I’m 22 years old and today, and I see the glass half full. For a lack of better words, I am simply grateful. My life isn’t over, but only just begun. I have a new inspiration and a fresh look on life. Truth be told if I am extremely lucky, I have lived 1/5 of my life, and being the realist that I am probably 1/4. Sound depressing? Nah, let’s be honest here, NONE of US make it out alive. My great grandma lived to be 92, God rest her soul. A wonderful, strong, determined woman with a way to overcome any difficulty. I hope to be half the woman she was. We can spend our lives living for today, but that still doesn’t promise tommorrow. I have found happiness in love, family, and friendships. I have the greatest appreciation for my parents, but words will never express my gratitude. Thank you lord for my roots bringing me back to where I am today. I am speaking to you young folks reading today. Don’t take your life for granite. It’s not short, it’s the longest thing you’ll ever do, but when your done, will you say you did it well? So today, is your glass half full? Does perspective ultimately determine how your days will end? Perspective is my glass, and it is full, it is full.

I have decided to go back to school to become a pharmacist. I know this is quite a bit different from my current degree, but communication is a skill used in every work place. I am choosing pharmacy, because I can actually see myself having a future with it. This is not a degree where you walk out of the university and are immediately wondering if you will ever find  a job, or if you are even needed. People will always need prescriptions, but more importantly they will want their presciptions from someone they can talk to and trust. I plan to put my communication skills to good use, and bring in new customers. I plan to work for my father, and I am confident together we can make big things happen.

I have alot ahead of me, and one of my main tasks was figuring out what to do after college. I have decided to go to school again. I know what your all thinking. “Why on earth would she go back to school?” These were my exact thoughts before it all clicked with me. So I am graduating with a degree in something I know longer want to do, so rather than switch now, I am going to use this as a builing block for my future. I will be graduating in May, and re enrolling in August to South College.

I am a dreamer. I always wanted a job that paid six figures straight out of school. I didn’t stick with my original plan of pharmacy school, so six figures will take a lot of hard work and I may never acheive it. I now see that money cannot solve all of my problems. Money could easily buy my wants, but what about my needs. The need to acheive success is no longer weighed with dollar signs. If you asked me what success means to me now, I would answer,” having a roof over my head, loved ones, and contentment in my current situation.” I am thankful for where I am and will always strive for bigger and better things. However, I believe my life is a success and I would have it no other way!

I feel that everyone around is confused about what the future holds. We all have hopes and dreams, yet all of afraid of disapointing ourselves. The way I see it, why should we let ourselves down. If you have a dream, chase it. If you feel like giving up, don’t! You will always wonder about the “what ifs.” This is unneccessary heart break. So dream big, but achieve even larger goals. Cheers to high hopes

I am an intern at channel 6 news. I am a communications major. I graduate in may. SO WHAT IS NEXT?  I am so confused as to where I should apply to, but more importantly what I want to do. I am thrilled to graduate, but the nerves are setting in. I do not feel like I am done yet. I feel like I have more fight left to rise to the top before I graduate. However, father time will be kicking me off campus in May. So the question is, do I go back for another major? Do I go back to try my first dream of pharmacy school? Should I do event planning? Should I refurbish furniture? ( basically just paint) Help! Cheers to confusion!

This was by far one of the funnest experiences. I worked at Wedding Wonderland, which I loved. We had a booth in the pink bridal show. This was filled with all things bridal. There were tons of vendors there from venues,caterers,and of course bridal gown boutiques. This is literally a one stop shop for any bride to be. This was very intriguing to me. A lightbulb went off and I knew I had to be a part of it. I decided to contact Pink Bride magazine. They produce the Pink Bridal Show. I met with the owner, and found out there are many possibilities upon my graduation. I am anticpating what I can do with this company and my future. Cheers to high hopes and of course success.

I’m engaged! I was proposed to last night. I have been in a relationship for almost two years. Sacrifice has played a very large factor in the difficulty of our relationship. We met February of 2011. I went to a birthday party of a mutual friend, and met the love of my life there. He was attending MTSU at the time, and I was a freshman here at the University of Tennessee. He put alot of time into coming to see me every weekend. At the time he had a jeep which he sold to get a more economical car for the drive home. The point is he stuck by my side through my journey of being succesful. However, he has taught me it is not always about yourself, but the ones you love and care for. I have a greater appreciation for all the things he did in order to make it last with me now. I am graduating, and I will be starting a new chapter with my love,. May I take the lesson he taught me and apply it to my life.

My dad is a small business owner. We have a pharmacy in Oak Ridge. Determination and the ever growing need for success is very prevelant in my life. I am a bit of a dreamer with an extremely vivid imagination. Luckily my mother gave me the gift of creativity. I am always coming up with new ways to bring in an additional income. I refurbish furniture by simply slapping on some paint to give it a fresh new look. I once tried selling my furniture then realized posting something on your own facebook wall isn’t exactly effective. However, this didn’t stop me. My latest new job for myself was to purchase purses, have them monogrammed  and sell them. This has been my most succesful attempt at self entreprenuership! Cheers to the future!