My Life In College

Do you believe that college is for everyone? The article “Is College for Everyone” was written by Pharinet. It is located on the website AssociatedContent.com. Pharinet states her opinion that college is not for everyone. She explains the challenges of receiving a higher education. Now days individuals are expected to receive an education beyond high school. People believe you have to attend college to earn a degree for a brighter and successful future. Pharinet suggest, “Higher education is not the key to happiness and success for everyone.” Reasons for attending college differ depending on the person. Some people find college to be a little out of their price

When most people think of college, some of the first words that come to mind are majors, boards, and diploma. The problem with this is that all of those words are associated with academics. Although academics are a big reason as to why you go to college, college is so much more than that. Many different student clubs and organizations are available to apply yourself to. Being involved in more than your classes can better your college experience by widening your opportunities, creating friendships, and making connections. Being a part of a community is very rewarding and being involved on campus is an experience that will stick with you for a lifetime.

I never in a million years imagined that I would be a sophomore in college at Forest Park at seventeen. I imagined myself at McKinley surrounded by a bunch of seniors trying not to catch the dreaded senioritis. College wasn't on my mind when I was handed a letter containing the greatest opportunity that I've had and possibly the greatest I will ever have. I was chosen to be a guinea pig for a new upcoming program that would allow juniors in high school to take community college classes on campus instead of attending their old high school. Participants were enrolled in both their old high school and at Forest Park but would only take classes on campus. They were allowed to have the freedom to do after school activities and sports at their high school. The program would allow participants to graduate in two years with a high school diploma and an associate's degree completely free with no strings attached.

I believe that the main struggle that I will face in college is becoming accustomed to a new way of life. Growing up in a small rural town in central New Jersey, I realized my area was not an accurate representation of the “real” world. Adapting to a new setting is a challenge that I am excited to take on and overcome. Additionally, the course load will vary from the one that I am used to. I was briefly exposed to this course load in a different environment during my summer exchange program at Oxford University, and I am excited to return to the rigorous courses. Most people would be nervous for the complete change to their life, but all I feel is the eagerness to begin my college experience and continue my growth and learning.

High School isn’t easy at all and you’re starting at a new school. For Me it was very hard. I barely knew anyone at the school, so my whole 9th grade year I was to myself. I was the very quiet girl that sat in the back and people probably thought I was weird. But, I didn’t Know anyone. Yes, My sister was a Senior and We had like one class together but, other than that I didn’t talk to anyone really. I tried my best to get to know different people and try to step out my box but it was sooo hard. I didn’t know anyone. There was a lot of mean people in High School, High school is very cruel and horrible and I hate high school. I knew before I started it was going to be very hard I thought it was going to be simple and fun. It wasn’t neither of those to be honest.

Years back when I first began college I spent about 2 years pointlessly wandering through classes I didn't want to attend to please my parents. To me at the time there was no purpose for college in my life, because I had no idea what I was doing. I only felt like I was running in circles and ruining my own reputation when it came to my teachers, grades, and GPA. I couldn't find a single reason why I needed to be in college, and I eventually decided to take a break from college to figure myself out. Now that I have had a break and took time to find out what I want to do and what I need to do, I can think of plenty of reason why I am in college. Although there is, in fact, many ways to get through life without college, I have began my journey in college once again because I want to become a elementary school teacher, educationally stimulate my brain, and to be able to afford a good life in the future.

I am a twenty one year old female. I come from an old school Mexican-American Catholic family. I grew up in a low socioeconomic community but we never struggled financially my father owns a construction company. I was privileged and fortunate enough to always have what I needed and wanted. I went to school in a Hispanic dominant district it was not very diverse the minorities in this district were actually the majority. Even the teachers were not so diverse we had a few here and there that were from different ethnicities but most teachers were alumni’s from this district. While I was in school I notice amongst my classmates how some of us were more privileged than others not just economically but academically as well. Academically I was always in GT, dual credit, or AP classes and I saw how we were given a better education. We were always challenged more, we even learned more things for example how to write an essay I had been writing essays since I was in elementary and some of my friends senior year that were just in regular classes were just about to learn how to write one. We were even pushed more to do apply for universities and colleges it felt like they had given up on the regular classes before they even had a chance to prove themselves. I never saw it as a privilege I was never grateful when I was in school I just thought that’s just the way things were I was not going through it and it was not affecting me. It wasn’t until the summer going into my senior

As a student, I can tell why some of the frustrations occur when the conscientious seldom does not pay off adequate. No wonder thirty percent of first-year college students drop out. Every second of college life feels intimated since the future of student mostly rely on how they manipulate the time. I wonder if I can keep myself into college, or will I be counted as one in those thirty percent of first-year college students. I don’t want to be that statistic; I won’t be. The present that I hold highlights my past, where life granted me one last chance to change my destiny.

