I had always worked hard in every class I was in. I would put in every ounce of effort at all times to not only prove to myself but to prove to teachers that I wanted to learn. I was a hard-working and diligent student.

I am just like much of you. I have spent hours and hours studying, preparing weeks in advance for an exam or an assignment. I have put in the time in office hours, tutoring, and meeting with professors outside of their office hours to better my education. I have done everything I possibly could to succeed with all I could.

I had a few professors that had given me problems along the way along with professors that were amazing. I always found a way to get through and keep pushing on.

But then there was one professor who differed entirely.

A professor in an elective class that made me second guess my capabilities as a student.

I had missed school for a good amount of time due to personal reasons. Professors worked alongside me in trying to catch up as much as I could. But this particular professor at first had told me to drop the class entirely. For I could not be properly graded if I was not ‘physically’ there.

I refused due to two reasons. One, I needed this class to make me a full-time student and to fulfill my degree requirements. Two, I never give up. My professor had just given me a challenge.

That was the first time that I had been asked to drop a course and I was appalled entirely. Did the professor not think that I was capable of completing this course? Or achieving it to the best of abilities? Despite the obstacles that I was given in life that I had no choice about?

Well, I was about to prove her wrong.

When I came back to school, I met with the professor and we talked about the things I would have to do to equate to the students that had been there. This included going to various events and writing papers to doing presentations despite the rest of the class not having to do the same. Mind you, I had four other classes that I also had to make up for.

She made me work for it. Non-stop. And to say it was exhausting is an understatement. There were times where I was a ball of frustration and tears. It was probably the most stressed out I had ever been about a class, let alone an elective.

But I did every single thing and I went above and beyond.

I made sure that my presentations were on point and creative. That every assignment was thorough and turned in on time. I would email or meet with the professor whenever an issue arose or I had questions. I worked my ass off and eventually it showed.

At the last class, every student was huddled around talking about their future endeavors in the summer or how much they would miss the class. The professor asked the class to quiet as she spoke about how great of a class this was. Amongst her speech, she mentioned my name.

How she had suggested that I should drop the course and how I had been very adamant about that not happening. She described how I kept working hard to obtain the best grade I could and how it was a privilege to have me in her class.

That's what hard work and dedication led to. In spite of my professor second guessing me as a student, I rose above and I showed her and myself that I am capable of absolutely anything.