College Portfolio
A Step in the Future
My third year at Indiana University Northwest has been a journey full of highs and lows. When I started my first year, I was consumed with anxiety and self-doubt, questioning whether I was capable of succeeding in college. After being told my whole life that I would never amount to much, I’ve proven—not only to others but to myself—that I absolutely can and will succeed.One professor who has profoundly influenced my journey is Paul Mishler. In Spring 2023, I had the privilege of taking his course, Introductions to American Labor History. This class was transformative, particularly in how it highlighted the role of music in labor history. Music has a unique power to articulate what words alone cannot—capturing the raw emotions, struggles, and resistance of the oppressed. It gave me a deeper understanding of how labor movements have used music as a voice for those who needed to be heard. Furthermore, taking independent studies in Fall 2022 gave me a deeper understanding of the critical gaps in our educational system and the injustices teachers face when fighting for equality. Teachers are the custodians of the future, holding the power to shape and mold the minds of today’s youth.Through my research on the West Virginia teachers' strike and various other teacher strikes across the country, a recurring theme became evident: the fight for recognition and justice. These struggles go beyond personal grievances—they are battles for the rights and futures of their students. Teachers stand not only for themselves but for the well-being and opportunities of the next generation.
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I've learned that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. During my time at university, I’ve discovered both my strengths and weaknesses. One challenge I’ve faced is note-taking—I tend to find everything relevant and important, which can make it difficult to organize my thoughts. Despite this, I manage to stay on top of my work. My greatest strength, however, is my perseverance. No matter the obstacles in my path, I refuse to give up and always push forward.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned during my time at university is that "no" is just a word, and its meaning depends entirely on how I choose to perceive it. Hearing "no"—whether it's "no, you can’t" or "no, you won’t"—has only fueled my determination to fight harder and prove that I can. Perception is everything, and I believe we can always reframe challenges into opportunities for growth.
I’ve turned every "no" into a personal reminder to tell myself, "I can" every single day. If I could offer one piece of advice to myself, it would be this: keep rising above the ashes and turning every setback into a step forward.
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