I didn't notice until later in life that there is no such thing as being self-made. Behind every successful person, there is someone like a teacher, mentor, or family member that guided him or her through the way of success. Often so, they were there to make sure he or she did not make a mistake that could cause them to risk losing everything they were building. It is time to state the facts, not one person that is reading this, are who they are because of themselves. It is time to give credit where it is due and acknowledge those who took you under their wing or taught you something that made who you are now.

I remember when I sadly thought wherever I was in my life in that moment; I was there because of me. No one had given me anything that had helped me to be where I was. I remember when I achieved getting my diploma, something I thought I was never going to get, I felt self-made. I felt that I did it on my own, but it was never like that. I thought back to before I got my diploma and I remember so many people who were there for me. I think about the teachers who truly cared about their students and helped them, including myself, whenever we did not understand a math problem or needed help with writing a paper. Before a teacher handed me a new assignment, he or she would explain thoroughly about it and gives some useful tips that would help me get a good grade. If it wasn’t for the friends or family who would also help with my homework or bring me ideas on projects, I would never have graduated and gotten my diploma.

After graduating from high school, I went straight to college. The first day of college was exciting but I also was nervous. This was a whole different and new environment for me. I now felt like I was in the big time and I did not feel like I was going to last a semester. I was taking night classes at the time, so my first college experience was not the best one. There were not enough people in my class and the only people who were my classmates were elderly men and women. While I felt like quitting my first semester, there was a man in his 60s in my Intro to Photoshop class who sat by me. When we were working on a project, he would often help me out if was ever confused about what I was doing. Sometimes, he would see I was frustrated and ask me what I was trying to accomplish on my project. I would tell this elderly man and he would show me the shortcuts on how to achieve what I was trying to do. My teacher in Photoshop was also very helpful and I developed a good friendship with this man. When we would talk, he would advise me to learn as much as I can and that it is never too late to be what you want to be.

These people that have been in my life, are the reason why I am here today. I have my diploma and my degree thanks to those who showed they cared by the actions they took. I hope the way I see these people who helped me to get where I am is the way people today in my life see me. I hope that anyone who is reading this sits back after finishing this article and thinks of all the people in their life and see clearly what I see. You are not self-made; someone believed in you…They believed that you could shine just like any one else.