Obstacles by Nicole

Obstacles by Nicole - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

“You're too old. You’re a wife and mother. You’ve already tried and failed twice, why would this time be any different?”. Antagonistically, these words echo through the depths of my thoughts, and remind me that going back to school at thirty-one is absurd and unrealistic. Pushing doubt aside, I made the decision to try one more time, because this time I had focus, a goal and hope; I had my two children who would one day recognize through my accomplishments, anything is possible and to never give up on your dreams on account of doubt. Going back to college for a third time has been my greatest scholastic accomplishment to date because I have overcome many road blocks and emotional suffering to get to here .
In 2008 I was almost 23 the first time I decided to give college a try. I did very well my first quarter and passed all of my courses. However, my second quarter wasn’t as successful. I had been in a long term relationship for nearly 6 years with my high school boyfriend. The relationship was very one-sided on my part. He was an alcoholic and mentally and verbally abusive most of the time. By my second quarter I wasn’t strong enough to try anymore so I gave up my dream of a college education. 2010 was a new chapter. I had finally left my high school boyfriend, moved out west nearly two thousand miles away, where I would meet my future husband. We were married in 2011 and a year later I would have my second attempt at college.
The second attempt turned out to be just as bad as the first. I was dealing with stress, depression and anxiety which would later correlate to the years of abuse I was subjected to as a child and into adulthood with my previous high school relationship. I had hoped to use school as a distraction from my ailments however, my mental illness won and I dropped out of college for the second time. I was devastated by my failure and decided it was best to stop acquiring student loan debt and never go back to college again. It would be 4 years before I changed my mind for the last time.
After some treatment, the support of my husband and two babies later, by the spring of 2016 I decided to give my college dream one last try and I knew in my heart this time would be very different. This time I not only had control over my mental well being and a supportive husband, I now had two more reasons to fulfill my dream of getting a bachelor's degree. I had my two children who would look to me as a role model and I was compelled to finish what I started 8 years ago. As of today, I have successfully completed Fall quarter and ended with a 3.00. I am registered to start Winter quarter with another 15 credit full time schedule and I’m on track to apply for the Dental hygiene program next Fall. In addition to my college courses, I will adding community service to my growing resume by volunteering at the child care center on post; being that we are a Military family and our children attend there during my school hours I’m thrilled at the opportunity to offer my help. For the first time in my life, I’m proud of my success educationally and that I have overcome my many obstacles to get where I am today, which has led me to my greatest scholastic accomplishment thus far.