Graduation Speech : Education And Career Path

A higher education has been an important priority in my life. While I realized a high school education was important, my parents expected more. They said if I wanted to succeed in life, a college education was something that I could not live without. What they don’t tell you is how exhausting and confusing the process is to get even into.

Every fall, millions of students return to school to learn about math and science, English and history, every weekday until summer finally returns. Year after year, the same fundamental classes return and, time after time, seem to faintly impact the students. Schools have been designed so you learn the same information, slightly more in depth, from kindergarten to senior year. What about topics that would further the student in their future after graduation? Schools emphasize the same core subjects throughout the years, but not the real life obstacles millions of millions of people face. What if schools required classes on survival, job interviewing skills, studying, how to pass the SAT- all classes which would further students in their

That’s when I knew I had to take control of my life. I began looking for GED programs and came across alternative high schools. I applied to Innovation Diploma Plus High School and went to the school for an interview. The adviser, Mr. Polanco told me I didn’t have the minimum requirements which were 10 credits and 1 regent exam. He told me I had to return to my school and pass my classes and reapply. At this point I felt discouraged, the teachers in my school weren’t willing to help me because of the impression they had of me. A few days later my mom received a call saying I was accepted into Innovation Diploma Plus and I knew this was the clean slate and I can become the person I knew I could be. Mr. Polanco told me that he convinced the principle of the school to take a chance on me although I was missing 1-course credit. I worked super hard to make sure I wasn’t another Spanish girl on the welfare line with a baby and no education in a state that offers education for free. In Innovation Diploma Plus, I received 35 credits in a year and a half. I was attending regular classes, classes after school, I even switched my lunch period for another

College has been characterized as the “ideal” career path after high school. In high school, the objective is to prepare students for a higher education and career. Students are informed of all the benefits of going to college, such as higher paying jobs and more opportunities; however, not many instructors give as much attention to the common occurrence of a student facing debt.

Once I completed my freshman year of college, I turned to my mother for advice, as I simply could not see myself in a classroom setting again. I slowly gained a more positive perspective on college through reflecting on my mother’s experience in advancing her education. She utilized her life experiences to prove that while college can be extremely difficult it is worthwhile. Some regard college “merely as a process of accreditation with an economic-social end in view” (17). Nonetheless a degree is not only key to financial stability, but a way to transform your passions into a profitable career. Without her master’s degree, my mother would have been in a dire state when her job of nineteen years was eliminated four years ago by the new

When I finished junior high school I enrolled in a training program to teach elementary students in some of the most remote regions of Mexico. I was excited about the prospect of teaching reading, writing, and mathematics to underprivileged students in areas of my country that needed education more than anything else to bring them into the modern era. I had seen the difference a few good teachers had made in my life. It was one of my earliest ideas to help the youth in my country rise above the limitations of their past and see the possibilities available to them with hard work in school.

The decision to pursue secondary education has always been a goal throughout high school. As a successful high school student and a potential first-generation college student, the idea of successfully obtaining a degree not only would fulfill personal satisfaction, but also expectations held by my parents. Within my senior year of high school in South Carolina, I was greatly interested in becoming an aerospace engineer; a very admirable profession in the eyes of my parents. After carefully considering Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, I ultimately settled for Blacksburg to become a Hokie. Unfortunately, the college lifestyle was too overwhelming and I had to withdraw after my first year. This moment was very disappointing for myself and parents. However, I knew I couldn't give up the possibility of a college education, so I entered the workforce with the thought of going back to school when I was ready and prepared. Initially, the motivation was within myself, but later in life I learned that the significant people to build on that motivation was going to be my family and employer.

Throughout the time I was in middle school I lacked support from both my parents. I didn’t have anyone to push me to try and receive good grades and both my parents cared very little whether I passed my classes. Lacking parental guidance, I received poor and failing grades throughout all of middle school. I created a poor working habit and had the mindset that school was not for me. It wasn’t until the end of my 8th grade year that I realized that the grades I received could ultimately shape my future. By then I was far behind from other students who had received good grades all of middle school. At the start of high school I was placed into regular ed classes and put in elective classes just to fill up my schedule. These classes put me

After leaving the public school system at sixteen, I was left with very few options and yet still had a strong desire to continue with my education. After discussing my situation with

