I graduated with my associate's degree from a community college and began my journey at UMSL in the fall of 2024. I got my first car, and two weeks later, I was in a car accident. I later made the difficult decision to leave both of my on-campus jobs due to difficulties maintaining the school-work life and parental balance. At some point, my sense of self-started to slip away. I was used to being a high-achieving student who maintained involvement in multiple student organizations and was still a great mom.
I found myself in a place where I felt inadequate; I often asked myself, how did you get here? This was not supposed to be you. One day, I realized that circumstances do not determine the outcome. I decided to get back up and try again. I found on-campus involvement that suits my work-life balance, got involved in one campus organization, acquired an internship, and found a community on campus of individuals who support me. Community matters; a huge portion of my struggles stemmed from my attitude of being alone. I told myself I had to do it alone. I later discovered this mentality stunted my growth. Overall, UMSL has been a life-changing experience and a good one.
I continue to understand the vitality of pressing forward even after difficult situations arise, the importance of flexibility, and the willingness to change a mindset. The great community at UMSL has been a part of my progress. Some tips that supported my progression with developing a work and school-life balance were understanding my prioritizing, evaluating my current limitations, and acceptance. However, anything is possible if we set our minds to it. It is also true that just because we can do something does not mean we should do it at that moment or in that season. The reality is that it is not that we do not have the strength within us to do all the things we want. It is that sometimes other things need our attention at that moment. Another advice, especially for parents, is to take it one day at a time; every new day is a new opportunity. My last advice is to remember that it is not just you.
I recall when I got into my accident, and other personal issues followed shortly after. I began to believe it was just me, and then I recognized that most situations and circumstances are not individualized. Someone else has gone through what I was currently going through, and I should evaluate my circumstances and find the positives in this situation. In order to grow and continue to develop the character that I need to be a mother, student, and friend. Life sometimes does not get easier, but we get to choice the mindset we have.
