Learning to Accept Fuck Ups

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My time in high school

Attended high school in the
2010s

Overall high school experience
6/10.  I loved my friends but a lot of stuff happened in my life during this time that caused me to have a mental crisis. There was little to no help from the community.

Grades in high school
A's and B's. The occasional C.

 

Best subjects
English, History / Social Studies, Foreign Language

Struggled with...
MATH!!!!

Favorite extracurricular
The art program at [high school name omitted] was and still is amazing.

Life since high school

“ I’ve learned to accept that not everything is going to work out exactly as planned but I need to be happy with the decisions I’ve made…I used to think that having a perfect life with a perfect relationship, with money, with a perfect education, etc. would define success for me.”

Attended college / university at
Duquesne

Majored in
Nursing

Post-graduate education or training
Currently a college student.

Places lived in US
Pennsylvania

Current occupations / past occupations
I've been in retail and volunteered.

Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade

Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Nope.

Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Nope.

A little introspection...

To me, being successful means...
being happy with myself and my decisions. I've learned to accept that not everything is going to work out exactly as planned but I need to be happy with the decisions I've made.

My definition of success has changed over time. 
I used to think that having a perfect life with a perfect relationship, with money, with a perfect education, etc. would define success for me.

My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Being able to get through two years of nursing school without dropping out. I haven't always received the grades I wanted but I've been working hard and I know this is exactly what I want to do. 

My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
Its not really a mistake but I do regret moving so far away from home to go to college. It really was a culture shock and has taught me a lot about the world outside California. I don't really regret it though, even though it may be hard at times I really do think it was a interesting choice.

An unexpected event that changed my life and how it impacted me
The death of my family friends the [name omitted] caused everything in my life to change. It hurt my relationship with others and myself. I started to question my mortality and I took part in a variety of risky behaviors that effected others around me who just wanted to help. I lost or hurt so many people along the way that I truly miss.

This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
In order to protect anonymity, we will pass along your message and they can choose whether to respond.

My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto

The Ceramics Room