I made a genuine mistake by leaving the California Maritime Academy in December of 2015. I did not realize what I would be giving up or what it would cost for my future when I decided to leave the academy. I came to a point where I was standing at a crossroads in my life and it became difficult for me to choose what directions to take because of all the baggage and weight that I was carrying on my shoulders. The pressure of fulfilling an old dream of mine became too demanding and stressful to uphold because I was discovering a new dream and pursuing new passions at the same time I was attending Cal Maritime. Reflecting back at my time at the academy, I made conscious efforts to stay open-minded about learning new things because I was searching …show more content…
It was frightening to experience that this old dream of mine that had motivated me for so many years was the same dream that was slowly slipping beneath my fingertips. This dream that I am describing paved my path toward college and I was beginning to loose interest in it. I was uncertain if I was staying true to myself or just growing up. Walking into to the academy as a freshman, I knew that my first dream career was not an option to pursue due to the distinct majors that were offered. That did not stop me from attending because I believed in 100% what the academy stood for and I wanted to a part of that. As a sophomore, I started questioning myself because I could not completely abandon this old dream yet. I thought I owed it to myself to give it a chance before I can move forward in my life. I do not want to be someone who lives a life at the mercy of “what if’s”? So, I decided to leave the academy because I got an opportunity to attend a military college in Vermont called Norwich University to experience first-hand what it would be like for me to make this old dream a reality. I did not know what I was expecting when I moved my life across the country, and I soon realized that it was not at all what I hoped for it to be. It was no surprise that I would bring along the life skills and discipline that I received …show more content…
But, I learned some of the most valuable lessons. I learned how to have the courage during a time of change and how to solve my problems even during the most difficult times. Cal Maritime shaped the very person that I am today and I want to continue making something of myself. The academy is where I belong and it is so much more than a university to me. It is my home where I found long-lasting friendships, endless support and a chance to be a part of a unique community and culture that holds great pride and empowerment. I will always be grateful for what I accomplished thus far, as an honor’s student, cadet, core leader, mentor, athlete, chorus singer, ambassador, club treasurer, student worker, and volunteer. On another note, it is also important for me to take care of my personal well-being. That means listening to my body and fulfilling what it needs. It requires patience and not negligence I recently decided to withdraw from Norwich University in March because it was not right for me to be there any longer than I should. I do not look at that decision I made as a mistake because I was trying to be rational about the situation I had put myself in. I do not need to put myself in any more unnecessary stress or continue wasting time. It was not that I was incapable of finishing off the semester, but I wanted to figure out how to get back on track of the Global Studies