Being a single mother has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, but it has also been one of the most meaningful. Raising a child on my own while trying to build a better future has taught me that strength is not about never feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, strength is simply getting up the next day and choosing to keep going. As a mother, there are responsibilities that cannot be put on hold. There are always needs to meet, things to take care of, and someone depending on me. At the same time, I am trying to focus on my education and build a future for myself and my child. Balancing school, parenting, work, and everyday life has not always been easy. There have been nights when I was exhausted, stressed, and wondering how I was going to manage everything. There have been moments when giving up seemed easier than continuing. But whenever I feel that way I remind myself of why I started. My child is one of the biggest reasons I continue my education. I want to create a stable and better life for us. I want to have opportunities that will allow me to provide for my child and give them the things they deserve. Overall, I want my child to see me as an example of what it means to persevere. I want him to understand that life may not always go the way we planned, but that does not mean we stop believing in ourselves or stop pursuing our dreams. Thankfully, being a single mother has changed me. It has made me more patient, responsible, independent, and determined. I have learned that I cannot always wait for the perfect time or perfect circumstances. Sometimes, you have to move forward even when you are tired, uncertain, or afraid. I have learned to celebrate small victories because I know how much effort it takes to achieve them. I am not pursuing my education only to earn a degree. I am pursuing it because I want a better future for my child and for myself. I want my child to grow up knowing that his mother worked hard, faced difficult moments, and never gave up on the life she wanted for her family. My journey as a single mother has not been easy, but it has given my life a deeper purpose. Every step I take toward my education is a step toward a future filled with greater stability, opportunity, and hope. No matter how difficult the journey becomes, I will keep moving forward for myself, and for the child who gives me every reason to keep going.

For me, education is more than just getting a degree. It is a chance to change my life and create a better future for myself and my child. I have been through things that have made me stronger than I ever thought I could be. Growing up in poverty, losing both of my parents and my older sister, and raising a child on my own have not been easy. There have been many moments when giving up would have been the easier choice, but I have always found a reason to keep going. Accounting has been a passion of mine for a very long time. I chose this field because I enjoy working with numbers and solving problems, but I also want to use my career to help people. My goal is to earn my CPA and eventually become a forensic accountant. I want to be able to use my knowledge to investigate financial crimes, uncover fraud, and help people and businesses who may have been taken advantage of. Knowing that my career could make a difference for someone else is one of the things that motivates me to keep pursuing this path. Getting my education will give me the opportunity to turn that passion into a career. I know there will be difficult classes, long nights, and moments when I question myself, but I also know that I have already overcome things that were much harder. My experiences have taught me how to keep moving forward even when life does not go the way I planned. As a parent, one of my biggest motivations is my child. I want to be able to provide a stable life for my child and give them opportunities that I did not always have growing up. I also want my child to see that no matter what life puts in front of you, you should never stop working toward your goals. I want to be an example that hard times do not have to define your future. My education will change my life by giving me the knowledge, career opportunities, and independence to build the life I have always wanted. I cannot change the losses I have experienced or the circumstances I grew up in, but I can choose what I do with those experiences. They have made me stronger and more determined. I am ready to keep pushing forward, earn my degree, become a CPA, and eventually become a forensic accountant. Most of all, I want to build a future that my child and I can be proud of.

How My College Education Will Change My Life I never thought going to college was in the book of life for me, especially at 38 years old. As I have matured emotionally and mentally, I know now that going to college unfolds a second chance and the opportunity to build a better future for my family and I. As a first generation college student, obtaining my degree will be proof that hard work, dedication and resilience can change your life. Growing up in poverty was not easy. The struggles I have faced has shaped me to the person I am today. I learned how to keep going even when things were difficult. I learned how to appreciate every opportunity I have received. Losing both parents at a young age was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. Not having my parents there to guide me through important moments in my life created challenges that I had to overcome on my own. For a long time, I only focused on getting the the responsibilities that were in front of me. College was something that I have always wanted, but it was also something I did not think I could achieve. The older I became, I realized that my circumstances did not have to decide my future. My college education will change my life by giving me the opportunity to build stability and reach goals that I once felt were a far fetch from reality. Earning my degree in accounting will help me build a career and provide a better life for my family. Not to mention, it will give me the confidence knowing that I have overcame obstacles that could have stopped me. Being the first person in my family to graduate from college is something that means a lot to me. I want to show my child that your beginning does not determine your ending. I want my child to see that hard work and determination can open the right doors. My journey has not been easy, but every challenge I have faced has made me stronger. The loss I have experienced and the hardships I have overcame are part of my story, but they are not the end of my story. My college education is the beginning of a new chapter. The chapter where I create opportunities and break generational barriers. The chapter where I build a future that I can be proud of.

