“Saying that I am a graduate with a degree in Human Services and an associate’s degree in psychology is something I am incredibly proud of. My educational journey is not stopping there. I am continuing my educational path by pursuing an advanced degree in Clinical Psychology, with the goal of continuing to learn how I can support people through some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

One thing I have learned throughout college is how important behavioral health is, especially for college students. College can be an exciting time, but it can also bring a lot of stress, pressure, and uncertainty. Between classes, work, relationships, finances, and trying to figure out what you want your future to look like, it can be easy to put your own mental health at the bottom of the list.

For me, stress can look like feeling overwhelmed, constantly thinking about everything I still need to accomplish, and feeling like I should always be doing more. I have had to learn that taking care of myself does not mean I am being lazy or falling behind. It means I am giving myself the opportunity to recharge so I can continue moving forward.

One of the biggest moments when I felt like quitting was during my sophomore year of college. I completely changed my degree from nursing to Human Services, and I felt incredibly behind. I was angry with myself because I felt like I had wasted a year of education, time, and money. Starting over felt overwhelming, and I questioned whether I was making the right decision.

What helped me not quit was reaching out to people I knew cared about me. I talked openly about how stressed and overwhelmed I was and told them that I needed both emotional and physical support while I continued moving forward. Asking for help was important because I did not feel like I had to carry everything by myself.

I also took responsibility for managing my own stress. I started journaling, creating schedules, and making sure I was not constantly working on school or other responsibilities. I tried to maintain free time and continue spending time with my significant other and friends. At least twice a week, I prioritized myself and my mental health. Sometimes that meant going on a hike, going to a concert, watching a movie, or simply doing something that had nothing to do with school or work.

Looking back, I realize that changing my degree did not mean I wasted a year. It became part of the journey that led me to where I am today. Sometimes we can become so focused on how far behind we think we are that we forget to look at how far we have actually come.

My biggest lesson from that experience is that not quitting does not mean you have to push yourself until you are completely burned out. Sometimes not quitting means slowing down, asking for help, taking a break, and taking care of yourself so you can keep going.

Behavioral health is not just something I want to study or work with professionally. It is something I have learned to value in my own life. As I continue toward an advanced degree in Clinical Psychology, I want to carry out that lesson with me: taking care of yourself is not a distraction from your goals—it is part of how you reach them.”