necessary courses to help me be successful in this new career. I also decided to go back to school because I have a calling to help others. I want to be able to be there for those who don’t have anyone around. Being a nurse is about making sure your patient gets the best care possible. I feel that nursing school will give me the necessary skills to do my job properly. I am now pursuing my BSN and eventually MSN in nursing and am ready for the journey. I want to make a difference in medical work by being the best at what I do. Not giving up because of my age and wanting to improve myself and make a difference in other people’s lives is what inspired me to return to school.

How I Maintain My Personal Wellness By Martine Lincifort Wellness is extremely important to me especially when I am going into a profession where I will be taking care of others. At first, I did not think I would be going to nursing school at the age of 42 which is already nerve-wracking. Being an older student in college I need to make sure that I am in good health mentally and physically. I was never concerned about wellness until I realized how much stress can affect your life and not in a positive way. Some ways that I manage my personal wellness are journaling, praying/meditating, and moving my body daily. When I journal, it allows me to express my feelings about the day. Good or bad I am writing it down. School can get tough at times so expressing my stresses and anxieties helps me cope and to take charge of my well-being. I also have a gratitude section in my personal journal where I can express what I am grateful for daily. I feel that being grateful every day makes me feel a bit better about myself and the world. I know that keeping track of my thoughts and feelings will boost my mental health. Another way that I manage my wellness as a student is by praying and meditating daily. I feel that when I calm my mind, all things around me seem so much more peaceful. Praying also helps with my mental health as well. When I give my concerns to God, I know I do not need to worry about anything. Lastly moving my body daily is also a part of my wellness. At first, I thought I had to train hard or something crazy which was causing me stress. That’s when I realized that I needed to find workouts that were right for me and that I could feel good about. I decided to download a yoga and Pilates app which has been the best thing ever for my wellness. Moving slowly and intentionally has boosted my physical health and made me stronger. Doing those things like journaling, praying/meditating, and moving my body has had a positive impact on my personal wellness. I am much more alert; my anxieties have become less especially when it comes to taking tests. My grades have improved dramatically from 20 years ago from being an average student to an A + student. I accredit that to just taking care of myself mentally and physically and keeping positive people in my life as well. I realize that going into nursing may take a toll on my mental and physical health. That is why sticking to my daily habits is important to me so that I can give the best patient care possible. And that is how I maintain my personal well as a student.