IU Personal Goals

Education is very important to my parents and it is not just a means of obtaining a good job in the future, but it serves as a way to get respect and social standing in a world that is so heavily focused on societal and class statuses. Being the first generation to have gone onto higher education, the pressures, put on by my family, can sometimes be overwhelming. In fact, at times I think my parents are more excited and ready for me to graduate than I am, which can be quite comical.

After high school, many students make the decision on attending college based off of the things their parents/ teachers may have taught them when they were young. For example, many students further their education because throughout their lifetime they’re told they have to. In school we’re taught that in order for us to receive good jobs, and make a decent amount of money we have to have a college degree. Some are even taught that they must go beyond the undergrad and receive their masters, and doctorate degrees if they really want to be known as something in this world. While others go because it would make their parents proud, or to fulfill the legacy of being a first generation college student in their families. While this may be the case majority of the time, if you’re like me you go because

My granny was the only person in my family to have a college degree. I am the second because of her. From middle school on we talked about college, where I would go, and what I would do when I grew up. Parents encourage careers that lead to the greatest profit, mine were no different. My granny never encouraged me to choose a career based on the profit. She only encouraged me to choose what made me happy. Life had it’s own plan and some things changed how my educational journey would pan out, but that didn’t make it impossible. Because of her I knew anything was

My Dad didn't go to college. He worked long hard hours at southwire and traveling. As I was growing up he told me to keep working harder, and not to give up in life and just work for things. He wants me to go to college or the Air Force that way. I have a better job and I don't want to start my life off struggling. Instead of struggling he wants me doing good. College is not worth the cost, because some people can not afford it. With college being expensive a lot of college kids having to work and study and go to class some kids just can't handle it.

Teens are constantly told by their parents that college is “ABSOLUTELY” necessary to be successful in this world. Fun fact: It’s not. College isn’t necessary because it isn’t required to be successful, and as many students have the mindset that college is the road to success, education has changed over time and it’s not as helpful as it used to be. Many schools build their students up to be a great student for a great college. But, when they go to the college to follow the dream that someone has set in their mind, they drop out and look at themselves as failures. All for what? For the approval of those who’ve pushed them to work for a dream that is not their own.

Embedded in my psyche as a child was the fact that college was my only option after high school. This parental sentiment was synonymous with a phrase as simple as “tie your shoes.” For me, high school graduation would be a standard occurrence, but my college graduation would be celebrated. The college I would attend required thoughtful consideration because it will be my rite of passage. When I dreamt of my intended college, I knew it would be set in a beautiful city, bustling with energy, and full of consciously creative people. I didn’t know if my university campus would be urban or suburban, but I knew it would spark excitement, fulfill my need to connect with a global community, and offer several opportunities to propel me to the top of

My mother and my aunts made sure that I graduated high school, completed college in four years, and finished graduate school. My mother believes that getting an education is the most important requirement to being successful. Some people, looking in from the outside, may feel that my family pushes me to hard; and when I was younger I thought the same thing. However, now that I am older I appreciate the push and constant motivation. If it was not for my family, I would not be where I am today. I have always wanted to follow in my aunts footsteps and become the second doctor in the family. Between her and my mother, they have support me financially and provided me with other necessities to continue to move forward. I have set my focus on many short term goals in order to reach my long term goals. There are days that I want to give up, but I know the hard work will pay off

There is also the aspect that I want to go to college because it is what is expected of me. Only my mom really completed college and got a degree. On my dad’s side completing college isn’t really a big thing. Despite that, everyone from both sides of the family expects me to complete college and I want too, for them and for me. In fact, I want to do more than just complete college, I want to go on to get my masters and my doctorates to prove to myself that I can. I want to live above and beyond the expectations set before me and college is what gives me that

“Why are you even bothering to go to college? Seriously.” “There’s a party tonight. You have to be there.” One of the obstacles to academic achievement that I face on a regular basis is a lack of support in some areas of my life. Actually, sometimes it isn’t a lack of support that is the problem, but more a pervasive attitude that education isn’t that important or is a waste of time. My coworkers are happy working in retail forever, and good for them, yet seem resentful that I have made my education a priority. At times they seem bound and determined to lure me off track with invitations to parties during exam week or offers of promotions if I cut my course load. At school, many of the students in my community college courses don’t seem to

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.

As a first generation student, academic promise hasn’t always been a focus of mine until my high school years. Coming from a family where the only post-high school education is whatever training you receive at work, it is hard to relate when the possibility of university is so far away. Four years after high school, I have not only worked full time but also received my associates degree from my hometown community college. That is all great thanks to the family that have raised me, and taught me that hard work is the only work capable of doing. My parents never had the opportunity to attend college, so they taught me what they knew in life instead; where manners are always required, hard work is mandatory, and when finished with that work; you

As cliche as it may sound, college was never an option that I gave myself. Going to college was more of an obligation that I set for myself when I started enter the field of education as a student. In my household, the goal of getting into college was always around me. The daily discussion in my household when it comes to the discussion about school, always starts with, “When I get to college”. When I have discussions with adults and career counselors about my career choice, I always start off with, “When I finish college”. A college education is important in my family, and I have been taught the values of having a college degree can guarantee me a successful job in life. My mother continually pushed me towards the entrance of college,

Above all, I need to go to college to prove myself. My extended family is full of business people that live their lives going through the motions not really wanting to make a difference. I refuse to live my life in that manner. They assume I will trail in their footsteps and do something involved in business. When I express to them my aspirations, I always get the sarcastic “okay” or “good luck.” No one believes that I can be someone bigger and for that reason, I have to prove to them, I am more than the average person. I haven’t expressed myself enough and it’s time for me to grow out of my

Knowledge is a very powerful thing , many people underestimate the power of education . I have never been pushed to go to college by my parents not because they did not want me to but they wanted me to wilfully look for more. My parents are both from El Salvador, a country more recently known for the highest murder rate. My parents both have been the reason why I am as driven and humbled as I am. I Enrolled at Texas Womans University ,very honestly lost , the workload and freedom given to me was too much for me to handle. I became a mother at 17 and have been blessed since but with becoming a mother I also had more work cut out for me. So after having a full scholarship I did the irrevocable and quit school. Now given the timing and circumstances I think it was the best choice at the

I also know that anything I advance through is just a bump to prepare me for my career. It helps me to be more independent and I am definitely more set on achieving my career now considering what happened to me as a child. Furthermore, I believe my grandfather since he always told me that “you can do whatever you wanted to, as long as you put your mind to it.” I have pushed to earn my way into college and now I remain persistent to achieve a degree for myself, instead of trying to please everyone else. If I remain self-determined to do better, then I will be able to overcome anything and this I