My Educational History Is Not An Accurate Reflection Of The Student That I Am Today Essay

Growing up, school was not a major factor in my life. I come from a hard-working, middle-class military family. My mother, a Filipino immigrant, was a homemaker. My father was a 21-year United States Marine veteran. They were my first impression of what I thought my future would be. Being the youngest of four children, I was expected to fall in line behind my siblings when it came to education. I was never pushed to excel in my studies, so I did just enough to get by. As I watched friends escape the grasp of a military town and ascend to their respective colleges, I was left wondering what was next for me. I attended my local community college for a brief period of time. I treated college no different than high school. I

In August of 2012, at Grand Rapids Community College, I was placed on Academic Probation due to my cumulative GPA dropping below the 2.0 threshold. Prior to this action, I was not driven to take the action to perform well in my classes. I was lost in the options for my future and unaware of where I would end up. It was this lack of focus and drive that reflected in my performance. This was a strong turning point in my life, and after being placed on academic probation I came to appreciate the repercussions I was facing by not prioritizing my education. It was in this year that I decided on where I wanted my college career to take me. Through the influential factors I discussed in my personal statement, I had both my mind and my future set on

Now, I’ve never been a terribly awful student. I was the kid that made honor roll every term, passed my tests, and was very well liked by my teachers. My problem was rooted within my attendance. I tried numerous options that varied from being enrolled in online school that gave me the option to work at my own pace, to applying for a program called Job Corps, where I would live on campus and be on a boot camp like schedule. Nothing worked, school just wasn’t for me. When I turned 16, I made the decision to not only drop my online classes, but also made the decision to stop calling my counselor for Job Corps. I was never encouraged to return to school until I moved to Wisconsin a year and a half after being out of school. You don’t realize how important that year and a half is until you return to public school as a junior with three and a half credits. My attendance when I moved here was much better with the encouragement from Niki and Dave Pohnl. They gave me the motivation to actually want to finish my schooling and for that, I am eternally grateful. I attended Logan high school for the last half of my junior year where I finished with seven and a half credits. Obviously, still not even close to what you need to graduate. So, they gave me the option to come to Western Technical College to attend a program that would lead to me taking four separate

Sophomore year I was told to go to a community college for a two-year degree. By my application to Ohio University, I picked the road that everyone thought I was not capable of. Although my transcripts are not perfect, especially my GPA and ACT score the reasons are complicated. The Tuesday of my ACT week I got into a survive car accident which left me with a brain swelling concussion. I had never taken the ACT and did not want to have October be my one and only time. Therefore I took the test anyway, which led to a horrible scoring rate. Although it was not my best overall I think that for having a concussion my writing was well done. Unfortunately my car accident injuries lasted for five months, leaving me busy and injured. I again took the

Returning from a life in the military to life as a civilian trying to complete college is vastly different and can be challenging transition for many.

The idea of returning to school has always been on my mind since I graduated from PIMA. PIMA helped me realize I can pursue a degree instead of always a certificate. Since I was a little girl, I have struggled with some speech problems and mild case of a learning disability. I was placed in special education for a very long time. I got out of that when I was in my junior year of high school because I believed I was capable of doing things on my own. I know I am a good student. I know I am a hard worker. I have always had a pretty good GPA. Some words that I found hurtful in high school were from some of the paraprofessionals that worked with me throughout those years. I was told that I would never go to a regular four year college because of my struggles. I have kept those lies for so many years inside of my heart and soul. I am ready to prove them wrong and better myself by challenging myself to do it. I have achieved so many things since high school. Academic testing hasn’t always been easy for me but somehow I have moved forward and achieved. When I have taken assessment placement tests at PPCC I have felt discouraged with my

