Limping through Chemistry as a sophomore in high school, my dad began to instill in me the importance of creative problem solving. In order to overcome a seemingly impossible issue, one must find strategies to come to a solution. This message was relevant for my high school career, and now my college career. As an emotional thinker, the idea of creative problem solving is centered around challenging myself to think analytically when an issue in my academic or personal life arises. Socially, this may look like improving communication, expressing thoughts and emotion, as well as continued connection with my peers. Academically, creative problem solving allows me to find opportunities to become the best student and individual I can. In Chemistry my sophomore year of high school, communication with my teacher, using my resources, and staying after school were a few of my solutions to failing multiple tests. In contrast, the lack of problem solving would have looked like giving up, coasting through the class, and having a poor attitude. In college, I have taken full advantage of my small class sizes and professor's office hours. Small class sizes allows for my professors to get to know me on a personal level, and attending office hours demonstrates to the professor that I am engaged and striving to do well in their class. When I am unhappy about a test grade or confused on subject matter, I creatively problem solve by continuing to know my professors and attending their office hours. To me, creative problem solving and well-made decisions go hand in hand. In some cases, creative problem solving is a well-made decision and vice versa. Each of these acts comes from the goal of the desire to be the best student and individual I can be. Without a vision or ambition, there would be no need for problem solving and well-made decisions. I am implementing well-made decisions in my community by participating in heavy amounts of community engagement throughout high school, and pursuing a career that will provide extensive amounts of community connection. Serving with my church throughout high school sparked a fire in me of a passion for people. Engaging in children's ministries and the food pantry, my love for people and desire to devote my career to servings others and my community began to grow. As I began exploring potential career options, I toggled between becoming a doctor and a nurse. What led me to wanting to become a nurse was the personal connection that nurses have with their patients. After seeing a family member in the hospital for a few weeks, the medical staff that had the most impact on them was the nursing staff. I believe that becoming a nurse will provide opportunities for more well-made decisions and circumstances for creative problem solving that will have a valuable effect in the lives of my patients. This idea, is what kindled my goal to become a nurse. Learning to creatively problem solve and connecting this idea to well-made decisions in my personal and academic life is what led to a future career in nursing to help my community. Within the next few years, I hope to see how creative problem solving and well-made decisions will have a positive impact on my patients and my community.