Personal Narrative: My Transition From Community College To College

Returning to college, after graduating high school twenty-five years earlier, proved to be not only rewarding quite challenging as well. Viewing myself as a self-starter with extensive investigative skills I truly believed college path mapped out correctly, so I never met with an advisor, what a colossal mistake! I had self-scheduled all my courses and although I faced a few obstacles I was finally at the end. After completion of all my pre-requisites I applied to the LPN-RN Fast Track Program, little did I know my past would stop me dead in my tracks.

I started to work as a waitress at very young age. I stopped receiving education because my grades at school were not good and studying seemed to be boring. Working in my twenties appeared to be more adventurous and full of promises. As the time passed by, my routine at work turned out to be a nuisance. I was feeling empty inside without knowing the reason. As my level of expertise in the catering business was growing, the idea of starting up a restaurant on my own was beginning to take shape. I believed to know how to handle a business but I was missing all the technicalities. Getting back to school was a good alternative though I did not feel ready.

Looking back at my life to where I am now. I can honestly admit if I did not come to Community College my life would have been different. Here at community college I have made the most out of my experience I not only saved a significant amount of money but, furthermore I have grown not only with myself but with my grades as well. I struggled with a numerous of things in high school. However here at college I actually took the time to listen and observe. I have made friends and individuals that I can honestly call my family. I have taken the initiative to progress in my chosen fields.

Throughout High School I thought I was proficient in reading and writing in my English classes, from freshman year to senior year English classes were easy and felt I could transition my confidence to community college after graduation until I took the English assessment exam and failed in the spring of 2012. Failing my entrance exam was devastating and I refused to accept my results, I waited two academic year before I can appeal to retest my English entrance exam and after weeks of waiting I was approved to retest. After I retest the results were the same, I was placed in remedial English not only was I devastated again but I personally felt worthless. I did not know what was wrong with my reading and writing but I had no choice to enroll

Earvin “Magic” Johnson once said, “all kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them”. In the swirling tornado of education costs that comes with pursuing a life long career, help can be found with the assistance of a scholarship. The Preston J Dunn Scholarship would be the “little help” in both my life and academic career. This financial support will allow me to pursue my degree in psychology, which requires additional education beyond the typical four years of undergraduate schooling. Without the scholarship, the continued education required to obtain my career in psychological counseling may not be obtainable.

Last week at East, we had students going to the community college two days in a row and a school sponsored blood drive. The county office and community college scheduled the college days for our CTE students and seniors. It was hectic to say the least and the teachers had to be flexible. Some of the drove buses, others covered classes to give our students the opportunity to visit with college representatives and local business owners. By the end of the week, I could sense there was an undercurrent of stress. The feel or pulse of the school was off and by Friday, we had several teachers absent. To show appreciation, and to help combat high staff absents on Fridays I asked for money to buy the staff ice cream and to begin Fun Friday.

Entering community college with little programming experience, I was eager to learn. I registered for my first programming class excited, with a fresh mind. My professor introduced the class to our first program, "Hello World." Instantly, I was hooked. As I uncovered the complexities of problem-solving and the importance of proper syntax, my love grew stronger. Eventually, with experience in C++ and JAVA, another professor presented a life changing opportunity to me.

In 2014 when I decided to go back to my local community college I was told that I would have to retake my math class. My goal was to pass this class and to be able to move forward in my studies. This is something that was very hard for me to complete when it was placed in front of me because it was by far my weakest subject in high school without a doubt and that was back in 2008 when it was somewhat fresh on my mind. This was now six years later and to be honest I really had no idea how I was going to complete this class. Which made me feel very defeated I felt as if there was no one for me to move forward because of the roadblock.

Returning to college has been a prodigious challenge. One in which I determined I would meet head on with resolution. As a fine arts student I was fortunate to find a mentor in the Paradise Valley Community College Theater Director, Andrea Robertson. Andrea perceived potential in me and encouraged pursuit my goals as a writer/director. I took the initiative to approach Andrea with the idea to write and direct my own play in the Advanced Directing course. This past fall that idea came into fruition. As a director I oversaw numerous different areas in the production of my play. These were roles filled by fellow students, allowing the opportunity to provide guidance and leadership to peers. I worked with actors, stage management, set design, prop

My community college experience has been rigorous but highly rewarding. As an international student, it was like stepping from a hill to a mountain looking out at the horizon. The sheer breadth and depth of the world are mesmerizing. I have entered into a leadership role like Phi Theta Kappa and Student Government Association (SGA), that has helped me grow as a person.

It’s never too late. These are words I whole heartedly believe. A year and a half ago I decided to go back school to study nursing. Coincidentally, a week after I enrolled in classes I found out I was ten weeks pregnant. As any woman would I had my doubts about whether I could handle going to school and now being pregnant. But then I thought, I now had even more of a reason to go back. I would soon have a child who would be looking up to me. I wanted to be able to set a good example for them. I started attending classes in the fall as a part time student. Considering I had not been in school for over ten years the transition was a lot easier than I had thought it would be. My teachers were nice as well as my classmates. I finished a semester

This community college is where I began my educational expedition. It provided the fundamentals and course work I needed to grasp the concept of education. The school program much more than on campus and off campus enrichments, they offered my first online courses that open my mind to new possibilities to learn. The elated and engaged program brought to light a magnificent way of learning. It was astonishing to be able to take classes at home in addition to school. Furthermore, the completion of the program successfully aided as I continued to a university with the skills and knowledge to be successful through hard work and determination.

When I was a junior in high school I wanted to go to a four year college, however I changed my mind and I decided to go to a community college because of reasons. The first was when I came from Ethiopia I felt like I got a second chance on my life. I wasn’t a bad student back there but I wasn’t a very successful student either. I was always in the middle. Because I got second chance I wanted to use it very well. I want to do big things in my life.

Going to a private school with my brother, I wasn't prepared for the financial difficulties that would arise for my family and I. After getting accustomed to the my classes, professors, and curriculum my freshman year; I fell in love with Baylor. I didn't think my family would struggle to make ends meet. By my sophomore year, my parents got into an accident and hospital expenses would force both my brother and I to a community college. Due to the uniqueness of my major in Texas and my goal to graduate in four years, I was determined to finish at Baylor. I began working as much as I could to help relief some of the finances off of my parents. My summers went to balancing classes and working full-time to raise money for the upcoming school year.

Growing up for me was rough, I grew up in Brooklyn, New York where nobody expected much from the youth. I had to be different, my only escape was school. School was the only thing that kept a smile on my face. School was my gateway to happiness. I made the choice to go to college because I wanted to learn more. I wanted to further my education so I can better myself and enlighten my community. I knew college would be expensive, but the cost did not deter me. When there is a will there is a way. The only person that helped me finance my college career was my mother. No one else tried to help me. She was the only person I had that supported me 100%. The only thing that my mother wanted me to do was promise her was that I graduate from college. School was a big thing to my mother. When it came to school she did not play. She always believed in hard work, me wanting to further my education made her proud.