My Educational Journey

Written on April 20, 2007 (via LiveJournal):

Honestly, I couldn’t have put any less effort into High School. I always hated school when I was younger and would rather hang out with my friends than do homework or study. I passed, but my GPA certainly suffered. My brother was always the good one at school who got great grades and stayed focused. However, when it came to college he realized it is a whole new ball game and ended up dropping out. I found this very discouraging and decided to go to Fresno City College right after H.S. instead of Fresno State.

At first, I claimed an Undeclared major because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. After a few months I declared Business Management. During my first semester, I found a job with a local General Contractor doing filing and answering phones. Eventually the money seemed more worthwhile than the education, so I dropped out of college for the first time after my first semester. Within 6 months at my job, I was doing the payroll, and within a year I was doing all of the Accounts Payable. I was very happy where I was at financially and made more money than my friends who were waitresses or equivalent.

Time passed and I started to think that maybe I should give school another go. I decided that I really liked doing Accounts Payable and that perhaps I should study Accounting. I took one accounting class and fell into my old habits of ditching and not caring. Once again, I dropped out. Actually, I was so lazy that I just "stopped going", earning an F in the class.

A few years later, I picked up the hobby of doing Web Design while simultaneously getting the “itch” to go back to school. I looked into what Fresno City had to offer and it turned out they offered an AS degree for a Webmaster. This excited me as I knew it’d be way easier to get an AS than a BS degree. I began school for the third time taking a Web Page Construction class, as well as a Java Programming class online. I passed Web Page Construction with flying colors, but ended up withdrawing from Java Programming because I seriously didn’t understand it. At this point, I decided my interest in Web Design was fading. I decided to keep up with my general education and see if I could decide on a different major, so I registered for some G.E. classes.

Then bad news hit. I got kicked out of college. Seriously. Fresno City kicked me out because I had withdrew from that Java Programming class. This, in addition to my low GPA from dropping out and taking F’s in the past, landed me on Academic Dismissal. How discouraging. I had to write a letter to the dean at Fresno City requesting to be readmitted, and had to sit out a semester.

During that semester, I decided what I want to do with my life: obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. I had been working in the industry since my first job, now working for an Architect. Since going back after that semester off, I have gone non-stop including summer semesters. In fact, I made myself physically ill from stress one summer because I took 9 units in 8 weeks. That just shows how bad I am striving for this.

Currently I am very proud of myself for accomplishing what I have accomplished this far. I am graduating with my AA degree in General Education next month. This is a very big deal to me because of my school history. Not to mention, I am the only one in my immediate family who will have a degree. I DID IT!

I will be sticking around at Fresno City for another year after I graduate to take classes towards my major, and in August of 2008, I will finally be a Bulldog!

Wow, what a journey, right? I did start Fresno State in August of 2008. During my time as a Bulldog, I have met many great friends, passed every single class (some barely, some easily), made precious memories, learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of, and solidified the fact that I can do anything I truly put my mind to. I have had a lot of help from friends, classmates, and Ben in so many different ways. I am indebted to everyone who has helped me along the way.

At this point in my life, looking back, I would tell everyone to go to College straight out of High School. I sure wish I had. However, it wasn't right for me then. As an adult, I took my education much more serious than I had right out of High School. And to anyone who is thinking about going back, no matter where you are in life, I say DO IT! It's never too late. And while you're probably thinking, "how can I do it when I have a job, spouse, kids, blah blah blah", don't make excuses. If you want it, you can do it. Never forget that.

Today was my very last day of instruction. Next week I take my finals. Friday, the 18th I walk. After that, the world is my oyster.