I've always been a forward thinker — for better or worse.

I graduate college in two months and have been giving more thought to my life's trajectory. The people around me often encourage me to live more in the present, but I've always struggled with balancing my future ambitions with being present in the moment — it never really made sense.

These past few months, I've tried to appreciate my final innings as a college student while thinking about the future. I'm incredibly grateful for the people I've met, the opportunities I've encountered, and the failures I've grown from. But I'd be lying if I said my future wasn't constantly on my mind.

Graduating college will be a big transition, but I accepted this reality months ago — it's inevitable, and it's time to move on. As I step into adulthood, I'm focused on defining the kind of person I want to be. I want to be great.

To me, greatness means:

• Taking care of the people I love — financially, emotionally, and physically.
• Giving back to those less fortunate.

Greatness isn't just about success — it's about resilience. To take care of others, I have to take care of myself first — mentally, physically, and spiritually. If I'm not well, I can't help others. Thinking independently, being honest with myself, respecting my body are just a few examples of how I want to practice loving myself more. I know I'm not perfect, but I'm actively working toward these goals. If I ever fall short of these principles, I hope those around me will hold me accountable and correct me. Growth isn't linear, but I'm committed to staying on this path.

I want to be great because it's the best way to honor those who've invested in me — my parents, my friends, and God. They've sacrificed for me — whether through money, time, or guidance — and I want to prove that their investment was worth it.

My father often told me I have a strong work ethic, and asked where it came from. I was always unsure, and never had a real answer. I think I finally know now. It comes from a place of wanting to be the most grateful person I can be — by being great. I want to be great so that I can take care of my loved ones, give back to others, and prove that the investment in me was worth it.