I just recently saw a picture on Facebook saying something about in high school, April means thinking of prom and graduation, but April as a college student means finals, papers, and stress. Just a year ago, we were those kids excited to go to college and start our lives. We were those kids ready to take on the world in our own ways. We were ready for dorms, roommates, parties, and reckless behavior. Of course, everyone conquers their dreams differently. To be honest, for me at least, I am at the scariest point in my life so far. To me, that stage of life isn't what I want. I am more focused on being an established, confident, and independent female. I was that girl ready to leap into the deep end to take on the world.

For me, I was ready to take on independence. I am a girl with a very mature mentality. I turn 19 next month, and I constantly am being asked if I am in my mid-twenties. Even my therapist talks about how I am wiser than most my age. Anyway, I am 19, struggling for what I want without settling. I am getting the keys to my first apartment (with NO roommates!) this week. I am seeing a therapist to become confident and free from my past and depression. I am going to college to have my dream career. My major is something that I love more than life itself. It is the most exciting thing in the world to be "making it" at such a young age.

It's terrifying being out of high school, trying to figure out who to be and what to do. We discover that who we were in high school drastically changes when we choose a career path, a college, or a lifestyle that doesn't revolve around dependence of our parents. We watch our adolescent peers all choose different directions, some choose college close to home, some go hundreds of miles away, some follow their passions through the scholarships they got, join Greek life, or skip school all together. For me, I was a loner in high school. I chose Wright State as my new home because it was far enough where I could develop a person that was not defined by my hometown in any way. The mistakes I made wouldn't hold me back from what I have desperately wanted for a long time.

To those who are afraid of following their dreams, the results are the most magical feeling. Take it from me; I am a girl who comes from nothing. I was literally nothing in high school. I wanted to attempt suicide more than once, I was bullied to the point I was almost in courtrooms. I was that girl who ate lunch in the office to avoid stares and mean comments from the "popular kids". I was the girl that got asked out as a joke. I was on the Homecoming court my Senior year, supposedly as a joke. (By the way, that was such a fun experience and I wouldn't have changed it for the world!)

Anyway, my goal is the inspire ANYONE who doesn't think they are able to be someone, to make it on their own. YOU are capable of anything. It is far from easy and I promise you will fall down, but, I can promise if you want it bad enough, your life will be anything you want it to be. Don't be afraid to cry those tears of defeat on the bad days, however, embrace your power and take on each day because you are one day closer to where you want to be.

It doesn't matter who you were in high school or who you are at this moment. If you want something for yourself, do whatever it takes to get there. For me, it was moving away and forcing myself out of my comfort zone. Every day, I am pushing myself more and more outside of my comfort zone to be a confident, unstoppable female in this world. I have a long way to go, however, I am further than a lot of people my age.

This is my personal story and advice to anyone who needs the motivation to go out into the world and be awesome. Do NOT let fear hold you back. Life is a gift, accept it and do whatever you can with it.

Look at me, I am about to finish my freshman year of college. I was a full-time student while working full time, I found the best group of friends, I go to therapy (which doesn't make me weird, by the way), I have my first apartment, and I am happy all before the age of 19.

If I can make it, so can you. Push yourself. Love yourself. You have to believe in yourself and love yourself before anything else. I promise you have a place in this world, focus and it will fall into place. Don't be afraid to ask for help, no one can do it without help. Help isn't a weakness. Find your strengths and use them EVERY day.

I believe in you, please believe in yourself too.