Because I left so suddenly, I never had a chance to get my high school transcript. I ended up having to continue high school in the United States with no trace of my previous education. With about seven months left after graduation and several failed attempts to get my transcript, my high school counselor decided it was time for me to start retaking online classes and taking required exams. I went from going to school for seven to eight hours to eleven hours every day. At this point I had no social life. I had sleepless nights and felt overwhelmed at times. Most people who knew my story (even though they encouraged me) doubted that I would be able to finish it in time. They said I had a lot of work to do in such a short amount of time. Despite all this, I never gave up. I had too much at stake. I wanted to make my mother proud. I wanted to be able to say it myself