I'm not a model student, I don't have the best grades and I don't have a shining GPA, but thats all OK.

I'm still here.

I didn't drop out because college was hard. I am still here despite the fact that I am struggling every year, because that is what college is – a struggle.

Some people do really well with that kind of struggle, I don't, and that's fine.

College isn't supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be really hard, because the real world is not easy to live in.

Sure there are a lot of things I could do better, and I work on those things all the time. I do get better. All that matter is that I am doing my best.

Things like knowing that my mom and dad are proud of me, knowing that one day I will be doing what I love because of the work I am doing right now, and knowing that I will graduate from college one day, are what keep me motivated to keep going.

I am not going to give up.

I have had my share of obsticals in the past four years of my college career. There have been so many times where I just wanted to give up and drop out.

But, I knew it wasn't an option. I know people are counting on me. My mom and dad are counting on me to have a good future. Children in need are counting on me to one day save them from the nightmares that are their lives. I am counting on me to make my dreams come true.

My life has not yet begun. I am still learning and I am still struggling. I have worked so hard already, and I am so close to the end. I can't give up.

If I give up I will be giving up on my future, I will be giving up on my dream. I will be letting down everyone in my life including myself.

I have to keep going, and so do you.

You can do it.

To the freshmen who are about to start their college career, I give you this advice: Stay strong, be you and follow your dreams.

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't and that you aren't good enough, because they are lying to you.

You have what it takes.

It is going to be really hard, but you can do it, because I believe in you. I know that you have the power to make your dreams come true. You have the ability to do amazing things.

So push through, and enjoy your years in college. They are going to funnest and hardest years of your life, but it is going to be so worth it in the future.