TAMPA, Fla. — In less than two weeks, students will head back to college campuses across Florida. For many at Florida State University, it’ll be their first time back since April’s deadly shooting. 

That includes a Tampa Bay area woman who was injured in the attack.

10 Tampa Bay News first met Madison Askins in late April, just days after she was released from a Tallahassee hospital. Since then, she said she’s only progressed but admits some parts of the healing process are still tough.

During Askins’ Spring semester at Florida State, she was shot when another student opened fire on campus killing two and injuring several others. Not long after, she said wouldn’t let that moment define her or stop her.

And she hasn’t. With a fresh new look, trading blonde in for something darker, she’s ready to take on her final year in the master’s program.

“I’m getting ready to get back to campus,” Askins said.

She’s also moving around a lot better. Askins said she doesn’t rely on her walker as much despite still having a bullet lodged in her spine.

For now, she said doctors are unsure if it will need to be removed. Still, she spent her summer balancing health appointments with an internship in Nashville.

“I learned so much, I’m so glad I went,” Askins said. “Physical ability wise definitely sucked. It did hurt. The good news is my company was very understandable. They helped me get a standing desk which made it so much easier.”

She admits certain moments still hit her hard.

“I do seek counseling, I do have triggers, I acknowledge all of that, but I keep going,” Askins said.  

She said reminders that she’s “unconquerable” come from all around her family, friends, the university, and even her new emotional support cat, Nav’I.

“He’s my little ESA animal; we’re taking him up to Tallahassee,” Askins said.

Her biggest advice to other students? Don’t let fear take control. She said bad things happen, but staying connected and checking in with others can make all the difference.

“I would say make sure that you have those hard conversations with your loved ones about crisis situations and what to do because it can save you or a loved one,” Askins said.  

Askins said she will be moving back to Tallahassee later this week. Classes start on Aug. 25, and Askins plans to finish out her master’s program for urban and regional planning with hopes to graduate in May.

Phoenix Ikner is the FSU student police say conducted the mass shooting. He is facing two first-degree murder charges and seven attempted first-degree murder charges. His trial is set to start in November.