For as long as I can remember, family, friends, and teachers have always asked this question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As a kid, your typical answers are usually the same as every other kid your age. Most answers change as you get older. Some students still don't know what they want to do going into college. Some think they know until they start their classes and realize that's no longer what they want. For me, becoming a nurse has always been my answer. As many know, nursing isn't the easiest major to get into. The endless hours of homework, studying, lack of a social life and millions of note cards later, this is still my dream career.

Freshman year of college, my classes were a piece of cake. I wasn't worried, and I knew I had this under control. Then, sophomore year came around and changed my perspective. Classes were hard and I really struggled. The dreadful subject of chemistry made me question everything I ever wanted in my life. Fall semester, I had to take just your general chemistry. It started out kind of simple, but then it smacked me in the face out of nowhere. I sat in class and wondered what in the world I was writing down. Long story short, I got a D. For nursing students, a D is failing. Lucky me, right? I had never failed a class before and I was devastated.

Spring semester, I had to take the even more dreadful, organic chemistry. It's pretty discouraging when you walk into class the first day and your professor says, "Don't worry, everyone fails organic." Oh -- OK. Another long story short, I got a D in that class too. At this point, I was losing faith in my ability to become a nurse. I had no idea what my next step was and I thought my dream was over. I started looking into other majors, different schools and even giving up altogether. As I was scrolling through different majors and looking into careers I could get into, I realized I was never going to be happy with myself or my life if I chose to go a different path. Who was I kidding? Nursing is and has always been my dream.

I realized that retaking classes wasn't that big of a deal. Having to go to school an extra year isn't the end of the world. If you or anyone you know is having a hard time following through with their dreams, tell them to stop and think for a minute. If you are passionate about something, but continue to fail, know you aren't alone and know that it is OK. Dreams don't always come easy and sometimes they take a lot of hard work. Trying over and over again and not giving up shows how determined you are to get the job done. Not giving up makes you so strong. I promise that the outcome will be incredible. Don't take the easy way out. Persevere and know that you can do anything you set your mind to, even if you come upon some obstacles. Believe in yourself and believe in the faith of God and everything will happen the way it is supposed to.