My Journey to Sucess by Samara

My Journey to Sucess by Samara - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give myself one piece of advice, it would be to not compare my journey to others.

Last year, I started my college journey being a freshman at HBCU. As I explored campus, I found myself looking up too many inspiring black women with vibrant personalities those who were involved in campus life whether by starting clubs, winning pageants, or taking on leadership roles. Watching them put themselves out there and be successful made me question whether I was doing enough. Though I was just beginning, I wondered why it seemed like everyone else had it all figured out. I didn’t even know what I wanted to major in.

Fortunately, I was blessed to find a supportive circle of friends on the very first day of NSO week. However, I sometimes felt that settling into my comfort zone being around my people had held me back in a way from pushing further. I constantly compared myself to others, trying to find my place and purpose. But looking back, I realize I have already achieved so much in my own way.

I moved 13 hours away from my hometown to a new state, stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing independence. I earned a 4.0 GPA in my first two semesters, demonstrating my dedication and perseverance. It has not been easy learning to advocate for myself when I do not understand concepts at school and spending days in teachers' office hours, I accomplished that. I have created meaningful friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. Throughout this journey, I have learned more about myself, created impactful experiences, and grown in ways I never imagined possible.

While I may not have started a club or won a pageant, I have built a life for myself living on campus, far from my family and hometown, and thriving in an unfamiliar environment. My journey is uniquely mine, and I am proud of how far I’ve come.

Now that I have laid a solid academic foundation, my focus for the coming years is to give back to the next generation of freshmen. I aspire to start my own club impacting their journeys by guiding them to trust their own paths and practice patience with themselves. I want to serve as a source of encouragement and support, helping others navigate the challenges of college life with resilience and confidence.

This experience has taught me that success isn’t measured by comparisons to others, but by the perseverance, growth, and accomplishments of my own story. I am committed to continuing this path of self-discovery and achievement, and I look forward to empowering others as they are creating their own paths toward success.