The Fire you Need to give you that extra push to your dreams

 

For all of the things that I’ve done in my life, I think most people may be surprised to know that I came very close to not graduate from college.

In order to graduate from my alma mater, you need to have a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.0 in your major. Heading into the last semester of college, I was on the border for both. In other words, I had to maintain a 2.5 overall in order to ensure I graduated. That part wasn’t hard. It was a 2.0 in my major that was tough.

Aside from my first semester during my freshman year, I struggled with a variety of different courses in my major. I have flashes of brilliance here and there. However, it took me until my senior year to realize that the struggles that I had was because I needed to change how I was studying.

The lesson of today is not about studying. The lesson I wanna share today is the importance of having people in your life who will give you just an extra nudge to let you know to keep pushing so you can get to the finish line.

Halfway through my last semester, I had just gotten a grade from my microbiology class and I was not happy. I was taking three science courses and I needed to get at least a C average of the three courses in order to graduate with my major. And this one class with this one professor was kicking my butt. And I was so frustrated. And then the harsh reality was that there was a distinct possibility that I might not be able to graduate. And that just freaked me completely out.  

I was talking to one of my classmates, Jazmine, while we were walking and I was venting about the test and how I was doing and how I was terrified about the reality that I might not graduate. 

And then she did something spectacularly kind.

In my low point, she told me something that I wasn’t supposed to know. She told me I was going to get an award that I didn’t realize I was in consideration to receive.  At the University of Tampa, every year the university recognizes its top 10 outstanding student leaders. And she told me that I would be recognized as one of those outstanding student leaders. 

At that precise moment, my spirit was lifted by 1000%. 

I was familiar with the award.  It is called the Spartan Spirit award. I had known many students who received it but I never thought I was in consideration for it. To be fair, I was very active in a variety of different activities but I didn’t think I was garnering any attention for those activities.  Jazmine told me that not only was I going to receive the award but she also told me that out of the 10 students, I was the only unanimous selection.

So after telling me that, she told me that I needed to make sure I buckled down so that I can graduate on the right note. 

And I can tell you with all honesty, those words she shared with me gave me a fire to push through. As a result, my last two weeks of my undergraduate experience were magical. I made it through my sciences courses. I got the Spartan Spirit award. I got commissioned as an army officer. And I walked across the stage and picked up my diploma.

Most of us remember our college days with fond memories. And I can tell you that at this age, people look at my accomplishments with some degree of reverence.  

However, I think it’s important to make sure people know that there are people who come into your life and do small things that leave a big impact. 

I don’t know if I would’ve given up after that bad exam. But 30 years later, I still know one thing. I do know that Jazmine walking with me that day gave me the needed inspiration I needed to complete my journey.  I can truthfully say that I wouldn’t be here now if it were not for her words to keep me going just a little bit further.