Divorce Affected My Life

Two parents and a child is what an average household contains. This, however, did not apply to my family. We were a happy family and would go out to eat, go to the park, and spend a tremendous time with each other. This picture began to slowly take a turn for the worst. Not much time was being spent with each other; we slowly started to fall apart. My parents started fighting and it happened ever so often, that I eventually got used to the regularly never-ending shouting voices. Wishing it would stop did nothing, but one day it all changed. My parents decided to get a divorce. This was an influential event that impacted my life significantly.
I didn’t take the news very well, just as any other 10 year old wouldn’t. My parents were splitting

up and there was nothing I could do. They decided for my brother and I to stay with my mom and my dad would be the one to leave. My dad packed his things and left. I couldn’t process this through my mind; it felt like it all happened instantaneously. Having a difficult time with the situation, I began to struggle with my performance in school. I could not do class work, homework, or participate in any activities. This caused my grades to go down and I started to distance myself from my friends. I kept what I felt bottled up and reserved away from anyone to see.
I thought I would never get over this ordeal. I could not see myself being happy without the one who I grew up most of my life with. It took time to realize that whining or holding on to the past was not going to make the situation any better. I took this situation to make myself a stronger and better person that my family needed. It forced me to grow up.
Living with one parent is difficult financially and emotionally, but it is manageable. Everyone is needed to keep this family running. From this I discovered a lot more about myself. When life as you are familiar with changes in the blink of an eye, I learned I could quickly stand on my own feet. It taught me that I should not depend my life on someone and that I need to do things on my own. I have gained a drive of motivation to be more independent, to succeed, and to create my own happiness.
I come from a low-income family because my parents only had a high school education. They do not know much about college and I will be the first person in my family to go to college. I want to be the first one who also finishes and graduates college and encourage my younger brother to do the same. Pursuing a career in the medical field will take many years, but to keep being motivated I will remember how much getting an education will mean to my family and I. I am a first generation student and I want to be successful in college and change the trajectory of my family.