Graduate Essays - Gwyneth Canlas: Always follow your dreams and do what you love

My dream of becoming a Nurse has been something I had imagined my entire life. I was able to fulfill the goal of achieving my degree along with finding myself in the process. 

I didn’t think I would be involved with Student Life at Elgin Community College to focus on my classes. Once I discovered Associated Nursing Students, I kept thinking, ‘What could I do to help my community?’ I would never have thought I would serve as Secretary my first semester of the nursing program and further on be President for three more semesters.

I fell in love with creating a special bond between fellow nursing students, collaborating with other clubs, designing events to benefit the local community through donation drives, educating those around us, and planning neighboring volunteer outreach opportunities. ANS has helped me become a leader in ways I didn't know I could be. 

My advice for future students would be that everyone's journey isn’t linear. Always follow your dreams and do what you love; it doesn’t matter how or when you get there. There will be difficult times, but remember what you are working towards and why you started.  

Gwyneth Canlas ‘23 

Associate of Applied Science - Nursing