While everyone was leaving their evening Classes after a long day learning about 9/11, I was in the hospital.

It was the first day of my third week at Ferris State University, and I missed all my classes that morning. I didn’t MEAN to, I was just so tired and my body hurt so much. I was positive that I had the flu. My roommate would come into our dorm in-between classes, bombarding me with tissues, vick’s vaporub, cough drops, and lemons. Especially lemons.

“You need to eat A LEMON, Ileyah! The citrus will boost your immune system! I can’t afford to get sick, and YOU can’t afford to miss any more classes! So LEMONS!” Right…

I all but injected myself with tea and honey, and (much to my roommates happiness) I ate as much lemon as I could tolerate, but to no avail. By the time the evening rolled around, I was desperate for some help. I called my mother, who supported my decision, and off to the hospital I went.

That night at the hospital, I was told I was healthy. My body said otherwise, though. I spent the rest of the week sleeping, struggling through the classes that I did go to, losing my voice and not being able to eat without getting sick. Eventually, I went home to see my primary doctor, and we had an answer: Mono.

After spending another couple miserable weeks at School, I ended up doing a medical withdrawal. I felt really ashamed of myself for a long time, because I was at my parent’s house sleeping my life away while most of the people I graduated high school with were working, going to school and starting their lives.

Then I heard about Full Sail’s online degrees, which gives you the opportunity to complete a Bachelor’s program in just 2 years.  I immediately was interested, because a 2 year program meant that I would no longer be behind, and that I could start applying for my dream job sooner.

Going to Full Sail has been the best decision I’ve made in a long time. I’m in the last week of my first class, currently pulling a 93.8, and I’ve never been more excited about learning. I found a degree that makes me excited for my future, in a school full of artistic, dream-chasing people just like me.

Getting sick was an obstacle on the track to my goals. But this was the obstacle I needed to push myself. I changed my goals, and made them better, and now I’m happier with what my future holds. I never thought I’d say this, but… I’m so glad I dropped out of school.