I am a success coach at Cleveland State University . While the title may seem a little deceiving and you might be weary about what I do, here's the run down: I help students, mostly freshmen, that come to school not knowing what their academic career may bring. Tests, studying, family, social life and general anxieties are what the typical student, and especially what a college freshman, will have their first semester in college. I love this on-campus job, but I would say the most challenging part about helping students are those that don't have any direction or hard-core support to keep going in school. From my personal experience, I was this type of student at Cuyahoga Community College almost five years ago. I had a few amazing role models, a thirst for knowledge and I went to an excellent school system to reinforce my reason to continue my education- all which I am extremely grateful for. However, I was and am the first in my family to go to college. I am not going to give you the entire story but I will tell you it was a very tough transition. It still is to this day and the experiences I have had have given me the gift and resources to help these students.

Whenever I meet with these types of students on campus, they are usually the type that don't want to talk or open up about how they have to balance so many priorities. I think now about how balancing all of these priorities is a gift to have all of this going on personally, because I like being busy and involved. Unfortunately, a lot of these priorities deal with things that don't necessarily support your dreams or goals, and that is what these students may only see right now just entering college. It was something I didn't even see initially. Everyone's story is different but being able to relate with these first generation students is the best part of this job. Whenever I am stressed out or distracted before meeting a student I catch myself and my mantra is "be the person you wish you had 5 years ago". That was me lost. That was me scared. That was me reaching out for help. It sure as hell nothing was going to change unless I did. I had a professor that kept the whole class in check through the semester and would ask you a question, on top of a question that they felt you probably needed to dig a little deeper and caught you off guard from your usual critical thinking skills. Usually, our answers were way off when asked in response to the second questions. This purpose was to make sure we truly learned something and we did. My professor said people talk more about their failures than their successes and we sure had a lot to talk about after that class was over. As my last semester of undergrad comes to an end, of course, I have quite a few thank-yous to give out.

To the people that keep pushing me (or have pushed me). Whenever I fall down, you help me up and give me a swift kick to not feel sorry for myself. You believe I have a vision, I know what it is and I know better than to put myself down. If you don't have any doubts about whether you were a part of motivating me, thank you, specifically, for whatever you may have helped me with.

To the people in the future who will help me get where I want to be, here's an early thank-you.

Cleveland sports teams for raising me my whole life that if you lose, you have to go back to work the next day and you'll get them tomorrow, next year or this year.

To the students and my on-campus job staff that have given me the opportunity to share my story and help you and others. What is a better place or institution to do so?

Lebron and Nike for the "Come out of Nowhere" commercial that I have replayed too many times since it came out. You are the inspiration for me to finally get all of this out. And because we aren't supposed to be here, but here we are.