Navigating Academic Hurdles
Pursuing my biochemistry degree was challenging, especially the academic difficulties. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t have family guidance, which made navigating higher education tough. I often had to teach myself in courses where professors lacked strong teaching skills, simply reading from slides and overcomplicating topics. This experience pushed me to study more effectively and to formulate specific questions for professors. Once I started doing that, it became much easier to keep up.
Another obstacle was class scheduling conflicts, which initially made me panic about completing my degree in four years. So, I sat down with my degree planner and mapped out the next four years. After that, picking classes each semester became the least stressful part of my academic journey.
The Unwavering Support of 10,000 Degrees
10,000 Degrees has been incredibly helpful throughout my college journey, providing a supportive outlet whenever I needed it. The Zoom meetings and meet-ups were always relaxing because I got to catch up with Sam, who I truly adore. I could share my college experiences with someone who genuinely listened, and it was fun to talk about personal aspects of our lives and just have casual conversations. I appreciated being able to express myself freely without worrying about judgment or being treated differently for having a different opinion. 10,000 Degrees has supported me in more ways than I can count; I’m eternally grateful for everything they’ve done and provided. Their financial support for the past four years has been a huge relief, and just having them as an outlet to connect with people has been invaluable.
Growth Through Challenge
Attending college has shown me who truly supports me and who is only around for personal gain. These past four years have been tough; I’ve lost friends and family, but I’ve also learned independence—how to be okay by myself. This journey has been hard due to a lack of personal support, but the few people who stood by me motivated me to keep pushing toward graduation. This experience has either brought people closer or pushed them away, but either way, it’s helped me grow and become a better person.
I am the first in my family to get my high school diploma and my bachelor’s degree, and I’m incredibly proud of that. It’s been a long couple of years, and I’ve always wanted to do better than what my parents could achieve, and to do better for my own future kids.
Inspiring the Next Generation
I want to change the world by creating spaces where people, especially young Black students, feel seen, heard, and supported. My own college journey, with its challenges of lacking personal support and navigating systems not built for people like me, taught me strength, independence, and resilience. I want to use my story to inspire and uplift others who may feel alone. I want to break cycles of doubt and open doors for the next generation. My goal is to be the kind of support I wish I had more of because everyone deserves to feel like they belong and can succeed. I believe in the power of education to change lives because it allows you to do something better for yourself and set an example for others. I am ONE Degree of Change because I’ve turned my struggles into strength, used every setback as fuel, and now want to set an example for others who feel unseen or unheard, especially those like me, paving a path as a first-generation college graduate.