Nelson Mandela expressed, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” As a woman, this statement rings true for me in countless ways. I am passionate about receiving my education because I am confident it will open doors to many of the opportunities that I desire. Growing up with two parents working in the educational system, I understand and value the importance of academia. I learned that education is a tool that empowers and should be respected. Education provides the skills and resources to be a more informed citizen. Moreover, knowledge is power! As I take in the world, I have learned to appreciate this phrase more and more. We live in a world where the rights of children, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color can be snatched away in the blink of an eye. I believe in the power of education and embrace it as a layer of protection that affords so much to people who are privy to it. I recognize everyone does not have access to quality education. This inequality drives me to be a part of the change I wish to see in the world. As an African American, I respect education and understand the sacrifices made by my parents and the African American community as a whole. The respect and admiration for education keep me in pursuit of my educational goals to obtain my Master's degree in College Student Personnel after I graduate undergrad this coming spring. I want to impact the communities I serve as a Residential Director. I want to encourage those around me to share the same or a similar appreciation I have for learning. I want to create safe places for other minorities. I want to improve gender disparities, poverty, reproductive autonomy, and political power, which I plan to address through education. In addition, I feel compelled to honor those who have paved the way. Their sacrifice has made opportunities such as attending the college of my choice a realistic possibility. One of the ways I have achieved this is by developing good study habits and earning the grades that have afforded me the liberty of being recently inducted into the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa, Lambda of Ohio Chapter. I am moved by the African proverb, “If we stand tall, it is because we stand on the backs of those who came before us.”

Prevention is an effective mindset when addressing one’s mental health. Whenever I feel unbalanced, I instantly remind myself to pause before reacting, and center myself with breathwork and/or positive visualizations. I habitually redirect my thoughts by focusing on the things I desire and not on the things that are causing me stress. I find it helpful to redirect my thoughts to shift my perspective. I will often encourage myself to do things that bring me intentional joy such as the following activities: Art — Observing and creating through drawing is a healing mechanism that access parts of me that language cannot. I love to create artwork on my iPad and in my sketchbook. Visualizing positive outcomes — Regulates emotions, relieves stress as well as provides a safe place for me to rest my anxious thoughts. This practice gives me so much hope and changes my worldview. Bike riding — This allows me the opportunity to take in nature and brings me back to childhood memories as I reduce the stress while spreading endorphins all through my body. Deep breathing — Helps manage my mind and provides a sense of calmness/serenity. This technique helps to center me. Bathing — Soaking in a bath with salts and essential oils promotes a friendly environment for meditating my troubles away. I usually get the best sleep after a warm, soothing bath. Journaling — Writing is a great social outlet that allows me to release emotions I do not feel comfortable sharing. Healthy food — Gardening, cooking, and/or eating with intentions makes me feel wholesome. It provides an opportunity to redirect my thoughts as I focus on the task at hand and shut down my worries. Meditation — This allows me to get a new perspective and brings balance into my life as I quiet my mind and get still. Power naps — Provides the opportunity to reset my mental state and increase energy. Solitude (alone time) — Taking time to recharge my social battery and finding joy in time spent with myself brings a lot of comforts. Mudras (hand gestures) — Incorporating my favorite hand gestures like the Gyan mudra to channel and direct energy in the body which increases mental alertness, calms the mind, and brightens the overall mood. Listening to sound/music — Love putting on classical music, Japanese pop, or the soundtrack of Alexander Hamilton always helps boost my mood. Dancing — Putting the video game, Just Dance, on as I move and groove until I am laughing and pumping myself up. This activity is a great mood booster. Moon gazing — Creates a relaxing environment while encouraging the natural release of melatonin. This activity brings me a great deal of peace and lets me unwind in a stress-free way. Find the tips that will suit your needs. Discovering techniques to positively address your mental health is vital to capturing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Taking the time to know what works for your individual needs is important to improving your mood and enhancing your self-development.

