Chapter 9: Drifting Forward

College wasn’t easy. Ethan faced imposter syndrome among peers with elite backgrounds. He failed a marine chemistry midterm and nearly switched majors.

But he remembered Dr. Keller’s words. He sought help, joined study groups, and stayed curious.

During his junior year, he led an expedition to study coral bleaching in Florida. He mentored younger students and found his voice.

By graduation, he was offered a graduate position at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute—the dream.

His parents, sitting in the front row, stood clapping as “Dr. Ethan Blake” crossed the stage.