In high school, I thought I was the best I'll ever be because I went to school, practice, work, the gym, and still managed to receive good grades. Even though I was very productive, I wasn't the best person I could be. I didn't love myself, I didn't know my self-worth, I wasn't a good friend, and I wasn't very accepting of other people.

The summer after my senior year of high school, I was in a very severe accident where I was ten minutes away from death. My stay in the hospital lasted 30 days. During these 30 days, I spent a lot of my time crying, being angry, and exploring myself. I thought heavily about who I am and who I wanted to be. I was no where close to anything I aspired to be. But, even though I knew what I was and wasn't, I still lacked the motivation to make a difference.

Going to college in a different state than I lived in was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Being around a new environment has taught me a lot about new people. Being exposed to students from around the country has allowed me to learn the ways of their life and their culture. There's better music to listen to, new hobbies I have acquired, and friends who support making responsible decisions.

Dealing with tragedies over the last year has allowed me to be grateful of everyone in my life. Whether they are in my life to teach me a lesson or to be a blessing. I have had friends who have made me feel useless, I also have ones who remind me of my self-worth and taught me self-love.

Checking in with my friends has been something I do frequently, because sometimes you never know what's going on behind closed doors and what they put on social media. The phone works both ways and relationships will only succeed with effort.

Everything happens for a reason even I do not understand it at the time. It prepares me to be stronger, resilient, and will teach me valuable life lessons. Instead of asking myself "Why?" I ask myself "What is this teaching me?" Being more positive instead of the negative in rough situations will change you into a more positive person. Being positive will result into being productive and happy.

I have never been so involved with the community, my campus, and joined clubs I wasn't originally interested in. I write to express my feelings instead of complaining, I picked up English as a minor - which I was told I would never pass an English writing course in college. I joined a sorority, which I swore to myself I never would, that I love and am applying for positions within. I volunteer my time to the community, and am a mentor for younger students. I am creating myself to be a role model and someone who inspires others to make changes.

Only you can change the brightness of your future and the opportunities you will allow yourself to find. Working hard and researching will cause a chain reaction of greatness. Being bitter will do you no good, and will affect every aspect of your life; from your mental health, to physical health, to your everyday interactions with your peers.

I am the best version of myself and I love who I am. I never let anyone determine who I am besides myself.