Beating the Odds

     Someone once told me to dream with caution and to never get my hopes up, because I may never be able to pick myself back up if the fall is too great. I am twenty-one years old, and throughout the course of my life I have come to strongly disagree with this individual. I find society tends to take the easy way out, and chose to advise adolescents to do the same. Most individuals would rather walk away from their dreams, and chance at truly succeeding, than face the possibility of failure along the way. But I am here to tell you, not to listen to the majority of society. I feel every single person needs to dream big and reach for the stars, and if you happen to fail, then at least you tried and gave it your best attempt. I have proved the odds and statistics are wrong, and you can too!

     My dad left my family when I was in 4^th grade, he left my mom to raise my five year old little brother and I all on her own. However, through my mom’s determination and will power, I have learned that all things are possible as long as you stick together and never give up. My mom eventually remarried, and even though it may have been hard at first to accept, I soon came to realize it was a blessing in disguise. The man I now call my father today, has worked along side my mother and together they have brought a sense of unity back into my family. I have learned from my mom that everything happens for a reason and we must always look for the good in everything, therefore I never let the fact that my dad left get the best of me. I graduated cumlade from Cy-Fair High School with a 3.6 GPA. While there I fully applied myself and took every opportunity that presented itself. I was a member of NHS, SNHS, Senior Women, PALS, Key Club, and the Brigade Drill Team.

     Towards the end of high school I had a difficult time trying to figure out which college I was going to attend, and how I was going to pay for tuition. I began applying for every scholarship known to man, starting at the beginning of my senior year, which I recommend every student doing. Get to know your advisors, and apply for every single scholarship whether it’s small or big, because in the end everything adds up and helps make a difference. And granted there were various people who continuously told me not to rely on scholarships, that I would most likely get my hopes up on receiving a full ride to college. I however refused to listen to them, and was blessed by receiving The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Metropolitan Scholarship among several others. It only went to further prove that hard work and determination really does pay off in the end.

     I want you to know that life will always have its ups and downs no matter what, and that every one will make mistakes along the way, well I know I at least have. After High School I attended A&M University of Galveston, where I was majoring in marine biology I however, soon discovered that I was absolutely terrified of the dark ocean and all its lurking creatures underneath it, so least to say marine biology was definitely not for me! I recommend everyone test the waters to see which degree or field best suits you, I feel the only way to know for sure is to experiment through work or volunteer hours. I also recommend everyone move away from home, and go potluck their freshman year. I feel you are able to learn so much more about yourself and can truly grow more as an individual, when you are placed outside your own little bubble and into unfamiliar situations. I know there are various horror stories about potluck drifting around, but there are just as many good stories out there too, so don’t be afraid to venture out. I just so happened to luck out and get roomed with a girl who was just as passionate about dance and life, as I am. Granted nothing is perfect, and we had our speed bumps just like everyone else, but in a way that is also what helps make life more interesting. So I recommend everyone enjoy their freshman year, because it is going to be a terrifying yet exciting new atmosphere and experience, which is going to fly bye before you know it.

     After my freshman year I transferred to The University of Houston, where I am currently in my senior year. I have finally found my place and have decided to major in Kinesiology-Exercise Science and double minor in Dance and Nutrition. I will be honest in that it took me awhile to figure out what to major in, and that to this day I still do not really know what I am going to do when I graduate. So if you can not decide right away what to major in, do not panic, it is completely okay. I recommend you get a feel of what your likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses are and just roll with it. I think college is a once in a lifetime experience, and after you graduate you must enter the real world and have a real job. So get involved in your school and join a club or take part in an intramural sport. I am currently a member of The Human Health Performance Honor Society, and co-social chair of the University Dance Theatre Club. I have also been a member of the Cougar Doll Dance Team at UH for several years. So do not miss out, get involved, and take every opportunity that comes your way.

     Like I have previously stated, life is not always easy, and college is not always fun and games. There will be times when your best friend in the world is the Ihop waitress, who keeps refilling your coffee cup at 2:00 in the morning, while you pull an all nighter cramming for exams. And there may be times when you must go several weeks living off ramen and spagettios to save a couple extra dollars. But in my opinion success is defined through perseverance. You must take what life throws at you, and keep pushing forward to reach your dreams and goals. And yes there will be people who try to deter you, or convince you to take the easier road, but do not let that bring you down. I think everyone has a chance of achieving their dreams, including you and I. I beat the odds, I am a first generation college student graduating from a university with not only a degree but am also double minoring. I truly applied myself and refused to listen to people when they told me not to get my hopes up on receiving the HLSR scholarship, nor when they said I could never receive a full ride to college, but I am currently living out my dream everyday! All I can recommend is keep trying, keep persevering, never be afraid to ask for help or advice, and always lend a helping hand in return. Attack your dreams and goals, it is all up to you and in the end I promise it will pay off! My name is Brandi Breman and I beat the odds, what will you do?