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News headlines are terrifying. Every individual in the United States is affected by the current economical status of our country. Small local hometown businesses are being shut down, large corporations are declaring bankruptcy, and insurance rates are increasing at a rate so high many cannot even afford to go to the doctor's office. What on earth is happening to our country and how can we possibly be optimistic? How can we still believe in the "American Dream?"
At the beginning of this New Year, I am in my sophomore year of college and preparing to apply to nursing school. Last year, I realized that I needed to avoid the heavy load of college loan debt and the ever-increasing interest rates, so I gave up my desire of graduating from a university. I transferred home to a local college and changed majors from pre-medicine to nursing to further avoid loan debt and have a career that I could begin within two years. Because I am going to a college close to home, I am saving in the long run. Although I do have a couple thousand dollars I do need to begin to pay back in loan debt, it is nothing like the amount that I would have had to pay back if I graduated from a prestigious university. Situations like this have helped me to realize that as long as I continue to make money smart decisions, the American Dream and prosperity are still possible
You might be asking yourself how I could possibly be so optimistic when our country is in such a state of physical and mental depression. The truth is, I simply cannot afford to become pessimistic. Since my transfer, I have increased my GPA and more importantly I am studying for free through a state grant. This semester I am finishing up my pre-requisites and looking forward to applying to nursing school at the end of this semester. I am nothing but optimistic for the future.
In these trying times, the American Dream is only alive so long as America continues to look with hopeful eyes towards the future. The future of America belongs to people like myself who have not given up faith. The future belongs to those who still believe in "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Things will not get better in America unless we still continue to be optimistic and believe in the American Dream.
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