Hi, my name is Daniyah Wills, but I go by Niyah. I am currently a senior. I did not believe I would make it to where I am due to growing up fast. Growing up fast was a significant challenge for me. It required me to take on responsibilities and make decisions beyond my years. Due to my family circumstances, my personal purpose, and unexpected life events quickly overwhelmed me. I found myself juggling my job, academics, taking the caretaking role of my family, and financial responsibilities that demanded maturity and flexibility. This hasty transition into adulthood lead to an emotional strain as I had to experience life earlier than my peers. Going to college and being a part of the EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) family provided a lifeline for those like me who had to grow up fast. Watching my single hardworking mom struggle to take care of my siblings and I made me question what I could do to help my mom? I thought of getting job to help her financially, but my mom was not too happy about that. All she wanted was for me to focus on school and not worry about her financial burden. This constantly brought arguments between us because we did not see eye to eye. I decided to go to college with no plan, but purpose to fulfill my mom’s wishes and find a job to take the burden off my mom’s shoulders. The struggles of growing up fast were an alarming challenge, but college is the safe place that offered me opportunities, educational, personal, and emotional growth to help me navigate through these challenges. The struggle of growing up fast is an intimidating challenge and I felt like dropping out of school, I would just think of my mother and my EOP family that got me to where I am today. I’m thankful for the University providing me with an environment where I could improve myself and for the opportunity to build a better, and more stable future, despite the hurdles I faced.
