Hey, let’s get real for a second—life is not a race. While some peeps slide through college, snagging their diplomas like it’s no biggie, a lot of us take the scenic route. Some are forced to detour due to money struggles, family drama, or mental health issues. For those of us who decide to press pause and come back, it’s a move that takes guts, even if it’s not always apparent to others.
Hey, I’m Yang, and this is my story about how I took a break for a year and then found my groove again to chase my dreams.
So, when the pandemic hit, it felt like the world turned upside down. Everyone was freaking out, confused, and just trying to survive. I didn’t immediately hit the brakes; I thought I’d give online learning a shot. But honestly? That was a significant failure. My Wi-Fi was weaker than my motivation, and when we switched to modular learning, my physical modules never showed up. I was left scrambling with an electronic copy that barely made sense. The workload was insane.
Every day was like a tidal wave of school projects crashing over me. I barely grasped half of what was going on, and the isolation was a total drainer. I felt this dark cloud hovering over me. “What if my classmates graduate, and I’m still stuck here, scrolling through Zoom?”
But then, a light bulb moment hit. I didn’t have to view my break as a failure; it was just a pause. Life isn’t about racing to the finish line; it’s about taking steps at your own pace.
When I finally decided to return to college, it felt surreal—like stepping into a completely different universe. My old pals had already graduated, and I was in a classroom filled with faces I didn’t recognize. But I wasn’t there to wallow; I was back to pursue my dreams. Sure, it was gonna be tough, but I could feel the excitement building up inside me.
These new faces welcomed me with open arms. Even though I felt a little out of place, I reminded myself that it’s cool not to know everyone right off the bat. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it also felt fresh to meet so many new people. They called me “Ate,” which was super sweet and made me feel valued. We’d chat about life and swap stories, and they even checked on me to make sure I was taking care of myself. That friendship and solidarity? Total vibes.
We’re nearly through the second semester now, and I’ve been throwing myself into our internship, which has been a wild ride. I’m picking up new skills, such as voice acting. Every single day, as I chip away at schoolwork, I feel this surge of motivation for the future. Journalism is my jam, but so is the dream of hustling hard enough to give back to my fam, who’s had my back since day one.
But just when I thought I had things on lock, the financial stress loomed like a dark cloud. I started to panic: Would I be able to support my family? That question hit me hard, making me doubt everything I was working toward. In those moments, I leaned into my faith for strength. My trust in the universe became my anchor, lifting me even on days when I felt low or was struck with a fever. I just kept pushing forward because I knew I had to see it through to the end.
I know my story isn’t special; many of us can relate to the struggles of returning to school and feeling like everyone else is ahead of us. We all have days when we question, “Is this even worth it? Am I making progress? Will I make it?” But when doubt creeps in, I hope we can bounce back with a fierce spirit.
Coming back won’t just be worth it; it’ll be a testament to our strength and resilience. And when we look back on this chapter, we’ll realize that every stumble and setback was just a part of our epic comeback story.