What aspirations do you have for the upcoming school year and what motivates you to achieve them? by LaTina

What aspirations do you have for the upcoming school year and what motivates you to achieve them? by LaTina - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

As I prepare to step onto the campus of the University of Virginia’s School of Nursing, I carry more than just suitcases and school supplies; I carry dreams, responsibilities, and a heart full of hope. The upcoming school year marks the start of my journey to become a nurse, a goal shaped by my personal experiences, family, and a deep desire to help others. My aspirations for this school year are both academic and personal, and they are deeply rooted in who I am and what I’ve overcome.

My primary goal is to immerse myself in my studies fully. I recognize that the foundation I established this year will influence the kind of nurse I will become. I want to engage with every course, whether it’s anatomy or clinical skills, not just to earn good grades but to genuinely absorb the knowledge. I’m not merely studying to pass exams; I’m preparing to be someone’s lifeline someday. That mindset motivates me to strive for excellence, not perfection, but real mastery.

Another aspiration I have is to connect. I want to build meaningful relationships with professors, classmates, and patients during clinicals. I believe that learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms or textbooks. It happens in conversations, in study groups, and in the quiet moments of helping someone through a hard day. I hope to be someone others can turn to for encouragement and support, just as I hope to find people who push me to grow in return.

I also plan to get involved in organizations and causes that align with my values. I’m passionate about health equity, especially in underserved communities. As a young African American woman in healthcare, I know representation matters. I’ve seen how my sister, who lives with cerebral palsy, has been treated differently, not always with the respect or Dignity she deserves. Those moments sparked a fire in me to speak up and step forward. year, I hope to join campus organizations focused on service, advocacy, and leadership, including the Black Student Nurses Association or volunteer groups that serve vulnerable populations.

Of course, not all goals are academic or service-based. I also want to prioritize my well-being. College is exciting, but it can be overwhelming. I’ve learned the importance of mental and physical health, having open-heart surgery at one and a half, and living with the long-term effects of that, including the loss of function in one of my kidneys. These experiences have taught me that health can never be taken for granted. So, I want to take care of myself, eat well, stay active, sleep, and check in with myself emotionally.

What motivates me to work toward all these goals? A few things come to mind, and they are all deeply personal. First, my family. I was raised by a single mother who has always gone above and beyond for her daughters. Watching her work, sacrifice, and supporting us through everything has made me want to be just as strong, just as determined. My sister Tiffani, who continues to defy the odds with grace and courage, is another reason I push forward. She’s faced more in her life than most people ever will, and yet she wakes up every day with a smile. I want to make her proud. I want to make sure that patients like her are treated with the kindness and care they deserve.

Second, my health journey has shaped the way I see the world. Spending time in hospitals as a child, both as a patient and watching my sister go through treatments, I saw firsthand how nurses made the difference. Sometimes it wasn’t the doctor who made us feel safe, it was the nurse who held our hand, who stayed longer after their shift to make sure we were okay. I want to be that nurse for someone else. The memory of those caregivers motivates me, especially when things get tough.

Lastly, my passion for service keeps me going. I’ve been involved in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Science Honor Society, and other community outreach efforts, and through those, I’ve found my purpose. Whether I was mentoring younger students, working at the front desk at the IHG Army Hotel Fort Lee, Virginia, or participating in Adopt-a-Highway cleanups in memory of my baby sister, I’ve learned that serving others is what brings me joy. Nursing is just the next step in that lifelong mission to serve.

I won’t pretend the road ahead will be easy. There will be challenges, moments of doubt, and days when everything feels too heavy. But I’ve already overcome so much to get here. The struggles I’ve faced have made me resilient. The people I love give me strength. And my dreams give me direction.

So, as I walk into my first day of college, I won’t just be thinking about the classes or the campus. I’ll be thinking about everything I carry with me, my history, my hopes, and the belief that I was made for this path. I will walk in knowing that I am not just preparing for a career. I am preparing to answer a call.

This year, I aspire to grow, not just in knowledge, but in my heart. I want to learn, to serve, to lead, and to heal. And above all, I want to become the kind of nurse who changes lives the way others once changed mine.