When reading this prompt I immediately thought of my first day moving into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. My parents never had the chance to go to college and when they helped me move in it was a moment that I knew I would remember the rest of my life. For many it is special but, it wasn’t necessarily that I was at college it was more about how I got out of my comfort zone and made it happen. I was never really pushed by my family to pursue further education. I am the first in my family to go to college and it’s honestly a blessing to be able to have the opportunity that others don’t have. I plan on also being the first to graduate in my family from a University. I’m really hoping that I influence my fellow peers and family …show more content…
Growing up in high school I was molded by work ethic. At only the age of 16 I knew what my plan was for college and I worked hard to save my money. I skipped all the parties, football games, and late nights doing things that wouldn’t contribute to my future. I was in charge of a stain crew from age 16-19 which wasn’t a typical teenagers job after school. I started community college and I was unsure about being a business major because I had never had a business related position. Eventually I made the bold decision to walk into the sales office to talk with the sales manager about working with him. Luckily the sales manager liked my determination and spoke with the other employees in administration that knew me, thus resulting in my new position in sales. I have always believed that if a person wants something enough that it is usually attainable with effort. Starting my first position in sales confirmed my passion for enriching the lives of others through business. During my Freshman year of college, I was working the full time sales position and going to college full time. I was only 19 and had 3 years of manger experience and now was selling and designing log cabins. This was a win-win situation for me and certainly the CEO of the company because I got some great experience and he got a low cost employee to generate revenue. I lost a lot of friends when I learned how to prioritize reaching my goals and I
I’m raised in an environment filled with negative stereotypes, high dropout rates, fewer resources, and low expectations. As a Mexican American from the San Fernando Valley, educational opportunities do not come often. In middle school it massed into my head that going to college is my way towards success. Soon it became the only option for me and as a result, I joined Project Grad to begin my journey towards college. They introduced me to the Chicano Youth Leadership Conference during my junior year. After applying and attending, the conference eliminated the label that Latinos are not college material. Subsequently, I grabbed as many opportunities as I could. In my junior my school did not put me in any AP classes. Therefore, I went to go
Midway into my sophomore year of high school is when I learned that my family will be moving to Massachusetts due to my father’s job relocation. At first, I was set to move to Massachusetts with my family, which meant transferring to my third high school in three years and having to switch to a different club soccer team during the most important year of recruiting for college soccer. Then, an opportunity was presented to me in which I would be able to stay at my current high school and my current soccer team. The opportunity being that I would stay with a close family friend who attended the same school and plays for the same soccer team, but in exchange I would have to leave my mother and father for the next two years of my life. My family and I thoroughly discussed the plan and after many heated arguments and fights, we finally decided that I would stay behind and stay with the Williams family for the next two years of my life. This life changing opportunity has slowly but surely helped me transition from a child into a young adult.
People who are educated make a million dollar more money than uneducated people. Education is the sole weapon to sweep poverty from our community. A person who is educated can bring a difference in a community. In this information technology era, people who are educated can perform or compete with others. Anyone who was not educated or did not attend college should not be discourage no matter how old they are because education is something that can make a difference in a person’s life. I believe education can transform a person’s life to a better future and prospers life.
Changes in life can be tough to go through and sometimes they can be easy. Some of these things are harder than others and some can be a better choice. Like moving is one thing that changed my way i looked at people. Then there is growing up, growing up can be hard. Last but not least there is education. These things that you experience can change your perspective on how you look at life.
My parents think of themselves as primarily self-sufficient. Because of this, we live on the peak of a hill in the middle of nowhere, far away from the hustle and bustle of our old home in the city. Although this is their ideal life, they realized that it may prevent me from expanding my own horizons. They have always encouraged me to follow my interests, even when it meant moving away from home at sixteen to go to college. Throughout my entire childhood, they have done everything in their power to ensure that I am prepared for the future. I believe that my parents have crafted me into a well-rounded individual by proving to me that any person can define their own version of success.
