Reflection

Reflection of the Past and Looking Towards a Brighter Future

Before college, I feel like I went through a great deal academically. I knew since my freshman year of high school that I wanted to go to UCF, however, I put all my effort into my schooling leaving a noticeable unbalance between my school life and personal life. I was in many clubs and honor societies to compensate for my lack of sports, due to my work schedule overlapping conditioning times. These clubs consisted of the National Honor Society, History Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, DECA, Chemistry Honor Society, Link Crew, Technical Honor Society, French Honor Society, and Math Honor Society. My hope, when signing up for all these clubs and organizations, was that they would eventually get me into UCF to keep me at par with the other well-rounded students. The main reason UCF was my dream school was majorly due to the opportunities in the surrounding Orlando area. I knew that no matter what major I chose, the location of UCF would bring endless job possibilities. 
My main inspirations for making it to college were my parents. I would say that both of my parents were mentors for me physically and emotionally. As a First-Generation college student, I knew from a young age I was going to go to college as my parents made it very known how important education would be for my future. Even though they did not go to college, both my parents are very successful in their own ways. My dad is the General Service Manager for Cintas Uniform Company which, today, would most likely require a college degree to acquire. He inspired me not to give up no matter how hard something may seem and to always persevere. My mom taught me to always look at things from multiple perspectives and to see everything as an opportunity for the better. When I would be at my lowest academically, rather if the issue was about my test anxiety or overthinking an assignment, my mom was always there to keep me positive and motivated. When both forces work together, my parents would always provide me with the motivation I’d need to remind me about sticking to my goals and never giving up, and if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be who I am today. 
Academically and emotionally I feel as though I’ve faced many barriers, some felt unbeatable, but that only made the success so much better. An example of a barrier I had faced recently was in my senior year of high school. Since my sophomore year, it was my dream to become an Imagineer for Walt Disney World. I knew what being an Imagineer entailed, but I was always unsure if I’d be able to do it. I knew deep down that I always had the creative side of what it took to be an Imagineer, but math was never my strong suit. So, in my junior year, both my guidance counselor and math teacher suggested to me that I skip precalc and go straight to calculus. I took their advice and enrolled in the class and, unfortunately, I received fifteen percent on my first test. So I dropped the class, took a step back, and went to precalc. A year later, I tried again. After barely passing for a semester, it was decided that I drop that class again to better my GPA as well as my chances of getting into UCF. Emotionally, I felt very drained when going up against my academic barriers. When faced with a difficult situation, I tend to worry about it before it even happens, thus sending me on a downward spiral.
All of this time reflecting on my struggles and anxiety lead me to dig deep and find myself. I learned to plan ahead and to way all factors of the things that may be out of my control and to go with the motions. I can't say I've fully learned how to manage my anxiousness, however I've learned to breathe and way all of my options before assuming the worst and to listen to those around me rather than just my own intrusive thoughts and how to overcome my weaknesses and develop strengths.  
When I dropped out of calculus my senior year, I knew a big change was coming for me. At that time, I focused so much of my energy worrying about the negative changes that would be fast approaching, that I didn’t stop to think about all the positives too. I thought for all these years that I would be an engineer and make it big at Disney. I soon realized that it would be impossible for me to make it at Disney as an engineer if I struggled with the first level of calculus. But then, after talking with my parents, and questioning my long-term objectives, it came to me that there are many outlets for making it big at Disney, and I just had to find the one that was right for me. This is when I was introduced to the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. 
At the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, I am taught how to meet the expectations of guests, through the creation of kind/sweet experiences that leave the guest feeling happy and satisfied. The courses here have taught me that when a guest decides to enter an establishment they come in with a set of expectations that they expect to be met during their time there. It is up to the organization and the employees of the organization to meet these expectations and leave the guest satisfied with their experience. My academics here have taught me the skills required to make a name for myself within the hospitality industry and I feel as though that would not have been possible anywhere else. 
I also found myself being crafted and molded into more of a leader throughout my time at UCF, not only in my leadership positions held but especially in the LEAD Scholars Academy. All of the positions I’ve held and all the experiences I’ve been a part of throughout my time have had one thing in common; they all offered me the potential to mean something more to someone else. I’ve had the opportunities to lend friendly ears to students in need, be a teacher to those who may not feel comfortable discussing a topic with someone else, and a counselor by providing examples of bonding and teamwork; making impactful experiences when the opportunity arose. I’m very thankful for the experience Rosen College and UCF have offered me, and look forward to taking it all with me in my next endeavor.