Because I want this more than anything

As many of you know, I'm a single mother on my path toward becoming a physician. I am by no means a "perfect pre-med" and have faced many bumps along the road that have allowed me to grow and mature as a person throughout this journey. Recently, I met with one of the pre med advisors at my school and amidst our conversation he said to me, "How would you feel if your daughter was seen by a physician who was intellectually incapable." (Referring to me) 

Let's just pause right there, shall we? I was appalled. Speechless. I kept thinking to myself, did he really just say this? The inevitable challenges that arise as a single mother along with caring for my own mother who is ill caused a few hiccups in my GPA, but I'm finishing out my final year strong and doing my best to make myself a competitive applicant in the daunting admissions pool. I bit my tongue so hard I could taste the blood in my mouth which allowed me to refrain from saying anything I would regret. Instead I simply stood up and walked right out the door. 

I'm writing about this particular instance because I think it's so important for students to understand that THEY CAN DO IT. Do not let the naysayers dictate your path in following your dreams. There will always be people that try and bring you down and tell you it's impossible. It's important to keep your faith and trust that this is your calling. This is your passion. And you WILL succeed. (As long as you put fourth your best efforts of course.) 

I work hard because I have no infallible doubt that I am called to be a physician. I'm so passionate about medicine and learning everything there is to know about the human body. There are days when I find myself contemplating my capabilities and I become fearful of what could, or couldn't, happen. But then I remember that I need to give my worries to God and let Him handle the things that I have no control over. 

I'm entering my final semester of college and I couldn't be more thrilled. As I prepare for graduation and try on caps and gowns, there is finally that light at the end of the tunnel that people talk about but you don't believe it's real until your there. I'm trying not to let my case of Senioritis get the best of me. But I'm definitely more than ready for my undergraduate years to be over, diploma in hand. 

So for all you other pre meds and med students out there, keep following your path. Stay motivated. Stay healthy. Stay hungry. When I get my acceptance letter into medical school, I'll be sure and plaster it on that advisors wall as a friendly reminder that I AM CAPABLE.