By Sabrina Yuen
Student Ambassador
College of Pharmacy Class of 2027
Growing up, I always considered myself “above average” in school. I could easily breeze through classes with little effort and still maintain high grades. However, the transition from high school to university was a wake-up call. The study habits that once worked for me fell apart, and I found myself struggling to keep up. I went from being a straight-A student to barely passing my classes. In fact, I even had to retake Organic Chemistry I—not once, not twice, but three times.
But my story isn’t just about those early failures - it's about the growth that followed. The version of me in high school could never have imagined becoming a Student Ambassador, let alone serving as President-Elect of a large organization. In undergrad, I transformed from a socially awkward student with low academic standing to someone well-known in my department. This change didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t come without effort, but it’s a testament to how much one can grow when they refuse to give up.
I know all too well what it feels like to hit rock bottom and feel like a failure - and in my opinion, it's one of the worst feelings in the world. That's why I'm so passionate about supporting my peers. I believe no one should face those struggles alone, which is why I go out of my way to create study guides and Kahoots for my classmates. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed.
When I first came to MBKU, I didn’t expect much of myself. I thought I would just float under the radar, as I had in the past. But what I found here was completely different. The people at this school genuinely care - not just about themselves, but about each other. I’ve met incredible friends, fantastic mentors, and outstanding professors who inspire me every single day. I couldn't ask for a more supportive community.
Looking back, the biggest takeaway from my journey is this: your past struggles don’t define you. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail - it’s about getting back up, learning from those mistakes, and pushing forward. At the end of the day, your growth is what truly counts, and only you get to control your own fate.
