Most of us do not remember the first time we made it to the potty in time, rendering our quest for bathroom training a success, nor do we remember the first time we were able to write our name or tie a shoe. However, despite our amnesia towards early childhood, from the time we escape the confines of mommy’s tummy we are surrounded with tasks or milestones, which, upon completion, define success. From the minute a baby is born a hypothetical success meter is tied around their ankle in order to compute their level of success. First word, seven months; success. First steps, two months past expectations; failure. The social requirement to succeed follows an infant from toddler to teen to college to career. But what really defines success? Can the answer really be that success is only defined by completing the socially defined steps of life, what our parents, teachers or employers set forth as necessary to succeed? For someone who values those ideals then sure, success can very well be following the yellow brick road that mommy and Mr. Man have paved. But real success is not meeting the goals of others, but rather living up to the ideals that are inherent to the person we all know as I. Call me silly, but to me true success is measured by no one other than the person who is in fact trying to succeed. My success is on my terms; that is what I believe.
I recently transferred from a community college where I began my secondary education to the university where I have dreamt of attending since high school. This seems normal and nothing more than an ordinary transfer until I disclose the fact that the school is a private institution costing around twenty-five thousand dollars a year. My family’s financial situation is in no shape to pay the tuition of a state or community college let alone a private school that costs more than an arm and a leg. My mother works two jobs just to pay for our necessities, we don’t have an extra 25k lying around. I met with an admissions counselor at my new school just to see how far my 3.5 GPA would take me and I left the meeting with a smile that tickled my ears; SUCCESS full ride! Or so I thought. I registered for classes dismissed offers from other, cheaper schools and prepared to attend the school of my choice. My award notice arrived approximately two weeks after the application deadline for other schools. The letter informed me that the scholarship that I had been promised was no longer being offered by the university and I owed A LOT of money. My success had quickly turned into a very expensive failure. I learned immediately to make my own success. Despite the fact that my school dug me a ditch and tossed me in it, I enjoy my classes and love my professors. I am exactly where I want to be and regardless of money have reached my goals in terms of school; I am successful.
Despite having received an essentially nonexistent scholarship, being forced to find alternative funds and incurring massive amounts of debt, I am happy. My grades are excellent, my future is bright and I have met every goal that I have set for myself; I am successful. If you define success the way I do, then happiness and success are not mutually exclusive, they come as a package deal. If you are the one who defines your success, how could you not be happy when you succeed? If you let someone or something else define your terms, then sure maybe its possible to be successful and unhappy. Although, how can you really consider anyone successful if they are unhappy, it doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t happiness be an intrinsic quality of the word success? A philosopher named Ralph Waldo Emerson sums up the idea of success in one very philosopher like, yet fairly simple quote; “I fear the popular notion of success stands in direct opposition in all points to the real and wholesome success. One adores public opinion, the other, private opinion; one, fame, the other, desert; one, feats, the other, humility; one, lucre, the other, love; one, monopoly, and the other, hospitality of mind.”
I am SO excited to be one of the 60 essays chosen for this contest! I hope you all enjoy reading my essay!
Nicole, What a vibrant essay. I felt I was reading the prelude to a best seller. I’m not surprised your essay was one of 60 essays chosen. It was fantastic! Good Luck. Love Ya,
What an incredible writing.. to echo others thoughts.. yes you do make your Dad proud!! Keep going on your path.. you obviously have a gift..many words of wisdom & much to offer the world! Keep going forward with no resistance… I’ll be proud to buy one of your books in near future! xoxo
Congratulations on being picked as one of the 60 essays chosen for this contest. I am so happy and proud to be your Grammy. You have a goal and you are not going to let anything nor anyone stand in your way. You go get them, sweetheart. I love you very much, Grammy x0x0x0x0
I’m glad you are focusing on keeping your grades up. It’s a solid initiative, so don’t listen to anybody who tries to poo poo good grades as something not worthwhile because they are. You want every possible opportunity when you graduate.
