At the moment, it can appear so easy to just say "I'll finish my degree later" or "I actually don't want to do this anymore." Four to five years is a long time and will be filled with good and bad times that will make you want to keep going and give up at certain times. The key to success is perseverance and the knowledge that you can and will make it to the finish line if you set your mind to it.

There are a lot of classes that can be considered an "easy A," but there are also others that are known for containing a lot of long nights studying and working on projects. These may seem big at the time being, but you'll be through the class and off to the next before you know it. From the long list of general education classes to major-specific courses, these can all contain their fill of difficulties.

I had my fair share of classes that I either hated or wanted to just stop trying on, but my persistence to do my best and get that diploma prohibited me from giving up. When it came to my education and the time I was spending on it, I planned every class I would take for the next four years starting from my first semester of college. Giving up was never an option in my book, and I surrounded myself with people who had this mindset as well to help me keep going and get excited about what I was accomplishing.

My very first class in my first semester of college, my teacher was absolutely terrifying and I thought "how can I possibly pass this class?" From the first words that came out of his mouth, I had no idea what kind of stress and sleepless nights I was getting myself into. During his speech of how the semester would go, another student arrived late, which was the worst possible thing that could have happened. My professor then called her out in front of the entire class and explained how unprofessional and rude it is to arrive late to a class, job, etc. Leaving in tears, the student left the class to never return. I sat there in horror as I tried to work out in my mind how I could live up to this professor's standards. By the end of the semester, I learned A LOT and am grateful that I stuck it out through the all-nighters and long lectures because this class was one that taught me the best lessons I could have learned coming into college.

I could have easily followed that other girl right out the door, or just not shown up to class the next day because I knew this course would prove it's difficulties. However, I made the choice that I wanted to succeed and do all I could to be the best I could be and think about my future. Without that class, now four and a half years later, I wouldn't have my diploma or the MANY lessons I learned about professionalism and independence as an artist.

My only advice to those who think it would be easier to just give up is to try to envision the future you and see where you want yourself to be. College is just a small speck of your life, but a place where you can learn so much if you keep pursuing greatness.