First essay for school, oh boy.......

Monday was my first day in college in over 15 years. Leading up to the first day of class I was excited, eager to learn more and meet some new people. Before class even started I was really stressed out due to things going on in my personal life and the lives of a few that I really care about. Once class started I was really feeling like I didn't belong there. I wanted to walk out the door and go back home.
Our instructor asked us to write a short essay that she would read to gauge where we were at with writing. The essay was not filled with many positive things as you'll read next.

"I let myself get defeated easily. I give up and don't like to try at thins that challenge me. Take school for instance, as I sit here I really want to drop the class and get my money back.
Most of my life things have comes easily for me. In high school I gave up. I slept in class or didn't show up at all. Finally I dropped out during my senior year because an addiction had become more important. Feeding my addiction was hard too, but I knew what the payoff would be and that to me was worth it.
I don't know if I'm in the right class right now or not because I've never written an essay . I lack the understanding of how to build one.
I work a job that requires more physical than mental efforts.
Bottom line , I may drop this class and school because I just want to give up. Maybe things in my personal life these last few days are pre-occupying my mind too much. I'd rather be there for my hurting friends more than to help myself"

So that's what I wrote, feeling down on myself and sad for my friend's pain. My instructor wrote a few notes on my essay.

"I love the oxygen analogy on airplanes, they instruct us to put on our own masks on before trying to assist the person next to us"
"Bryan, it sounds like dropping may be old behavior, I am very familiar with that, it took me a few times to get going in college, I hope you stay. You don't need to know how to write an essay; that's what we're here to learn :-) Welcome"

I read her comments after a better class last night and am glad that I didn't drop the class.
I happy to have an instructor who is understanding and supportive