During Haleigh’s second semester she wrote an essay for the UC alumni contest with the prompt “What does success means to you?” Below are Haleigh’s own words…
Business, economics and the stock market dominates much of today’s world. Although these are important factors for maintaining a sense of financial stability throughout the globe, the dramatic emphasis on money and material items have become the defining standard for success. The more wealth and assets within a person’s possession, the more one is considered successful. However, these factors are just a small portion of what true success really looks like, and just a fragment of what society should use to measure the success of its people.
The shape of success is fluid and malleable and is something different to each individual. For some, success is accomplishing personal goals that may not have a broader impact on society. For others, success could be achieved through the execution of actions that have a greater societal benefit.
In my own life, success is a delicate balance between personal achievement and societal contribution. My perspective on life changed drastically since being diagnosed with “epilepsy” last December, following completion of my first semester at UC. Forced to adapt my lifestyle into a new and unfamiliar territory, my ability to comprehend this unexpected hardship proved difficult. But through faith, family and friends, I began to see how the definition of success is truly situational. Success in this aspect of my life means owning and overcoming my health struggles, so that “epilepsy” does not define or limit any of my capabilities. As with all things, there are times that I struggle and lose sight of hope and health. But, success is prevailing through those moments of doubt, and persevering through obstacles, so that I can continue to improve my health and live a better tomorrow.
Additionally, I believe that serving my community is a crucial factor for success, because it is important to guide and support others in ways in which they are unable to help themselves. I use my own struggles as a means to relate, help and educate others. My background and my story is unique among my peers, and thus, an opportunity to build upon for those with whom I am closest. If any minute detail or major milestone of my journey can be of some value to anyone else, it is worth my time and effort to serve as an educational tool. These instances are markers of success because I know that I am committing myself to educate others, and how the general public should view and care for their health and well-being.
Success does not have a concrete definition that is applicable to each and every situation for any individual. Every person on this Earth will have something different to which they consider their greatest success. Above all else, we as a society should learn that success is personal, but no success story is worth less than another. Success is in the eye of the beholder. In my life, my greatest success story has been and will continue to be how “epilepsy” unexpectedly turned my life upside down and my ability to conquer that hurdle. While striving for good health, the University of Cincinnati has been the ultimate place to thrive. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA and will soon be inducted as the next president of Lambda Pi Eta for Communication majors. This university is my home, and I know that UC is the best atmosphere to help me achieve success."