Undergraduate / 'My mother is a woman of determination' who has had a significant influence on you [3]

I'm horrible at writing and need all the advice I can get..
This is for the common app

No one has a stronger influence on a person than his or her family. My family has had a huge impact on my life and who I am today, especially my mother. She's taught me countless principles in life, such as independence, respect, proper manners, and responsibility.

My mother is a woman of determination. She's now back in school and studying from the minute she comes home until the minute when she goes to sleep. Although difficult and definitely stressful, she never gives up. She's determined to keep pulling through and to finish out her schooling. She sets goals for herself and achieves them with high excellence and for this, I look up to her. Whenever I'm struggling in school I think of my mom and how if a 47 year old woman with many others stressful responsibilities can do it, so can I.

My mother's determination influences me and I try to obtain her determination while applying and meeting all the requirements for specific colleges. It has been a stressful and intimidating process for me, but I've been determined to make it through. I've set goals for myself and tried to achieve them just as she does. Taking the SATs was one of the more important goals I set for myself. I've taken them three times, determined to do better each one. Telling myself that if I struggle along the way, I'll remember my mom and how she never gives up.

Undergraduate / 'I see the resemblance of my mother' - COMMON APP [2]

I'm horrible at writing, this is my second attempt at a college essay. I need all the feedback I can get please :)
TOPIC: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

As I look in the mirror I see the resemblance of my mother; the same eyes, same smile and same facial structure. Upon meeting us, everyone comments on how we look alike. But resembling each other is not the only thing we have in common. Her drive for perfection and determination has been instilled in me over the years.

My mother is a woman of determination. She is currently enrolled in school, balancing studies, taking care of me and my siblings, and other important responsibilities all at the same time. Although difficult and definitely stressful, she never gives up. She is determined to keep pulling through and to finish out her schooling, just like me. My mother sets goals for herself and achieves them with high excellence and for this, I look up to her. If there is a time I struggle in school, I think of my mother and how if a forty-seven year old balancing many other stressful things along with studies can do it, so can I.

It all started in seventh grade; I sat in the meeting for varsity gymnastics wondering what I was getting myself into. I nervously looked around and knew no one. I had never done gymnastics a day in my life besides a day camp. My first day on the team didn't go as well as I had hoped. I was on the verge of quitting when my mom had a heart to heart talk with me. She said that I can do anything I put my mind to and to never give up. She told me about a time when she was a figure skater. She fell on the ice and hurt her head the first day, but the following day she was determined to try again. The next day of gymnastics, I set a goal for myself. Each day I was determined to work and master that goal. Ever since then, I've used this advice for not only gymnastics, but other things in life as well, such as in my own studies. If there is ever a time when I am struggling with something in school, I will always think of the positives and if I were to ever give up, how much regret I would face. I plan to carry out this attitude through my studies in college. Nursing is a tough field but I will be determined and strive for perfection, just like my mother.