I am a first-year student at The Ohio State University originally studying neuroscience on the pre-med track, but now on the path to studying nursing. I am from a small town outside of Cleveland, called Aurora, where I live with my family of which I am the oldest of four children. Up until about two months ago, I had wanted to be a doctor, specifically working with either children or babies. Once I got to college, something hit me, and I realized I did not want to spend another 10+ years of my life in school, taking organic chemistry and physics. I realized that path was no longer for me. Because I still wanted to go into the medical field, I chose nursing, and ever since the thought popped into my head, I have not looked back. I am determined to follow this path through. The man in this picture at my high school graduation is my dad. He passed away only a month later. He inspired me and motivated me to do my best in school, and is half the reason I achieved to my best ability. Without him now, I have to keep his memory and everything I learned from him in my heart, and use all he has ever taught me to achieve now in college. He knew I could reach my dream of going to medical school, and now that I have realized that I do not want to go anymore, I have to make him proud by succeeding in a career of nursing. He is my main motivation still for all of the tests I have to take, reports I have to write, and projects I have to complete, and I know he will be there in spirit at my college graduation, just like he was there physically for me at my high school graduation. I cannot wait to see where this college journey leads me on the path of life.