10. My son: I am acutely aware that he is paying attention to everything I do or don’t do. It’s so overwhelming to think my missteps could affect his wellbeing. But this burden also propels me to try harder, to face everything the new day might throw at me with courage and tenacity, if only so I can look in his eyes and feel I’ve done the best I can for him.

9. My family: I was the first one in my immediate family to get a master’s degree, and I will be the first to earn a doctorate. They keep me going because I want to make them proud.

8. The other people who have helped me make it this far: babysitters, moneylenders, sideline cheerleaders, advice givers. They believe in me, so I believe in me.

7. My faith: My belief in God has sustained me through tough times, and I know it will continue to do so.

6. My students: I am currently working with elementary school children. I want to be a good role model to show them what they can do if they put their minds to it.

5. The past me: For the little girl who dreamed of this the way some people dream of being famous actors or sports stars.

4. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone: I lost a sister-in-law at 32. No one says I’m going to wake up in good health tomorrow with the ability to “get it all done.” I want to do as much as I can while I still can.

3. I’ve sacrificed a lot to be here: The day I met my husband, the day I found out I was pregnant, the day I had to have an emergency C-section—none of that was planned, yet these events were all life changers. The net result was more grown-up responsibilities and less time to do the things I’d always wanted to do. But you’re here, you say, so it turned out OK. I’ll only say the journey here has involved serious sacrifice and a fight against other opinions of what a person with “responsibilities” can do. If you’re young, unencumbered and you have things you want to do, don’t wait.

2. The current me: I look in the mirror and see someone who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it. I don’t want to disappointment this person and return to the much-less secure me who didn’t believe in herself.

1. The future me: Ten years from now I want to be able to say I gave it my best shot. I’m OK with a few regrets because we all make mistakes. What I don’t want or need is the thought that I could have done it if only I had pushed myself a little more. I want to always be proud of the decisions I’ve made and the things I did.