I decided in 2008 I wanted to go back to school because of a traumatic EMS call that made me realize I could not rely on being a paramedic for the rest of my life. I set out to graduate in four years. December of 2012 was when I wanted to graduate. And I was on the right track. However, along with my life changes this goal had to be altered. With a failed marriage and losing weight I looked into joining the Air Force. I also started talking with a Department of Public Safety recruiter. I wanted out of EMS so back I was willing to settle for less than my dream of becoming a Game Warden. I was accepted to both departments. After talking to by DPS recruiter I decided this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. So in 2012 instead of graduating college I joined the Air Force. In joining the Air Force it did delay my graduation; however I am better qualified for my future. When I began my college career the military was not an option. The information was always there but the ability to join was not mainly due to me being too large. Although I am four years late in graduating from my original goal, I would not change a thing about the choices I have

In 2004, the Marine Corp changed my life when my mother married my step-Father and we were stationed to Beaufort, South Carolina. At this time in my life, this was the biggest change that I had ever had to encounter. However, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me as well. My step-Father became the Dad that he didn’t have to be and he ultimately created in me a drive to strive for more and accept nothing less than what I was capable of. Recently my family has had to face changes that made going to school seem more difficult than

After high school, I chose community college to work on basic courses while I decided on my future bachelor degree. At Tompkins Cortland Community College, I maintained a 3.37 GPA, qualified for the Dean’s List in two semesters, and graduated with honors. As a reflection of my abilities at the time, I would say that despite my achievements, my GPA was not as high as it could have been. None of the classes were overly challenging and I was dedicated to my studies, but my job took up valuable time. On average, I worked thirty-eight hours a week in order to support myself in college. I often felt crammed for time, and cut corners in order to get assignments in on time. For the quality of work I was able to put in, my GPA is accurate. However, given better means, I know that I could have graduated with a more appropriate GPA.

Upon entering Cal State LA, my goal was and still is to attain a business education focusing on accounting to aid in commencing a satisfying long career. To accomplish this goal, I have had to make disillusioning sacrifices that have left my family saddened, particularly my mother, as I am not present at events where she wishes to see all her children together. My partner has also had to endure similar absences, however she understands my reasoning and in contrast, is supportive and keeps me motivated, and for much more than just that, I am beholden to her. The desire for my family’s better future, the motive behind my actions, keeps me advancing. My strong work ethic can be seen in the grades I have earned at this university. I did not just want to complete my courses, I wanted to excel and in so proving to the self-doubt in me that I do have the intelligence and dedication to succeed. I transferred during the spring of 2015 with an overall grade point average of 2.33. By staying focused while working at McDonald’s and attending school full time, I have earned only A’s and now maintain a core grade average of 3.97, raising my overall cumulative to 2.701. I am

What is education? According to Webster’s Dictionary education is defined as, (noun) 1: the action or process of being educating or of being educated, 2: the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools. What does education provide for us? How important is education in today’s society?

A college education is an essential step towards a successful military career. To some enlisted members, continuing or starting a college education may seem difficult to do. My decision to continue a college education was easy. Being stationed at an Air Base for a year has given me an opportunity to do so without being sidetracked by some of life’s daily responsibilities. Since it is an unaccompanied tour and I have no choice but to live in dorms, going to college is much easier then back in the states. Being stationed here has given me great opportunity to dedicate all my free time towards a college degree. After going to the Education Center I was very pleased. Right now the Air Force will pay one hundred percent of my college tuition

Public school systems need to be more sensitive to their students. Parents play the major role in determining a child’s academic outcome, but the school system needs to notice children who don’t necessarily acknowledge their gift. These children need guidance -- I believe it is the schools’ responsibility to provide it to them. I have been through a situation that makes me feel strongly about the subject. My example is an indisputable case in point.

Iconic baseball player, Babe Ruth, once said, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” After 16 years of being on a “break from school”, going back to college can bring up a variety of emotions, fear being one of them. The unknowingness of college and the expectations of my parents, struck me from all angles when applying to college back in 2000. This time around, the fear of failure is stronger, I have so much more to lose. I have a career in the administrative division within Local 3 for the last 10 years; a career that helps support my husband and 2 young children. However, the fear will keep me going forward, instead of striking out.

These past four years have really been a life changing experience. From a childish freshmen not only at school but at home too, to a still sometimes childish senior, one who knows when and how to control himself. This school and its teachers have taught me so many lessons that will not be forgotten any time soon.