For once things were going okay , I honestly woke up one morning , after thinking hard about my life and what I want to make of it . At the rate I was going , There was no way I was going to graduate from high school . I started to feel guilty , that I'm given this opportunity to receive free education so that way I can grow up to be successful in every way , yet I chose to not accept it because I was not happy with how my worker treated me and how my life was going at all , and figured there was no way I was going to make it out of high school . After feeling that way , I thought to myself that I should try to get in contact with my guidance councilor just to see what I was going to be doing the following year . She told me I needed 12 more credits , In one school year I can make a minimum of 8 . Anxiety filled me with the thought of not walking down to get my diploma , and I knew I would drown in self loathe if I couldn't graduate with my class of 2017 . Having to pull some strings , my school councillor and I found the plan to help me accumulate all 12 high school credits , it was a miracle . So in order for me to achieve my goal , first I was required to earn 1 credit back at summer school , I have to earn 8 credits at Jonathan Law , complete an afternoon program at alternative education in which I can acquire 2 credits , and lastly I must be employed all school year , working a minimum of

As an official member of the student body at the University of California at Irvine, pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences, I had a newfound sense of freedom, pride and accomplishment; I was first in my family to attend college. My parents shared my excitement, a bit too much at times, I remember. Nevertheless, I was happy that they were proud. Classes started. I did fairly well in high school. Getting good grades without, putting much effort. I could have done better. Applying the same principles of studying I was accustomed to in high school, I thought I had the right formula to achieve the grades. Enveloped in a cloud of euphoric intoxication from an overdose of independence, I thought I knew it all at eighteen. A big brick of reality suddenly hit me on the head when I first saw my failing grades. I was consumed with anger, but with no one else to blame. I was defeated and fell into a deep state of depression and desperation. I gave up too quickly and spent the remaining days of my proudest moment in life just going through the motions; going to classes, hanging out with friends, taking exams and getting the worst grades imaginable. I was hanging on to whatever was left with my newly found independence. I will not be able to return to school the following year. I saw the look on my parents’ eyes as they picked me up from the university: disappointment; I was no longer the son they thought they knew. I went back home feeling lost

A personal experience that I have dealt with this past year is the reason I am continuing high school here, at Fresh Start. I struggled to pass the FCAT which was a requirement to graduate, I tried taking the ACT but did not get much luck from that. I stayed after school for tutoring whenever I was available due to work. I even made my way to tutoring bright and early some Saturday mornings because of the dedication I had to pass that test in order to make my family and myself proud. However, that was not the solution that worked for me.

The beginning of my school career, ever since I could remember; I always fell behind all the other students. Even though, I was academically challenged with every subject, but not once did I ever give up. Since my mind was driven on not giving up; I was driven to achieve a self goal to attend school every single day. In my ninth grade year was what finally done me in because I failed my English class. I’d almost flunked out and my parents had insisted that I should just get my GED. Yet, thanks to me for already working on a history class online’ I had the chance to catch up and complete my high school career online. We found out that I did better with an online class then in a school setting with all the judging eyes around. Therefore, I was pulled out of public school to further my education though Brevard Florida Virtual School. Now, instead of just making through by the skin of my teeth; I’m pulling though with the best grades I’ve ever gotten.

For most of my young academic career, failure had never been a real problem. I had never really struggled in any particular subject and I was able to succeed with little effort on my part. This all changed my sophomore year of high school. This was the first year I would be allowed to take all of the Advanced Placement and Honor classes that I wanted. Forgetting how rigorous the institution I attended actually was, I loaded my schedule. I honestly thought I would be able to breeze through the year with little struggle. Sadly, I was hopelessly disillusioned. My usual thirty minutes of homework a night turned into hours of tedious studying and preparation for the next day. My usual free time had vanished, and I was up long nights writing essays and studying for tests and quizzes. Even though I was nowhere near used to the workload, I persevered thinking my hard work would pay off when I received my “A”. However, I was wrong again, my hard work only went far enough to earn me a “C+” in my first AP course. I was devastated.

By November, it was clear that my secondary education was nearly completed. I had gained immense knowledge, both technical and practical, and was on track to complete almost of all my graduation requirements at the end of the year. So I helped myself. I went to my guidance counselor and asked for special permission to take 2 extra courses during my elective to fulfill my remaining graduation requirements. I appealed to the school district to be allowed to graduate in 6 semesters rather than the district-required-minimum of seven. In may of this year, I will graduate from Ridgeland high school at 15. I've learned a lot during my education, but most importantly, I've learned that nobody will help you if you do not first help