Keeping up with the Joneses by Ariana

Keeping up with the Joneses by Ariana - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

College is synonymous with lack of sleep, studying, "all nighters", partying, the Greek system, etc. I classify college as the time I had the most personal growth. When you step on campus for the first time, you realize that you are officially on your own. Naturally one struggles and makes a few wrong turns, but it is what you do to build yourself back up that matters. I personally pay for college, housing, food, and other living expenses on my own. This experience is what I am most thankful for. I have learned to grow up, and be responsible much quicker than if everything was given and done for me.
My friends were not in the same financial situation as me. I definitely struggled with the fact that I could not participate in everything they did, because I could not afford it. However, now I am thankful that I learned how to manage money instead of trying to "keep up with the Joneses".
For three years of my college career I rented a house. I learned how to pay utility bills every month, clean a full house, do all my laundry (correctly), cook, pay rent, and fix things around the house. I did not have a laundry service, or parents who paid all my bills for me. These tasks greatly influenced growing up and becoming more responsible. I have friends now that have no idea how to manage money, or how to run a household. I see them making mistakes that I learned when I was eighteen, and now at the age of twenty-three I can help teach them how to be responsible on their own.
I may have taken a few wrong turns myself, but now I could not be happier with who I have become. Learning to be financially responsible during college will always be the greatest experience I had. I am going to school for nursing currently, and work full time. I would have never been able to handle being a full time student, and working full time if I did not have my prior experiences in balancing responsibilities. I may have to work full time, and take random side jobs when I can to make ends meet, but that is the only way to keep my head above water.