Going to work first, and then continuing to work as a fulltime college student, has made me appreciate school more now than I would have if I had gone straight from high school and into college. Since graduating from high school a year and a half earlier than expected, about a month after earning my diploma and turning 17 years old, I signed up with the military to ship out to boot camp. Following my stint as a forward scout of an airborne infantry unit, I worked in construction and even owned my own masonry business for 3 years. Initiated by the recession, when the opportunity to go to college presented itself I jumped at the first chance. While I was working toward earning a degree in the nursing field with National American University, …show more content…
One thing in particular that has been helpful in how I understand my education in its entirety has been my capstone research course during this fall semester, where I was given the opportunity to demonstrate how I saw a way that my academic experiences could be applied to real-world scenarios. With that opportunity, showing off my abilities, I demonstrated that I have gained invaluable research experience during my undergraduate studies while at the U of …show more content…
I would like to move back to Arizona and continue my education as a graduate student because I am confident that I will be able to be more effective in helping others after obtaining my Masters in Counseling from Arizona State University; and after reading my personal statement, I hope you are considering me for admission in to the graduate program because I have been able to effectively communicate how it will be mutually beneficial for both ASU and myself to have me as a student as I continue working toward achieving my academic and professional
During my freshman year in high school, my mother remarried and I had to move from Colorado to Kentucky. One year later, we relocated back to Colorado after they divorced. During my junior year in high school, my mother remarried again and I had to change schools again, although we remained in Colorado. Thus, I did not have a sense of continuity during high school and although I recognized that my path would lead me to college, I was not ready to commit myself to school full time. Instead I went to work full time as a grocery clerk and worked my way up to assistant manager. I then moved into customer service work and finally fell into an advertising manager position. I took several night courses during this period until I was ready to commit to school full time. Although I could have continued with work, I knew that it was not what I wanted to do and once I committed myself to attending school and realized that I wanted to study Sociology, I have proven myself to be an above average student. This past year, I earned all "A"s in my courses.
First, I went to college at the age of fourteen, while also attending one of Dallas’ best high schools- Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Early College. Although most people that I know have all claimed that that was a wonderful opportunity- which it was, for it did enable me to attain my Associate 's degree before my high school diploma. Nevertheless, it also had a negative effect on me.
Regretfully, when I entered high school I did not realize how hard I had to work to get what I wanted. I went to my classes, did my work, but never really pushed myself to my full abilities. I thought that as long as I graduated with decent grades I would be able to get into college and really focus then. But as high school quickly came to an end I realized that I was not as well prepared for college, as I would have liked.
It is said that the college experience is not for everyone. That not everyone can achieve the high expectations of everything that encompasses the requirements that are needed to successfully complete the work required. When I first started college I felt like I was one of the ones that did not belong, but as I struggled through each class I slowly learned that the possibilities for me to succeed where there. By looking over my previous essays, this essay will examine and help express how I have achieved what was required of me in this class.
Honestly speaking, I was an eager child to attend school. Around middle school and high school I became less focused on school and more focused on whether or not people liked me and baby sitting my mother's alcoholic boyfriend. Focusing on these things instead of my school work I ended up doing poorly in both my education and personal life. Coming from a household where neither adult had attended college it was not expected of me to attend either. Not only am I in college now but I plan on earning two degrees. The opportunity to be able to do what I love everyday can only be achieved through education. I want to advance my life and help out others at the same time. I believe people learn just how important education is in different ways. It took me a six year break from college to understand that not only did I need an education to advance further in life but I also craved the learning experience.
