Heather returned to college and found a home at Mid.
My name is Heather, and I’m a college student. I didn’t realize how good it would feel to write those words, but it feels fantastic.
As a small town girl, from the rural community of Shepherd, I was not mentally prepared for college when I graduated high school. I was the kid that would hide in the back and didn’t like answering questions in the classroom. I had a huge fear of failure that led to anxiety. A combination I’m sure many others can relate to. I needed time to think for myself and experience the world so I could see what was needed to succeed.
I headed to a four-year university full of optimism, but I soon felt out of step in the large lectures and complicated processes. A classmate mentioned Mid might be a good fit, and I began researching my options. My first semester at Mid I was timid and shy, I really was just a ball of anxiety and stress. Turns out I wasn’t quite ready to tackle college just yet.
I worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant or CNA at several companies, but my heart wasn’t in it. I eventually landed a job at MyMichigan Health, and with a great support system on the job and at home, I took the plunge and re-started my college career.
I was able to register for courses that fit my life as a wife, mother, and full-time healthcare employee. That’s no small feat I can tell you! And I’ve been blessed to make connections with my instructors and classmates that are truly meaningful to me.
I feel like I have been granted a second chance to prove myself, and everyone at Mid has been there for me every step of the way—forgiving my mistakes, helping me get where I need to be, and believing in me and my goals.
As I continue to pursue my nursing degree, I wanted to share my story, to put it all out there. The starts, the stops, the failures, the triumphs. No one talks about what it is like to fail, and I want others to know that it is okay to fail, as long as you do not give up.