I can't count how many times I've been told that I do too much, whether it be in school, work, or even just in extracurricular activities. I've heard it from family, friends, and even strangers who ask me about my day. However, no one seems to believe that I do know my personal limits of what I can and cannot handle. I can understand and even respect to a point that those same people care about my wellbeing, but that does not mean I have to agree with their assessment of myself. That extends to anyone and everyone else who has ever experienced the same situation in which I constantly find myself. Now, I am not writing about this to offend those or "bite the hand" because I do appreciate the fact that these people care about me enough to worry about myself. I am just explaining how I spend my time is nothing to worry about.
The things I choose to involve myself in are extensions of my upbringing, my opinions, and my beliefs. They make up who I am as a person. At my high school, before I graduated, I took the most challenging classes that were available to me including Honors, Advanced Placement, and college level courses. I also took part in extracurricular activities such as Project Unify and Beta Club, while also starting up my own club and serving as its President. Beyond classes and clubs, I played one year of Varsity softball for my high school. Once school was done for the day, however, I would work at one of three jobs I had throughout my high school career. After I would clock out, I would go home, reheat my dinner and start on my homework. Although there were many rough days and sleepless nights, I wouldn't take back even one minute of it because it taught me so many valuable life lessons and led me to where I am today.
Now, I am a double major in Justice Studies and Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity with a minor in Leadership Studies. I am also a Leadership Fellow and the Vice President in my sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. I currently serve as the Secretary of both the College Republicans and the Cyber Forensics Club. I am a student in the Honors Program and work my own hours as part of the Work-Study Program under the head of the Justice Department. When I have any free time, I volunteer with the Student Activities Committee and the Campus Ministry as a volunteer for on-campus activities and as a tutor at a nearby elementary school, respectively.
Even though I have no idea what is in store for me, I know that it will be worth all of the hard work that I am putting in now and I can't wait to see what my future will be like because of it. My long-term plans are to attend graduate school in Washington, D.C., while beginning my career at a nearby government agency as a digital forensics examiner. Before I graduate from Methodist University, however, I hope to gain experience from at least one internship directly related to my field and to study abroad for one semester.
Until my dreams have been reached, I will continue to strive for them and for the ones I achieve along the way, I will have new dreams to take their place.
