Courage I Didn't Know I Had by Victoria

Courage I Didn't Know I Had by Victoria - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

A moment when I discovered a new strength in myself was when my mom was in the hospital. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed and scared, like everything in my life was spinning out of control. Schoolwork was piling up, deadlines were approaching, and I felt like I couldn’t catch a break. I was exhausted, stressed, and honestly, I didn’t know how I was going to get through it. But in that moment, I realized that even though I couldn’t control everything around me, I could control how I responded. I gathered the courage to reach out to my professors, explained what was happening, and asked for extensions. It was terrifying to be so honest and vulnerable, but I did it anyway. That moment taught me that I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I can face difficult situations, ask for help when I need it, and keep moving forward even when life feels impossible. Since then, I’ve carried that strength with me into every challenge. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never feeling scared or overwhelmed—it’s about finding the courage to act anyway. That experience has shaped the way I approach obstacles, big and small, and has helped me grow into someone more confident, capable, and self-aware.