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Personal Narrative: Where I Am In College

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My path to where I am today in college has not been easy. I am a married mother of four daughters, ages 1-12, and a full-time student. As a child, I loved school and excelled. Sadly, my parents divorced the summer before fourth grade, and I did poorly in school. I realize in retrospect that I was likely fighting my first battle with depression. My mother remarried, and that relationship rapidly turned volatile not long after my brother, their son, was born. My step-dad became verbally and sometimes physically abusive towards my mother, even in front of my younger sister and me. He began to escalate. When I turned 13, my step-dad began to sexually abuse me while my mother was not home, working third shift. My grades began to slip again. Finally, unable to keep my secret and endure the abuse anymore, I told my guidance counselor. …show more content…
I attended counseling, but even with help, I struggled with anxiety and depression for years after. I graduated high school, and my first semester of college went well. However, my toxic and borderline abusive relationship eventually lead me to struggle and eventually drop out. It took me years to get the courage to leave, and longer yet to rediscover my self-worth. In 2013, my wonderful dad passed away suddenly from a heart attack while I was 3 months pregnant. The pain of losing my dad was nearly unbearable. It became my catalyst for change. After more than ten years away, I decided it was time to return to school and make something positive out of my life. I feel that even though my past is a part of who I am, it does not define me. I decided to pursue a degree in social work because I believe I can be a voice for people who don’t have

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