1. Difficult life challenges often impact the educational journey of a student. Describe a significant challenge that influenced your educational journey.

Being homeless influenced my educational journey in such a contradictory way. It impacted me negatively because it caused me to be distracted from doing well academically. I was overwhelmed and embarrassed about my situation so I slacked off drastically, which led my grades to drop almost to the point beyond recovery. Homelessness also influenced my educational journey positively because it also helped me realize that I shouldn’t allow my situation to affect my academics and it should give me even more reason to do better academically to show that my current situation will not be permanent. Being homeless influenced my educational journey positively by showing me that nothing can stop me and to not be prideful in any situation whether it be having a struggle in a class or having issues in my personal life, I will no longer be afraid to ask for help because it will always have a negative effect on what happens to me. 

2. What did you learn from that experience that will help you be successful at Florida State University?

My experiences taught me that I should never let my current situation determine my future because the small obstacles that I face will not be permanent and I will be able to succeed if I do not let it distract me from my goals. A key lesson I also learned that will assist me in being successful at Florida State University is that being prideful and not talking about how you feel and what you are going through can be detrimental because you feel like you are going through everything by yourself and a great amount of stress is placed upon you. I now know going forward towards Florida State University that nothing should interfere with my academics and the obstacles I am facing is only temporary. That obstacle was placed in my life for me to learn from and to realize that I can get through anything. That if I am ever faced with an obstacle big or small to only strive to do better and I will never let anything stop me from being successful at Florida State University. 

3. CARE provides students with a strong network of support and engagement opportunities while at FSU. Why do you want to be a member of CARE?

I want to be a member of CARE because I believe that having a strong network will help me be successful not only at Florida State University, but in the working world. My objective is to gain exponential experience. Being in National Beta Club, having a job, and volunteering has helped me network and understand how valuable it is to have a strong network around you. Being a member of CARE will allow me to be around other students who have experienced the same struggles I have and students who are motivated to be successful in life. I know being a member of CARE will allow me to always have a strong support system to get me through any obstacles I may face but will also allow me to be a support system for others and to help my fellow members of CARE get through any obstacles they may face. 

4. What makes you a great fit with CARE and the FSU community?

I would be an excellent fit to CARE and the FSU community because I am always open-minded, flexible, sociable, and willing to network and help others due to my work experience.Which requires me to always work as a team in order to complete tasks. I will always make sure to put in the extra effort so that I may help others in and outside of the CARE community. Simply because, I value strong support systems and know from experience that always having someone that is willing to help you get through any challenge you may face is very important to being successful. Being that I attend a predominantly black high school, attending FSU which has a wide variety of ethnicities will allow me to meet many students from various backgrounds and network to have a better perspective of the world in general.