24

D.D

24
Never could past me imagine I’d be
graduating at 24
14-year-old me had a dream
To be graduating from UCSD

Applied freshman year and was rejected
But I just took that as redirection

Decided to go to community college
But a two-year break suddenly occurred
And I felt my dream was out of reach
During that two-year break, I had to move
So I decided to move in with my mother to focus on school

Covid happened and school became my full-time job
A job I spent countless hours on
Applied as a 2024 transfer and was accepted

However, the adjustment was more difficult than I expected
My commute is long and making friends tough
But I proudly pushed through and never gave up

Now two years later I’ll be walking in my cap and gown
With my friends and family cheering me on from the crowd

I will finally have my diploma in hand
Signifying the end of a long-held dream