Have you ever found yourself chasing the light at the end of the tunnel? I can still recall a seven-year-old me scurrying off the school bus with such excitement, rushing to the dining room table to unfold and read the letter given to me by a friend. I fished the note out of my bag and eagerly opened it. My big smile slowly faded as I read the contents of that letter. The message written in sloppy, red crayon informed me my "friend" would have to pretend not to be friends with me in front of another girl who did not like me. My heart broke for the first time, but it would not be the last. This letter would spark my “worthless and disposable” phase and the pursuit of the light at the end of that tunnel. Statements such as "your problems are not real" and “you’re replaceable” became common for me to hear. My friends either ignored me, picked someone else over me, or felt it necessary to invalidate me. It did not take long for me to internalize these messages and believe them to be true. I thought I did not matter and soon learned to keep all my pain inside. Throughout high school, I experienced my parents’ divorce, had an on-and-off-again relationship with my toxic ex-girlfriend, and struggled to find enjoyment/interest in my hobbies like watching anime or playing video games. I began to resent the people I once called friends as I felt the sting of being underappreciated more and more. My happiness became a mask I felt forced to wear as friends would antagonizingly ask, “What’s your problem?” Or insist, “ You should be happy!” I felt like my only worth to them had become my humor. All these interactions caused me to pull away from others and reject the idea of making new friends. I feared going into public alone—afraid everyone would see my imperfections and would know I was unwanted. I began to spiral into cycles of anxiety and depression. Such feelings led me to a toxic relationship that only did further damage to my self-esteem. After being ghosted, gaslighted, and lied to repeatedly, I eventually grew so exhausted that every day felt like an uphill climb with no relief in sight. I can still hear words such as, “I only said I love you to make you feel special” echoing in my head. There were days I believed the hollow space where my soul was supposed to be would feel empty forever. Some days just getting out of bed felt impossible, but I knew I had to persevere. Growing up, I learned to silence my voice within. For a time, I believed I was not worth being heard. This lack of self-worth made building deep, meaningful relationships with others difficult because I had grown afraid to let people in and see who I am. I feared they would scrutinize the goofy, fun-loving girl safely hidden. Then I heard the infamous words of Zora Neale Hurston, “If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” So I took responsibility for my pain. I began speaking up for myself even if my voice shakes. I had to recognize the way my “friends” mistreat me defines who they are, not who I am. Self-acceptance and not taking things personally helped me to begin the process of embracing my light and feeling comfortable enough to build meaningful relationships. I’ve learned to empower myself by prioritizing my mental health. I realized I had to stop pretending my pain was not real. As Micheal T. Flynn once stated, “You cannot defeat an enemy you do not admit exists.” I learned to accept my darkness by attending therapy, exploring my trauma/triggers, journaling as a social outlet, and finding new ways to grow. Even though there were people who made me feel lonely, I began to appreciate the people who believed in me more. This motivated me to foster self-love by starting a gratitude journal, eating healthier, and dedicating time to exercise. Just a few years ago, I wondered if I would ever reach that light at the end of the tunnel. I believed no one would understand me and no one could help me. I am happy to share that through conquering my fears of opening up, I have grown to accept the loving support from people like my mom and current girlfriend who inspire me to be my light. Due to my experiences, I know what it feels like to be a second choice. That is one reason why I became interested in Psychology. I wanted to learn more about mental health and help improve the social well-being of communities. I sought employment in the dorms to support the mental and emotional health of students. Moreover, I have found my calling to become a Resident Director, where I can be supportive. My goal is to inspire others to discover the light within by learning healthy ways to manage stress and relate to others. Sure, there are times when I still feel like darkness is engulfing me, but now I know I have the tools to overcome the grimness of life. I know there is still a lot of work to be done. I acknowledge everyone is going through their struggles. I realize now that chasing the light in the distance is futile because I cannot control when times are good or bad. However, I can wake up and choose to shine my light as I walk in faith toward better days. Sometimes, all you can do is see the glass as half full, and appreciate that it is not empty. I take comfort in knowing that if my pain will allow me to become a better person, empathize with others, and guide people to find their light–it has been worth it.

