Personal Narrative: After College

After a pause of almost 25 years, I am returning to the college classroom and to say that there are mixed emotions would be an understatement. Sure, I’m excited to start but also a bit fearful if I’m being honest. I’ve worked for large and international companies during this time but getting back to college has always been a goal of mine. No time like the present I guess!

The infamous answer to the question, “What is your primary goal for going to school?” is “to further my education, get a job, and be successful” such a cliché if I must say myself. My goal attending school is to make my family happy, as well as myself. In high school, I did not apply myself like I should have done because I was not sure if college was in my favor. Also, being the child of a single parent wanting to attend college seemed impossible, especially far from home. In a family where no one has surpassed the first two years of college, I feel a spotlight is on me to not only finish, but also finish strong. I know how proud my family will be of my accomplishment and how rewarding it will be for me trying to obtain a decent job in the

Freshman year of college. It was the year that held my emotions in a turbulent roller coaster ride; on this ride however, there were no seatbelts. Growing up, life was a constant smooth run and I rarely ever had to deal with unbearable situations. I enjoyed writing and teaching. Naturally, I was working towards becoming a high school English teacher, just like Ms. Mirmozaffari, my favorite person throughout my high school career. I was accepted and chose to go to the University of Maryland, College Park as an English Literature and Secondary Education major, partially affected by the fact that it was Ms. M’s undergraduate school. Life seemed predictable and it allowed me to feel in peace knowing what my life was headed to. My plan seemed flawless and until this time, life was literally a sailing ship on a calm sea. However, such effortless life style came to an end unannounced and the next few years was the most strenuous time of my life, yet the most precious and the valuable experience of my life.

With senior year of high school coming to a close, comes an overwhelming amount of stress about moving away to college. At the beginning of this school year, I was eager to leave and excited to go away, but I came to a realization that leaving home alarms me. At this point in time, I began to notice just how much my parents do for me and just ruminating about everything I would have to do on my own now, makes me nervous. School has never been an issue for me but what my friends say about college, makes it even more petrified to go. Being constantly asked questions like, “how do you always get your work done?” or “how do you have such good time management?” reassures me that I will do fine in college. With neither of my parents having attended

My career goals in life is either to play professional football (NFL), become a physical therapist, be a high school football coach, or take over my father’s business. Ever since I was a young child I loved watching football and playing it too it would mean the world to me if I went to play in the national football league (NFL). I love to run and try to stay fit my health is very important to me I like to discipline myself in everything I do athletically and also academically. I take pride in everything I do. I always enjoy overcoming a challenge that has stretched me to my limits. And if I could make it in to the national football league (NFL) I will have beaten one of my most difficult challenges. Being a physical therapist (PT) would also be very cool because I have always amazed by the body and how it works and I also like

Returning to college has been an exciting and terrifying decision for me. My husband has

As a first generation college student, I have the desire to not only make my parents proud of my academic achievements, but to be the first person in my family to receive a college degree. At a very young age, I was always expected to receive A’s and B’s in my school assignments, as well as my final grades. However, I was never rewarded or congratulated whenever I did receive those grades because it was already expected of me to achieve them. Hence, a time in which I have experienced failure but also felt like I let my family down was when I received a D in my Critical Thinking course I was already retaking for the second time.

It was the middle of January, dead of winter of my eighth grade year. Coach Brooklyn Howell, the Lady Cougars basketball coach came up to me and said “come tonight, 5:30 at Byrnes Freshman Academy to try out and see if you like lacrosse.” I did not really know if I wanted to play in the cold, because I was so used to playing in a warm gym during the cold winter months. Lacrosse really did not seem like a sport that I wanted to play. But I tried it out anyway.

Participating in high school soccer has taught me many life lessons, of which “determination” was the most important. At Fleetwood High School, soccer is a highly respected sport. As a freshman, I competed against many talented upper classmen for a spot on the team. Being one of the youngest players trying out was intimidating, but it forced me to establish a goal for myself. I was determined to, not only make the team, but to make the varsity team. I made the team; however, only made the JV team. Not playing on the varsity team was disappointing and there were times I felt like giving up, but my determination kicked in and I came to realize that, if I continued to work hard and increased my training, my goal was obtainable. Unfortunately,

The two traits that have consistently separated me from most people my age is my work ethic and my focus. My work ethic mainly shows up in sports, and business as those were more of a focus for me than school. Growing up I had a love for basketball, I was not the tallest, strongest, or most athletic kid on the court ever. But I had more heart, and desire than anyone on that court. It showed in my high school career. I have played varsity since my freshman year, and started since my sophomore year. I have won the best defensive player award two times proving my work ethic. Along with winning best defensive player two times at a highly competitive basketball camp hosted at a local college. This year I was also named Team Captain. Along with basketball I

My most significant endeavor since attending community college would be helping my community to receive an Adult Daycare. Thought this endeavorer I have applied my knowledge that I have learned about the disease to educate others in my community who may not have to know the impact of it. I have also used and sought the aid of my relationship that I have built by being at my community college. This Adult Daycare service or Coltrane LIFE center is something that I am passionate about having in my hometown. My grandpa has Alzheimer's and I have seen the stress that tolls on the family and caregiver. To have an Adult Daycare in my area would ensure a safe and calming environment for elderly patients. Also, provide help and relaxing time for the

Six years of pee wee, four years of travel, roughly 10,000 dollars of my parents hard earned money spent in payments, numerous nights of practice, countless days consumed by games and I did not make the team. An entire summer of early mornings dedicated to workouts, and I did not make the team. My freshman year I tried out for the Brentwood High School soccer team and didn’t make the cut. I will never forgot waiting anxiously for that email, opening it and not seeing my name on that roster. I was devastated, embarrassed and simply sad. I had failed.

In 2012, Nike released a product and with it, the following advertising slogan was unveiled, “Life is a sport, make it count!” While the product in large part fizzled, the catchphrase continues to inspire athletes of all ages to stay busy with physical activity. For many senior athletes, this motto serves as a central theme in the decision process to pursue a sport at the college level. Although there are many critical crossroads that occur during the senior year of high school, none is more challenging than the resolution to invest the significant amount of time that is required of a college athlete. While there are numerous ways that a student can make “their sport count,” most credit the decision to the financial benefit package, prestige

is... Buzz!!! there went the buzzer for our hockey game, us the stingers had lost against the blue jays and this is the 4th time we had lost and we got made fun of at school. I am so sick and tired of losing and getting made fun of all the time and kids calling me a loser. Even though I make all of the shots for the team and everyone else is trying not to fall and try to be show offs, THIS IS NOT A DANCE PARTY PEOPLE.How am I supposed to win this next game if all of the players are acting like ballerianas?I think we will win.That is all I remember.

I am a huge fan of sports and always aspired to one day to play in the NHL, yet my childhood dream was crushed after facing the harsh reality of the real road to a career in sports.