A few months ago, I could have never imagined graduating high school. I was one out of two hundred students in the dual credit program at Richland College. Switching from being a regular student at Berkner high school to college-level classes was a weird experience for me. However, it was somehow easier during 2020. That was the case until I sat in a classroom stressing over if I would pass the class. It was an endless loop of worrying over the workload, and then that stress turned into a depression. Ultimately, that caused more work to pile up. By the end of the semester, my advisor emailed me that we needed to talk. My fingers went cold, and my stomach felt like it wanted to jump off a bridge. As I was walking to his office, all I could feel was regret. I dreaded the sound of him telling me that I was out of the program and that I wouldn't be able to graduate with them. A swirl of emotions hit me as he kept droning on about how it wasn't as bad as I might think it was. Winter break hit right after I skipped all of my exams. I couldn't bring myself to walk into the classrooms that I felt betrayed me. I couldn't face the professors I had let down. I kept making excuses as to why I couldn't keep up. It ranged from my sister's runaway/drug problems to working too many hours. Ultimately I had to admit to myself that I caused it. I didn't put more effort into it. I let family problems get in the way. I was to blame for my actions but I was also responsible for my reactions. In the end, I had to make it right. So I found another program that would let me recover all of my missing and failed credits. I worked early mornings and late nights as I tried to catch up on every missing piece. Then it finally happened. Finally, on May 26th, 2022, I officially graduated from the program. I felt a wave of happiness flood over me as I looked at my diploma. I knew that this paper, and every obstacle it took to get me there, was worth it. It made me feel more prepared for the challenges ahead. I learned so many lessons about having better judgment, what time management is, and even that I can always fix my problems. Even if it means taking a bit longer than expected. All I can hope for myself in the future is I hold on to these lessons and maybe not let my work back up. I know that doing a little bit every day is better than doing it all at once.