Decision Making Assignment

 

When I was in high school, I was a part of IB and the AP program. Of course, the work is very challenging because it is set in place to prepare students for high education or college. During my senior year of high school, my grandma had breast cancer and was in her final stages and I was trying to juggle school work and trying to be there for my family and help in any way that I could. Of course, grieving takes a toll on you as you prepare for a loved one's death, I wasn’t focused mentally in school. However, senior year is the most important and this is the year that you apply for college, army, trade school, and other areas of interest. I battled with the decision of staying in AP classes and taking the easier route to lessen the burden but I decided to stick it out. As my grandma was going through her own situation, she always encouraged me to finish school (graduate with a degree). Most students were prepared and knew exactly what college they wanted to go to and here I was 3 days before college applications are due searching and scrambling for applications and scholarships during the applying process. 

Deciding to stay in IB and AP classes was probably the best decision I ever made because graduating with a 4.3 and college credits gave me credentials to apply for literally any college and receive some type of scholarship. I had applied for all Florida colleges because of my family situation with my grandma I didn't want to go far and then God forbid something had taken turn for the worse so my family played a major role in making my decision. I did a lot of research on all universities in Florida plus the scholarship they offer for superior academics.

 A contributing decision to this process was applying for UF because of the outstanding name and prominence they have for education, I had kind of lost motivation because for some reason I didn't think I was going to get accepted. During this time, I had taken a shot at applying for their Machen Scholarship and I had turned in the scholarship application on the day it was due and I had gotten accepted. For me, it was a leap of faith and believing that my hard work will pay off. I tested the waters and took the risk of staying in IB, applying for UF, and also being accepted for the Machen scholarship which is considered to be a full ride because it covers all expenses as long as you maintain good grades. Of course, there was lots of fear in making this decision because while grieving and then rejection or even a half scholarship at that point in my life, I would have felt like the world ended and that everything was going wrong. I know it is a good decision now that I am in my last semester of UF and am graduating after this semester. It was all worth the blood, sweat, and tears I endured during my time at UF. I was offered so many wonderful opportunities to venture out and explore career options and exploring my options to improve my future for the better.