During my first week as a freshman in college, I was still wondering if I had made the right choice for myself. Intrigued if the major I had chosen was right for me, I decided to attend a workshop strictly for product design students. I wanted to meet people in my major and also get a taste of what I had gotten myself into. On my way to the event, I ran into a girl with short curly hair that seemed lost and looking for a specific classroom. I asked her if she was a freshman and, relieved, she replied that she was, wondering if it was my first time in that maze of a building too. The URBN Center is the building where all the design classes are, and accordingly, it has an intricate system of half floors that is eye-pleasing yet confusing to get around.

I expect this year to be difficult. I come from a small town and UNCC is huge in comparison, and not just in terms of population. The space between my dorm in Witherspoon and the Student Union is about the length of my hometown’s main street. To say I am experiencing culture shock is an understatement. I want this year to be fun, be enjoyable, but I know it is going to be hard, especially during the first semester. There is a steep learning curve to even being here, not even considering classes, just being here, just getting here, it has been and will continue to be a challenge. I have never been away from home for more than two weeks at a time and this past Friday marked my first two weeks here. I have never felt more homesick. My family is trying to help, but I am a first-generation college student and we are all in the dark as to how I am supposed to scale this mountain. I am only here because of the generosity of others and hours of hard work. I spent middle school and high school with my nose pressed into books, understanding that I would never be talented enough for an athletic scholarship. In my spare time I worked, worked because my family did not have enough money to send me anywhere. I earned scholarships and I got here and I knew that college was going to be hard academically, and that I would have to work, but even before the real work has begun I have been slapped in the face by something much worse, loneliness.

Now to recount my college chapter I would have to say that it didn’t end so successfully. I began as a freshman at the University of Washington-Bothell (UWB) campus. There I followed the general path all freshmen went through; completing their prerequisites and adjusting to college life. I was like many students, still unsure of what I wanted to pursue in college but a key factor of college is exploration. However, as the year went by I slowly started to notice that the vision I had of attending this college was not what I expected. I felt that the courses laid out to freshman weren’t beneficial as they combined the essential disciplines of say math, history, English, and science into one class they like to call ‘Discovery Core’. Of course, you are selected to choose a pre-major of your choice where you would be taking the classes you’ll need to complete the set of requirements for that major. At the time I was thinking about going into the STEM field as it was something I enjoyed doing during high school. I took the beginning series of Computer Science and going into the class it wasn’t a problem it was the end of the quarter that caught me off guard; the finals.

People say once you graduate college to prepare yourself for the real world ahead of you. Going to college was the real world I was eager to experience after high school. The ability to be more independent and give the courage I already have to others surrounded around me. Attending Montclair State University has helped me recognize both my strengths and weaknesses throughout my college experience. Without those setbacks, I wouldn’t have been able to learn different approaches in order to be successful. These top ten lessons focused on preparation skills, communication, and passion.

My first semester of college taught me the importance of balance. When I got to college, I thought life would be easy, especially when I learned that all classes were not mandatory. After the first day of classes, I had made the resolution to be relentless about my schoolwork and remain focused. However, I did not realize how many diversions there were in college. Every other weekend there was a party or even going on. At first, I remained diligent about my school work. I stayed in my room and did all of my readings and homework early so that I did not forget to do it. After a while, however, I began to envy my friends who had stories about how much fun they had at the parties.

I am not your typical college applicant. I was born in Myanmar (Burmar). I came to the United States when I was only 13 years old. I was clueless when I had arrived in America. I didn’t fully understand America’s education process. It was a complete drastic change from where I had came from. I was placed in a sixth grade class, but I was supposed to enter the eighth grade. It was something I had to get used to, because I didn’t speak english and everything was completely new. It was scary because I didn’t know anybody except my family.

Life as a young 19 year old college student may consist of many hours knowingly or unknowing on social networks. Social networks are a network of social interactions and personal relationships. They are a way for many individuals to stay connect to their friends and a way for people to entertain their self. Just recently I began to notice how much social media actually runs my life... It’s crazy how in the morning when I wake up and roll over and the first thing I reach for is my cell phone. After swiping to unlock my iPhone 5 and checking to see if I have any messages I click the light blue birdy app called twitter and then tell the twitter world good morning before I even put my feet on the ground. That’s not really a big deal but that goes and shows how a much of a habit social media can become. Throughout the entire day I do notice I am on and off social networks even scrolling threw my favorite app instagram during my class lectures. That was a problem for me…I decided I needed a change. Social media has become a distraction in my life and to me while trying focus. I became aware of the distractions social networks caused when I was trying to focus on my schoolwork. I decided to dedicate myself towards not using any social media apps for 1 month and I learned that life without social media has many beneficial consequences leading you towards a more focused and nature fulfilled life. I also learned how to manage my time while on social networks.