“Becoming a cardiologist takes 10 years, so I was like, ‘Why not knock a year off?’
At first, the idea of graduating early started off with my friend saying that she wanted to. I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I should try that,’ because I was also taking the fact that I want to go pre-med in college into consideration. After I’m done with high school, I’m going straight into college. I’m trying for Houston Community College to get my normal classes done, and then the University of Houston to get a nursing degree and get hands-on medical experience. From that point, I want to apply to medical school and get on the path to become a cardiologist.
I want to become a cardiologist because I’ve lost too many of my family members to heart problems. One example was my uncle, who I didn’t actually know well because I was very little when he died of a heart attack. My grandma in El Salvador, who died of a stroke, didn’t have much access to medical resources. It was traumatic for my mom because they were really close with each other, and that was the moment that solidified it for me — I didn’t want to see my mom suffer any more than she needed to. Currently, my grandpa has an enlarged heart and some health problems that are difficult to go through, but if I can at least be there to help prevent it, then I’m going to try.
The fact that I’m graduating early is a big accomplishment in my family because they don’t come from much as immigrants, and I’m going to be the first generation to go into college and be pre-med. It’s an accomplishment not only for me, but for my mom, dad and brother. I’ve always looked up to my brother because he’s that type of sibling that you expect the least from, yet he gives you more and breaks your expectations of him. I’m trying to be him whenever it comes to hobbies, school and work. He was always on top of it, had top scores and was top five of his class, so I have to get up there.
My schedule has been very packed. During school, I tend to double task. I have online courses on Edgenuity, so I always have my computer out with me. My weekends are usually filled with endless hours of Edgenuity, as I had to postpone a lot of school work and dedicate extra study hours, especially when I had soccer games earlier in the year as well. I usually get home, take a one-hour nap and don’t stop doing work until around midnight. I take my dinners in my room, so I barely get to spend time with my family like how I usually would. Now, 95% of the time I’m in my room.
Taking the path of graduating early has made me into the type of person that I am today. Recently, people would see me with my laptop folded into a tablet, walking around looking all crazy. Most of my friends were like, ‘Are you not a little bit weirded out?’ I’m like, ‘No,’ because at the end of the day, it’s my education. I don’t care what people tell me. I’m like, ‘You do you babes. I will do me.’
Everything in high school seems easy because you have all these people to help you and lift you up if anything happens. But, having to double task during classes that take time away from my family gives me the perspective of how life might be when I won’t always have that free time where I can do whatever I want. It’s taught me that you can’t stay up on your phone until 2 a.m. You actually have to fall asleep early. You have to make some sacrifices. You’ve got to deal with the punches that they throw at you.
My biggest thing that I’m proud of is how I’ve been maintaining my good scores and finishing all of my Edgenuity before the due date, so I don’t have to constantly be pushing things back. I became better at keeping up with my own schedule. I can just have a chill year and end it off on a good note. It has taught me to be more responsible, on top of things and realize that I am more true to myself.”