After high school, I did not see myself going to college because I didn’t apply myself academically. The saying “college isn’t for everybody” which I thought applied to me since high school was a struggle for me. During the time I was working in the fast food chain, I befriended an older lady who encouraged me to think about my life whether I wanted to have a job all my life or a career. As a result, of receiving that motivation I put my two weeks’ notice in a searched for a school I would like to apply and possibly attend. Also my gap year encourage me to look into enrolling because I wasn’t happy with working a minimum wage job when I didn’t have to a could’ve been doing anything else. By taking a year off I seen my friend’s getting intern positions and opportunities outside of school. However, my gap year was coming to a close and my options were running out I had to make a choice. I didn’t choose college just because I was running out of time, I chose it so I can experience college and the opportunities that can be created.
I felt as if I was on a different planet, as much as I tried to understand I was still lost in the woods. That day I got home nearly in tears because I didn’t want to fail the math class, for a second I thought about quitting, but then with a positive attitude, I decided to give it a second opportunity. College was different from high school, attending College is like going to a shopping center, the same people enter the same store, but many of them don’t know each other, and the classroom walls are plain white, no painting or decorations. The students are responsible for their actions, assignments and attendance if they pass or fail their class is their responsibility. Returning to school is a whole new experience, in a way I felt excited to be able to expand my knowledge and prepare for a better future. On the other hand, I am blessed with more responsibilities than just school. Now I am compromised to my kids that depend on me. It’s not just homework, also helping my kids with their homework, doing laundry, cleaning the house, and caring for my kids. To be honest, it’s not easy attending college it’s like having another child. I commit to my classes and assignments, just how I do it with my children. Attending college and being a mother, a spouse, and an employee does squeeze my energy. I knew it wasn’t going to be simple, but I also knew it was not impossible. I continued my education, and I know taking baby steps will benefit my future. “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” (Brian
Going back to college was something I've been wanting to do for a while now. I chose to get married and we soon started a family right after. Three kids, later there wasn't any time for me to do anything for me. Now that my kids are getting older it's allowed a little more time for me to go for my dreams and work towards my goals.
My undergraduate degree at DTU has laid the groundwork for me through a well-designed curriculum that has helped me develop...
We spend four years of our lives attending high school. Going through high school is supposed to prepare us for college and “the real world.” Throughout these four years we begin to better understand our choices for college majors, but we don’t get presented with the financial and time struggle that we will face. College costs money, along with everyday living. When attending college we become more independent and are faced with the problem of coming up with money and finding a balance between time for work and school. Though it may seem like working through high school is a bad idea, it could better prepare students for “the real world.”
My High School life has helped shape the way for my college experiences that I will face. My senior year in high school is not the same as many other high school students. I am taking many advanced classes to help me prepare for college. These classes help me better understand exactly how much harder I must work to succeed.
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.
First off, the college life has changed me for the better. I am much more responsible in many different ways. I had to change my study habits, or should I say I have to get study habits. I high school I never studied, because everything came so easy to me and I could just do the work and end up with passing grades. When I reached college I tried to do the same thing and it didn’t work. I had to start studying on a daily basis and it was hard to go from not doing any work to studying every night and on the weekends, I wasn’t use to that, but I had to make it a habit or I was not going to make it. Going to school everyday was not a problem because my parents made me go everyday, my major change was my study habits.
Going to college did not seem like a reality when I was submitting applications senior year. My choices were to stay home, work, attending the local university, and pay my way through, or get a scholarship to attend another university. Fortunately, I have been able to receive enough aid to support me without having a need to work. I have always been grateful for having a supportive mother who raised and put my sister and I through college. My mother came to this country where she worked while getting an education, ambition that has rubbed off. From a young age, I quickly learned the value of the dollar, and if I wanted something it was not going to come at my request, but would have to be earned, meaning I would have to pay for it. While in
High school has been a very interesting experience for me. It has definitely had its highs and lows and many confusing experiences in between. Overall, I feel like I have been equipped for not only college, but also life as a whole. High school has taught me many things, both academically and emotionally. It has revealed and exposed my true colors, both good and bad, and as a result, has built many aspects of my character. My experiences at Alameda High school and Alameda Community Learning Center have shaped me into the person that I am today.