Transitioning from the Democratic Republic Of Congo to the United States was a challenge that my family and I had to overcome. The main reason why we moved was because my father wanted a better life for my siblings and me. My father did not make enough money to pay for our education, food, housing, and other things. With the little money that he did make, he would give some to my mom so she could buy clothes and sell them in order to put food on the table. More often than not my mom was unable to sell anything so, we would go to my uncle's house to see if he could provide us with at least rice to eat with sugar. In my family's eyes, at least, the rice was better than not eating at all. One day, my father's friend called him and told him that there was a lottery game people were playing and if you won, you would be given the chance to go to the United States. My dad was the only one from my family who was allowed to play and after eight months had passed we were informed that we won! We were all so happy and ready to start a new life in America! The new excitement about moving to a better
When I was 5 my life changed completely. My sister and I were abandoned by our mother and father. I was then raised by my aunt and uncle along with my grandparents. I was taken in and loved as if I was their own. I want to show them and myself that no matter what happens in life that I can succeed and accomplish anything I set my mind to. Therefore, I am pursuing an Associates degree and the first generation in my family to go to college first generation in my family to go to college.
Explain any difficulties or obstacles you’ve overcome (immigrating to the US, learning the English language, being the first family member to attend college, etc.)
A fork in the road only appears as such when both paths are seen as viable options; yet, once one path becomes seen as the only one, the other devolves into a deviation. Where the aberration would require justification to travel down, the perceived correct course would require justification to not travel down. This is precisely how the false question of attending college was presented to me: it was a matter of when not if. Upon inheriting white looking skin, a middle class family, and a pat on the back for bringing home white sheets of papers with little red “A”s written in the top right corner, it was ascertained that I was to be a productive and successful engineer after paying for college with hard-won scholarship money. In short, there were several socio-economic factors that contributed to my eventual position in college.
Many people, since I was little, pressured me into going to college. My parents didn't mind what I decided, all that mattered is what makes me happy. They would support me no matter what my heart decided to do. Over the years family members tried to persuade me into believing that without a college degree you'll never become successful. To them, college had to be a part of my future which I think is the main reason I decided that college would be for me. Ever since I was told that I started to disagree and pushed myself to realize that I wanted to prove them wrong. I can do anything I want and accomplish any goals I have as long as I set my mind to it. College isn't the only way to become successful, working can get you places you never thought possible.
I am from Colombia, South America and have been living here for 10 years. When I was living in my country, I started studying in the university. My major was Psychology but I had to stop my studies due to some personal problems. When I came to this country, I wanted to return to the University but there was always an obstacle. After so many years, now I have the opportunity to do it; it is challenging, but I will put all my effort to accomplish my goal.
Growing up, parents are your biggest fans and worst critics. My parents have loved me unconditionally and have tried to give me the world. As their child I tried to give them what they wanted in return. I keep my good grades and excel in athletics. I’ll also be the first person in my family to go to college.There’s a point in your life when you realize that you can’t give them the perfect child. Yes I’ve made mistakes and done things that I shouldn't have. I understand the anger, the hurt, and the disappointment that I’ve caused throughout my upbringing. In the end, some parents are more critical than others, and I got the short straw. Making your kid feel like they’re the reason you’ll leave one day kills. This most recent disappointment might be
When grabbing my assignments off of the printer in the office for high school, something always seems to catch my eye. The bright streetlight shining through the window reflecting off mounted frames with very important pieces of paper inside. I stand there and lean out of the way of the light beaming into the room to read each line. I have done this with my parent’s degrees ever since I was little. I always knew they were important and that someday, I too would have them. Now, I realize how these pieces of paper are much more than a degree; they are hard work, sacrifice and opportunities.
The thought of moving to Florida nauseated me. I can't believe my fucking mom. We have the perfect life in New Jersey. Im an Honor roll student, she has a good paying job and a wonderful husband. It baffles me why she would even consider leaving. Especially in the ending of the school year. As I packed a collage of me and my friends I broke down.
For many, after graduating high school the next big step is college. I never asked myself why or if I even wanted to. Yet, since I was not yet ready to join the work force, and didn’t want to disappoint my parents, I simply followed the path that I was supposed to take. For a while I had no direction, but through the loss of my high school English teacher and my dream of making my family proud, I discovered that college was the place I wanted and needed to be.