Going back to school at 38 years old wasn’t a decision that I made overnight. The thought quietly built over time. Shaped by responsibility, reflection, and a growing sense that I wanted more for myself, for my child, and for our future. For years, my life revolved around survival. I worked, paid bills, and did what I had to do to keep things moving. Like a numerous amount of adults, I put my own goals on the back burner because it never seemed to be the right time. There were always responsibilities to handle first. Somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that going back to school was something I had missed my chance at, almost making myself believe that it was something meant for younger people with fewer obligations. Desperately needing change for a stable future, as time kept passing me I knew the time was now. Realizing that staying in my current situation felt riskier than trying something new. I wanted long term stability, I wanted a career instead of just a job. I wanted to be able to plan, to grow, and to know that my hard work could actually lead somewhere. Accounting stood out to me because it offered structure, consistency, and opportunity. Those being the qualities that I value deeply after years of uncertainty. Another motivator is my child. I realized that the example I was setting mattered more than the words I spoke. I wanted to show that it’s never too late to learn, to change direction, or to invest in yourself. I want my child to see perseverance in action, to see that challenges don’t mean the end of the road, but sometimes the beginning of a new one. Choosing to go back to school was my way of saying that growth doesn’t stop just because life gets hard. At 38, I bring something to school that I didn’t have at 18, which is perspective. I know why I’m here and I don’t take this opportunity lightly. Every assignment, every late night, and every sacrifice has meaning because I understand what it took to get here. I’m building a future with intention. Returning to school has been a personal promise to myself. A promise that my dreams are still valid. A promise that I am capable of learning, adapting, and succeeding at any stage of my life. I chose to go back to school because I was ready. Ready to grow, ready to invest in my future, and ready to prove to myself that it’s never too late to start again.

The role of a father figure does not always have to be the person who brings you into the world. For me, that role became especially meaningful after the loss of my biological father. His passing left a space in my life that felt overwhelming at times, but it was my stepfather who stepped into that space with patience, consistency, and genuine care. Losing my biological father was difficult and confusing. It brought grief at an early age and a sense of absence that never fully disappears. During that time, my stepfather did not try to erase that loss or replace my father’s memory. Instead, he respected it. He understood that love doesn’t come from forcing a bond, it comes from being present and dependable when it matters most. What makes my stepfather special is how quietly he chose responsibility. He showed up every day during milestones, celebrations, and in the ordinary moments that truly shape a life. He helped with schoolwork, offered advice when I was unsure of myself, and provided stability when emotions ran high. Through his actions, he taught me that being a father figure means choosing to care, even when it’s not required. To me, that's a stand up father figure. He also taught me resilience. When I struggled or made mistakes, he didn’t judge or criticize me harshly. He encouraged growth and accountability. He believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself, and that belief pushed me to keep moving forward. Those lessons have stayed with me as I navigate adulthood, parenthood, and returning to school at this point in my life. As a single parent, there's always times where I reflect on the examples he has set. His patience, work ethic, and commitment to family guide how I raise my own child. He showed me that family is built through love, trust, and consistency. His presence helped heal the loss I experienced and gave me a sense of security during a time when I needed it most, in which I am forever grateful of him. Though my biological father will always be part of my story, my stepfather became the steady foundation that helped shape who I am today. He did not replace what was lost, he added something just as meaningful. His choice to love, support, and stand by me has made a lasting impact on my life, and for that, he will always be my father figure.

Hello my name is Sade Phillips. My journey with mental health has been shaped by significant loss, resilience, and growth. Over the course of my life, I have experienced the passing of my older sister, my mother, my father, my grandmother, my aunt, my uncle, and my nephew. Each loss left a mark on my heart, and together they forced me to confront grief at an early and repeated stage of my life. These experiences deeply affected my mental health, but they also transformed how I see the world, how I build relationships, and how I define my goals. For a long time, grief felt isolating. I struggled with anxiety, sadness, and moments of emotional exhaustion as I tried to navigate life while carrying so much loss. However, these challenges pushed me to develop self-awareness and emotional strength. I learned that mental health is not a weakness. It's an ongoing journey that requires compassion, honesty, and support. Through counseling, reflection, and faith, I began to understand my emotions instead of suppressing them. My relationships have been shaped by this understanding. I value meaningful connections and empathy, knowing firsthand how fragile life can be. I show up more intentionally for the people I love. I communicate openly, and offer grace to others who are struggling silently. Loss taught me the importance of presence, patience, and kindness. My experiences have shaped my goals. I am driven to build a stable, purpose filled life rooted in healing, growth, and service. I want to honor the memory of those I have lost by living fully, supporting others, and breaking cycles of pain. My mental health journey has given me perspective, resilience, and a deeper understanding of the world, one that values hope, healing, and the power of perseverance. Thank you for the time and space yo allow me to express myself.