A mother’s love is the heart of the family. Without a doubt, my mother has been my biggest supporter. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure I have a quality education. As I reflect, I cannot think of anyone who has contributed more than my mother in helping me reach my educational goals. As a September baby, I started school earlier than most of my peers. Subsequently, I struggled with reading fluently and loathed anything to do with literature during my primary years. My mother noticed my lack of interest when it came to my nightly readings and did everything imaginable to help me foster a love for reading. More specifically, she took me to the library weekly to develop the habits needed to become an accelerated reader; she required me to explore different genres until I found topics that interested me; and she even helped me become the founder of my book club, Nadia’s Turtle Sheep Book Club, that was hosted in our basement each month with invites, snacks, classmates, and a guest reader. As a single parent, my mother empowers me to find creative ways to address my needs. She made learning fun and taught me the value of education. She has instilled by example the rewards of establishing an exceptional work ethic. I love and appreciate her willingness to explain the reason why. She believes when a person knows better, they do better. She explained, “I am not always the smartest in the room, but I will always be the one that comes prepared. Most times it is enough.” She is an advocate for getting things done—never put off for tomorrow what should be conquered today. Whenever I have reached a bump in the road, my mother has served as a guiding light through praise, prayer, and an optimistic attitude. She prides herself on teaching her children the lessons rather than just providing the answers. She is not perfect but is fair, humble, and kind. She is quick to lead by example and expects nothing less from my brother and me. If faced with a challenge, she encourages me to look within myself to find the answers. I can hear her saying, “What exactly do you think this moment is trying to teach you?” She reminds me that there are no mistakes, just learning lessons. She has made it easy to learn from my mistakes while still accepting responsibility for mistakes made and accomplishments achieved. What I appreciate most about my mother is that she allows me to be comfortable being me, which has made everything else easier. She genuinely wants me to pursue a life that I desire, not one others may choose for me. For instance, she assured me that I would find the right path for myself. She encouraged me to be patient as I anxiously struggled to declare a major when applying to college. She supported my decisions to pursue things I enjoy doing while in college such as taking Japanese and classes centered around diversity to help maintain balance in my life. Furthermore, she suggested my first campus job at the Women’s Center when we attended orientation. Of course, I appreciate the financial support that my mom continues to provide, but I also value her wisdom. My mother is the wind beneath my wings and a reason why I have successfully achieved accomplishments such as making the Dean’s List and being inducted into the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa. My educational adventure continues to be a positive experience thanks to her.

Help! I don’t fit into any of these boxes! As an African American lesbian who grew up in a predominantly white suburb, I have had to overcome many challenges, which resulted in a silent lifestyle of depression and anxiety. I presented myself as the happy girl who went along with the flow to not ruffle any feathers in the groups I was a part of in high school. Consequently, I had to find the courage to love and accept who I truly am regardless of how others may perceive me, mistreat me, or disown me simply for honoring me. As I learn to grow into myself, I realize there will be many times that I must speak up for myself and others, even if the situation requires my voice to tremble with a bit of fear because the boxes provided for me to check off do not represent who I am. Subsequently, I plan on using my education in psychology to give back to others who suffer from mental health issues. I intend to continue aiding the local Athens community and creating the time to volunteer at my university. I will achieve this by taking the initiative at events for underrepresented groups such as the Women’s Center, LGBT+ Center, and Multicultural Center. As a Resident Assistant and former Women’s Center employee, I have learned a plethora of skills to support those from varied backgrounds. Continuing to be a service to my community has inspired me to feel more fulfilled as an individual. Through self-acceptance, I have discovered a sense of empowerment that has been liberating. For instance, I have successfully managed my anxiety—I bite my fingernails less and actively cope with my depression by practicing self-help strategies such as positive self-talk, talk therapy, journaling, yoga, and meditation. Moreover, I became deeply inspired to incorporate community service in my life while working as a Resident Assistant, where I have the liberty to create inclusive environments, provide valuable information to those in need, and contribute to the mental and emotional growth of campus students. I intend to continue serving those in need by providing help and support to those around me through mentoring and involvement in campus life programs. Keeping in mind the words of Jim Rohn, “Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.” Throughout my life, I have learned that some people care more about what you are rather than who you are. No matter your character some people will never look past the exterior to decide your worth. Needless to say, I know that every single person is more than just what they look like, where they come from, or who they love. Every person deserves a chance to show who they are and be seen. I look forward to opportunities where I can shine a light on underserved individuals and provide a sense of inspiration when the boxes provided do not match or address their needs.

Learning to utilize your resources is the most beneficial financial advice. I was cautioned, “If your only problem/reason for not doing something is money, you don’t have a problem.” I learned to find the resources needed to obtain what I desired. Developing and incorporating such advice, instilled perseverance at a young age which continues to open countless doors. Moreover, I understand where there is a will, there is a way. I have to uncover it. For instance, when my mother lost her job due to the pandemic, we did not allow such obstacles to interfere with my dream of obtaining an undergraduate degree. I did what I learned to do—utilized the resources available, applied, and secured the position of Resident Assistant to help with the family contribution. The first time I understood the power of utilizing my resources was as a freshman in high school. I wanted a Nintendo Switch. When I finally built up the nerve to ask for the gaming system, I encountered disappointment. My mother did not have the funds to get it. However, she did encourage me to—you guessed it—utilize my resources by packing up ALL the CDs stored in our garage to sell, and earn money to buy my own system. I even convinced family members to donate CDs to my cause. I am excited to inform you that you are reading the essay of the proud owner of a Nintendo Switch! The proof is in the pudding. I encourage others to adopt this financial tip because it teaches you to think outside the limitations. How do you think I found this website established to assist students with funding their education!? Again, I utilized my resources!