In time, 25K/yr will seem less painful after you find a job and bolster your savings. Keep up the good work!
congratulations nicole!!! I’m so proud of you and would really love for you to win this.. you deserve it! After all the hard work you’ve put into school and continue to do, this would be a great way to celebrate :) Good luck!
I wish you best success. And good luck trying to find more scholarships. There are thousands out there like this one, but you have to keep digging to find them!
I am so proud of how well you’re doing in school! You have been working so hard towards your goals, and your success is a great accomplishment. Follow your dreams! You are a beautiful young woman and deserve the best life can offer!
Great job! Tell Jordan I said hi and now he owes me a trip to Orlando
I’ve heard it said that preparation + opportunity = success. I think if you throw in some optimism & determination, you have a winning ticket. Your essay shows you are a winner already. A roadblock is only a barrier if you can’t find a way around it and you let it stop you. Kudos for sticking with it and making success happen. Continued success & all the best on your journey.
Great Job Nicole!
As long as you are defining and crafting your own idea of happiness…I do caution you though. Success and happiness are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I made the mistake of thinking that success = happiness. When I fell short of my goals I felt like an abject failure. I am learning now to redefine what success means, and to learn that you can absolutely, totally fail in some goals that you set for yourself, but still remain a happy and jovial person.
Good luck on the road to college success! I always admire anyway that is paving their own way.
I like the way you have defined success Nicole. As long as you work hard to meet your goals, success will follow. I think you will discover that true success must be earned, and can never be given. You may find that losing the scholarship may have the positive effect of motivating you to excel in school even more. As a medical professional who incurred considerable debt along the way, I have always found it to be worth it. I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors
I enjoyed reading your essay. I think it’s fantastic you are keeping a positive outlook and making the most of your time in college. Paying your own way really makes you appreciate everything & that’s great your grades are reflecting your hard work!
Knowing that I’m paying and not just getting a free ride definatly pushes me to work that much harder. However, if I had gotten my free ride, I would have been just as inspired to do the same hard work I am doing now. Getting the grades is such a a great feeling and good accomplishment. Doing well really makes me want to keep succeeding, so slacking off is NOT an option!
I love your essay Nicole. You certainly write very well. Keep up the good work and it will all pay off in the end. Everyone has a few “failures” along the way but you turn it into success by moving forward and overcoming challenges. You’ve come so far in the past few years….it’ll all work out.
It was awesome ! Good job!
Very easy reading Nic. Im proud of the articulate and studious individual you have become. Keep up the good work!
Nice essay Nicole – very uplifting. Many years ago I was in the same situation as you – accepted into my dream college, and yet there were no scholarships/grants available for me and I could not afford it. I wouldn’t take no for an answer and asked the woman in the financial aid office, how can it be? Another aid officer heard my objections and offered to help me; low and behold she found not one but 2 sources of funding for me. Persistence and determination are just as important as talent and intelligence
Wow! How lucky. I’m pretty much a regular in the financial aid office so hopefully if anything does come up, they’ll recognize that I could really use the help!
Wow! How lucky. I am pretty much a regular in the financial aid office, so if anything does come up hopefully they will recognize that I could really use the help!
I usually catch up on CNN.com every morning, which gives me inspiration for how I am going to make it another great day, but today I read your essay instead. I must say that in addition to being a great writer, you made very valid points in your essay. These are words I live by and it makes me happy to know that other people feel the same way :)
Best of luck to you Nicole! With a positive attitude, you can accomplish anything!!
Good luck, Nicole and terrific job on excelling in school.
Inspiring-You have great wisdom for someone of your age! Best of luck.
Good essay! It is very inspirational! I wish you the best luck!
great job nicole. your essay was awesome.
Hi Nicole. Good luck in all your endeavors and thanks for having the courage to share your story despite the perceived failures.
Great story, it’s inspiring how you’re keeping a positive attitude. I’m sure you’ll do well
Thank you!!
Simply put thats awesome. Keeping reaching high and the skies the limit! You sure do make Dad a very proud man.
Congratulation on being one of the “chosen” ones…I love your definition of success. Keep up the good work and good luck with all your endeavors.