Determined to Succeed
Brenna Shultz
2024 Future Alumni Essay Contest Winner
Growing up, I always knew that life would present me with countless challenges that I would have to learn and adapt to in order to overcome. Due to personal issues that I have faced, my inner strength has flourished, and my subsequent determination urges me to keep moving forward no matter what problems are revealed. Each day, I find myself taking steps to meet goals, leading me closer and closer to achieving my dreams of eventually earning a bachelor's degree.
To reach my goal of obtaining a bachelor's degree, I made the decision to attend Trident Technical College, as this was the best choice for me. I chose Trident because not only is it affordable, but it holds qualities that greatly support my ambitions in life. Some of these qualities include meaningful education, the development of necessary skills, a welcoming environment, and the list goes on.
Finding a college that maintains such qualities was highly important for me because I hold myself responsible for meeting educational goals. The high expectations I have of myself can be attributed to the fact that I was raised as a military brat. Regardless of my proudness of the title, it comes at a price. Consistently moving multiple times to different areas in various states, including abroad, definitely takes a toll on an individual. I found it hard to make friends, especially as I got older, and it was even harder to leave close friends behind. It was also heartbreaking to rarely be able to visit family in my hometown.
Despite the negative aspects of life as a military child, I was in a position to take these experiences and use them for good. I have developed a rare and unique outlook on life that not many people can relate to because of my involvement in different cultural aspects across the United States and abroad. Moreover, I learned the value of possessing a powerful support system and throughout my time at Trident, I have aimed to create amazing connections with faculty, staff, and fellow students. These relationships have boosted the faith I have in myself and significantly contribute to my success presently as well as in the future.
Unfortunately, on top of constantly moving and being enthralled into different cultures, I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the mere age of two. This disease is a chronic illness and causes issues that interfere with my day-to-day activities. Due to the required moves that accompany life in the military, I was also forced to continuously switch between different treatments, medications, and doctors. This imposed hard challenges on me growing up and I remember wishing there were a magical cure somewhere in the world that could help me.
But again, I did not let any obstacles prevent me from moving forward to reach the goals I had set for myself. I have learned incredible lessons because of my disability, and I like to think that in spite of the tough challenges I have faced because of it, it has allowed me to grow stronger as a person. Furthermore, it has taught me the value of accomplishing my dreams and I believe I stand as an example of pure resilience and tenacity.
To me, success incorporates not only the result of hard work and dedication, but also the roller coaster of a journey that I will have to endure to meet my goals. I think that along the way of fulfilling dreams, there are innumerable lessons to be learned that positively enhance character and uplift the community. My education at Trident Technical College is continuously helping me move forward with my wish to attain a bachelor’s degree by providing endless opportunities and ways of improving myself. With the encouragement found at TTC, I am confident that I will persist in forever chasing my dreams.