Being a non-traditional college student looks excellent on paper. However, it has greatly impacted my college career in many ways. No one in my family has attended college. My mother did not even complete high school. Being the first person to attend college puts pressure on you, which most students do not experience. Most students are fortunate enough to have a family that understands the usual pressure of college and the dedication it requires. Other students are fortunate enough to have familial financial help, but I do not. This means that others have the opportunity not to have to work extensively during college, can focus on school, and maybe work a part-time job for fun money. I always wanted to go to college. I saw my family members struggle financially and work very physically demanding jobs to make ends meet due to not having a college degree. I knew I wanted more options and opportunities that only a college degree could afford me. Originally, my family supported this and encouraged me to progress in my education. However, since discussing things I am learning with them, they now see my college education as arrogance. I love learning and will consider getting my degree the biggest accomplishment in my life. The College has been a very large financial burden. As a non-traditional student, I have had to work up to 3 jobs just to pay all of my bills and for school/school materials. I do not get any familial financial help and have gotten lower financial aid because the application states that "you must have a familial contribution." luckily, that has changed recently on the application. Still, I have never been able to put anything other than "0". I did not have a laptop for the first 2 years of school because I could not afford one. Like my peers, I was laughed at for taking notes in a notebook with a pen instead of a MacBook. I have always bought second-hand textbooks when possible and have had to go without certain books because I could not afford them. My peers get to focus on school alone, and some have higher GPAs because of it. I am glad they can, but I could not. Sometimes, work had to come first so that I could survive. My college timeline differs from traditional students because I have had to support myself and my family. I hope to complete my bachelor's, pursue an MSW, and obtain LCSW licensing. College has taken me longer to finish than most, but I know when I do, it will all be worth it, and my family will be proud. Most importantly, I am proud of myself.

My mother always said, "Give yourself and others grace even if you do not know why they need it." We often experience someone else with road rage, a bad attitude, or acting out in public. My mother would tell me when I was frustrated, "You never know what someone is going through." These words have stuck with me throughout my life. In school, I always tried to find the other kid who sat alone, looked sad, or seemed like an outcast because I knew what that felt like. I always wanted to make others feel better or offer an ear to listen. I wanted to treat everyone as though they had needs that were either unmet or unseen. I have made lasting friendships and connections because of this. I am the second oldest of 5, and I encouraged my younger siblings to do the same. Always treat everyone kindly and show compassion, even in anger or frustration. Since starting my bachelor's degree path in social work, I have learned so much about recognizing the needs of others and not seeing myself as any "all-knowing" person with all the answers. But to be a kind, compassionate person who helps the person in need understand their needs and help them find a path with the tools that set them up for success. I have also learned that many needs are often not surface level and require additional resources and trust to understand the person in need. Mental health needs can be invisible to the outside world but not to those dealing with it. I try to create a safe space for interaction, conversation, and expression. Understanding different mental health needs and presentations has helped me understand how certain needs may be presented and the effects of mental health conditions on the person in need. I have furthered my education to learn more about mental health conditions, cultural competencies, socioeconomic impacts on mental healthcare, and access to mental healthcare for different communities. Learning about all of these topics has helped me understand not only certain mental health needs but also the impacts of the environment a person lives in on their mental health. By understanding a person's environment, I can better understand their needs completely rather than a short-term bandaid. My goal is to help set others up for long-term success. The most important actions I take to make a positive impact are to be kind, attentively listen to others, and show compassion for their experiences and needs.

I have read a lot of books throughout my life. However, the one book I would have everyone read is "The Body Keeps the Score." I would choose this book because I believe every reader could find a relatable portion of the book. It discusses pain, trauma, triumph, and acceptance. Everyone has lived through or experienced a negative event or interaction. This book discusses the physical effects of these events on our bodies, how to understand them, and how to accept and overcome them while caring for our bodies. The book is also not extremely difficult to read, so it could be readable and easier to follow for some than other books. I have experienced both physical and mental abuse in my lifetime and finally understand the physical toll it has taken on my body because of this book. It has also helped me realize there is not something wrong with me, but something happened that caused these negative ailments. I believe this book could benefit many people, and although many might not care, it could help some understand the physical ailments they face daily. Ailments such as IBS, anger issues, anxiety, and many others. Those who do not have open access to healthcare may never get an explanation or have an understanding of these physical issues but struggle with them their entire life. This book explains why we have these problems and how we can handle them and move forward with them. Overall, this book positively impacted my health, emotions, and well-being. I believe it could do the same for others as well.