Seventeen years ago in 1998 I was born in El Paso, Texas to wonderful parents, Rafael and Rosa Isela Nevarez. For the following ten years, until 2008 we lived in a small house in San Elizario, Texas which was not ours. Two years and eight months after I was born, my sister Abby was born. When I turned five my younger sister, Ivonne was born by this time I was already in Kinder. My first challenge was in second grade at Alfonzo Borrego Sr. Elementary School. Especially because the teachers had told me that I was a slow learner, and they would have to lower me a grade level, as a consequence I would not go further than third grade . According to the teachers they had to administer a test to conclude where they had to place me, however, my mom defended me and …show more content…
After thinking about it, I realized that it was a great opportunity, especially because my parents could not afford to pay for my college and financial aid would not be enough to pay all my studies. Months later I was called into the counselor's office, when I arrived Mr. Medlin the principal of the new program was there. He told me that I had been accepted into Clint Early College Academy. The next thing to do was challenge the college entrance exam, Accuplacer. This was the beginning of my new journey, high school, and soon enough college. I have to admit that I had no idea what I was getting into; believe it or not it took me more than four tries to finally pass the college test. In the course of that year my life was filled with so much stress and pressure from my teachers, which several times I thought of dropping out. After almost a year later in 2013 when I passed the test I took my first two college classes, Education 1300 and Art Appreciation. From that summer on I took college classes while taking high school classes. Finally, at the end of my junior year I finished my Associate's Degree, making me part of the first cohort group and school that graduated with an Associate’s Degree and even before
Graduating high school was really exciting for me, but at the same time I was apprehensive because I knew it was a significant milestone in my life and I didn't know what to expect with college. However, the freedoms provided by college ending up being wonderful. I love being able to completely manage my time on my own and make my own decisions. I graduate college next May. If I were not going to grad school I would probably be dreading it because I don't think I'm ready for the "real world" and having a 9-5 job yet. So, since I am continuing my education it's going to be exciting since I will be moving to a new state and meeting new people.
I began to look at college as a fresh start of life. I had the opportunity to change anything I want about myself. However, the day before leaving, I wanted to change my mind, I no longer wanted to leave everything that I have known for my entire life. But, I refused to show my new feelings because I knew it was a common feeling among other college bound freshman. After some tears and deep breathes, I realized I always wanted to go away to school and if I backed out, I would regret my decision for the rest of my life.
High school is meant to be the time of your life, but for most seniors just like me it can be some of the most emotional and crazy time. The things in my past make me who I am today, and the things I do now are the first footsteps into the future. I’ve learned a lot about myself in these past four years, and I still have so much learning to do. This is my high school story; the good, bad, and the ugly.
When I was entering into High School, I tried to join as many clubs as I can, since I wanted not only to be superior in grades, but also extracurricular activities. So as usual, I joined Key Club. At first volunteering at the events was fun, but as I went to more events, it felt as if it was a chore. I did not feel any passion; it was rather tiresome.
But of course, the voices of my aunts and uncles were always in the back of my head: "you're not smart" , "you're not trying hard enough", "you're not good enough", "just give up". And the fear of failure would make me nervous when a test was around the corner. I couldn’t ask my parents for help because they weren't literate in English and they were only Spanish speakers. I couldn’t ask my brother he was always playing outside with his friends and I couldn’t ask my cousins because they would only make fun of me and tell their parents. So, there was a time I stopped asking for help. My parents saw my struggle so they signed me up for afterschool tutoring. I didn’t know what to expect, I just hoped I would get the tutoring I need to pass my classes. The tutors were so understanding and they didn’t just have homework tutoring but activities for learning which were fun. They also had books they read to us and they made the big kids read to the little
But, once I graduate high school, my next step is to attend Tulsa Community College. There were several factors in this decision. Such as, I get to live at home still and continue to save my money. I get to attend for free since I live in Tulsa County and will perform forty hours of community service. Plus, the great thing about community colleges is that they accept anyone, whether they tried or did not try in school, students still have a way to continue their education. Community college allows for students to take the time to figure out what they want to do with their life. I am grateful I was presented with this option to attend Tulsa Community College, otherwise, I might be going to a four-year school, far away from my family, and I might be stuck in a major that I am no longer interested
Until this past spring I hadn't thought much about what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go for college. One day in the spring the junior class had a meeting in the auditorium about taking our ACT test and college plans. After that meeting I realized I needed a change, getting into college wasn't going to be a breeze, kind of how I had treated high school. Although I always considered myself to be fairly smart, I never had put much effort into school, but after seeing the facts and requirements to get into schools, and especially after hearing Ms. Rice saying "In today's world, the way to a successful future, is choosing college as your future", I knew I had to make an adjustment for the better so that college could be my future.
