My Nana by Sophia

My Nana by Sophia - March 2026 Scholarship Essay

A time I helped someone in a meaningful way where I learned something about myself was when I was younger while growing up with my Nana. My Nana was never in the best health so she would ask me to do little things that helped her. I would clean her house every weekend, cook her meals when I was at her house, help her wash her hair and paint her nails for her too. We would go grocery shopping together where she would boss me around and if she asked me to do something, I would do it. Being very young ( around 10 years old) I thought I was just doing regular chores, but now as I reflect upon that time period I know I made a difference in her day to day life. I was able to help her do things that were progressively becoming more difficult for her and I also was there so she didn't feel alone.
I never realized how much I impacted my Nana's life, but I know now she looked to me as a big help/relief in her life. To me, I was just spending time with her but I know my actions helped her much more than that. After she passed away I realized I didn't just miss being with her and talking , but I missed being that person she looked to for help. This made me understand myself more, I found joy in being able to help people. This realization is what led me to realize I wanted to become a nursing major in college. I want to be a nurse who is there for patients in every way, especially so they don't feel alone. My goal in life is to help people in any way I can, I know by doing that I will be happy in life. I understand becoming a nurse can be rigorous as well as the job itself is very demanding, but I know this is the path I want my life to go. I think the only job that will fulfill me and my goals in life would be nursing.
If I was never put in the position to help my Nana and be there for her, I don't know if my aspirations would be the same. My Nana is a big part of who I am, she taught me so much about not just life, but also who I am myself and who I want to become. To many my actions might not seem like a very big deal, but I know I was a big help to my Nana and her being in my life shaped me.