Everyone says college was the best four year of their life and honestly I would definitely agree but most likely for a different reason.

In August of 2017 my family and I drove up from New Jersey to Fenway Boston for Move in day at Simmons UNiversity. We brought all my stuff up to my dorm and attended the speech from the president and then my family left. I did not hear from them until I was trying to come home for thanksgiving and then Christmas and then not at all for the next three years. I would reach out for birthdays and holidays and was told I was no longer a part of the family and to leave my parents alone. When I tried to reach out I would be yelled at about how I was ruining my life and how I was being selfish and making stupid decisions and was stupid. It was their way or the highway. But in my mind how could I leave a wonderful opportunity in Boston, my tuition was covered, I was working with amazing companies and was working on starting my own career. I was speaking at events and hosting my own events and building a community in Boston all by myself. All of these good things were happening to me and I was growing but it didn’t feel the best because I was continuously being put down by people who were supposed to be my biggest support.

Within the first month of coming to college I was sexually assaulted in my dorm room. He snuck into the building. He wouldn't let me leave my room. He left bruises around my neck. Luckily I had friends who cared and saved me from the situation and then eventually campus police who filed a restraining order on him.

By November of 2017 I had another big issue. My physical health. I was in and out of the hospital for 3 days with none of the doctors being able to figure out why I was bleeding nonstop and in SO much pain. Thankfully on the fourth day after switching hospitals Brigham and Womens was able to diagnose me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This meant I had to go on Birth control instantly and take it continuously because my body couldn't handle having periods. Finding this out and what it meant for my health in the long run was scary, especially dealing with it by myself and not having access to my health insurance from my parents. 

More recently I was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder along with having anxiety and depression. To show how terrible my depression is a normal person's serotonin level ranges from 50mg - 250mg in their brains. Mine is at 18mg. Way below the base level and yet most people would never know this. But because of this I decided to go on an antidepressant, not only were the circumstances in my life hurting me mentally but my brain is just not working completely. I had been fighting it for so long but I needed to take full control of my life for once.

Although these are not the only things that have affected my mental health in college and beyond these have been a hue factor. I am thankful though that I have found a team of people who I can now call my family who have supported me and gotten me through all of these tough times. I have been able to find a therapist and doctors who are about helping me become the healthier version of me. With each day comes new challenges but with each new day I am learning and improving and sharing so others can learn and grow to!

As always remember to continue to Learn Grow and Prosper!