I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with my life after high school. I sat at home, on the computer, searching for careers and colleges majors online, night after night. I’d ask my parents, “What should I do with my life?” They would repeatedly give me the same answer, “Whatever your little heart desires.” That response just made me even more confused and frustrated because it reminded me of how many different options I had to choose from. I knew I wanted to continue my education by attending college, but there are so many aspects to think about when considering a college, such as, the type, cost, size, and distance of the college. I would stay awake in bed at night stressing about it. I knew I wanted to attend a college close
I spent much of my high school career researching colleges and universities. My mom and I traveled to well over 10 different colleges and universities in 4 different states trying to find the “perfect” school for me. By the end of my junior year of high school I had finally found the ideal school, or so I thought. The school was small, environmentally friendly, new, beautiful, diverse, and just happened to be located 1,000 miles away from home. Everyone at my small high school knew that I was going away to school and it was a huge deal because the majority of my classmates were going to in state schools. I traveled to the school multiple times for orientations, to meet my roommates, and to make sure it was the “perfect” school for me. Early May of my senior year of high school, right before graduation, I woke up with a feeling in my gut that this
I was born in Somalia, a country torn by a civil war where free public education does not exist. I lived there with my grandparents, who both wanted me to have the best education available. They both have started teaching me at an early age, where they taught me the Somali language, Arabic alphabet, and math, because they believed that learning these subjects at an early age will help me accelerate. As I reached school age, they have taken to the school in order to be tested. My test scores revealed that I was in the third grade level, although I was supposed to go to first grade. Eventually, I skipped first and second grade and dived right into third grade. The teachers knew about me, so they would always make me do the hard problems when everyone else was unable to solve them. This habit continued until I got to middle school, where my family decided that we should take things to the next level.
I decided to go for Vet Assisting Academy. I wanted to give it a try and see if I would like it. Admittedly, I actually really loved it. The Vet Assisting Academy gave me a bunch of options on what I wanted to become. In spite of this, I truly think I have something to hope for. Starting out a career in the animal field would be amazing. I decided to become a Veterinarian. I have been trying my very best in school to learn everything there is to become a Veterinarian. After years of high school, I finally graduated. I got a certificate in Vet Assisting and that was one step completed. I kept thinking over and over if this is the right choice for me. I look over the pros and cons of this goal, but I said “I believe in myself that I can make it through it.” I believe it's the best choice for me because I want to help and take care of animals. I have tried my best in school. Today, I am in college; pursuing my dreams. Never in my life have I felt so
Let’s flash back in time to before our college days. Back to then we had lunch trays filled with rubbery chicken nuggets, stale pizza, and bags of chocolate milk. A backpack stacked with Lisa Frank note books, flexi rulers, and color changing pencils. The times where we thought we wouldn’t make it out alive, but we did. Through all the trials and tribulations school helped build who I am today and shaped my future. From basic functions all the way to life-long lessons that helped shape my character.
Then, there was a school that caught my interest. What caught my interest about this school is that it had a corporate work study program and many of the classes had 100% colleges acceptances. I applied, and got accepted to this school. My envision of my future did not look so cloudy anymore. It began to clear up and become
As the end of my senior year in high school approached, I had to make an important decision. What school was I going to spend the next few years of my life at? When the financial aid packages arrived, I was torn between two colleges. After sitting down with my mother and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of both schools, I came to my final decision. It seemed like a year ago I was imagining what college life would be like and suddenly before my eyes, I would be a college student in a matter of four months.
I am not sure when, but at some point during my senior year in high school, life punched me in the face. I figured my only worry was getting my diploma without tripping on the stage. What no one told me---or what I did not care to pay attention to was that I needed to apply for scholarships, pick a college and, oh yeah, look for a roommate. Being the procrastinator that I am, I put all of it on the backburner. Then, as I said, life hit me. I realized I needed to handle all of it or I would spend my life flipping burgers. With time running out I got in a huge rush. I had looked into only three schools at that point. The University of Georgia, which was where I always dreamed of playing football---but it was really far from my parents. I also looked into Southeast Missouri State University, but that was because, the girl I liked in high school, who friend zoned me, wanted her best friend at college with her--- I am not getting into that, but that situation was not happening again. Then Edwardsville, a few of my friends were always talking about it and it was only 45 minutes from home.