How it All Began

I was suppose to start college in high school. My county like many others had agreements with nearby public and community colleges that allowed students with high gpa’s to attend for free. Many around me tried to talk me into this option but being stupid and young I did not want to go that route because I wanted the typical four year college experience.

Senior year came around and I thought for sure I was going to get into the school of my choice and did not apply to any others. When the letter came in from my main choice it said I had been deferred. I asked the college counselor what to do. She said there was a school in Jacksonville that was guaranteed admissions. I asked her doesn’t being deferred mean I still have a shot to get in and I told her that the school in Jacksonville did not offer my major. She said I had no shot of getting in and not to worry about a major. Again, I was young and stupid so I listened to her and there began my 3 year hell.

After High School

Summer 05 after high school I went to the school in Jacksonville the counselor told me to go to. I was put on academic probation and was told if I got below a C in any course I would be kicked out. I lasted 6 weeks and ended up getting kicked out for failing a jazz course. I myself was happy that I could go home because college was nothing like I thought. Instead of the parties and the fun. I sat in my cramped dorm room alone being constantly harassed by roommates. There was no where to go and nothing to do since the school was in middle of no where. 6 weeks was a life time and I ended up seriously depressed. At the same time I was ashamed because I had disappointed my parents.

Fall 05 I ended up at a community college. I felt embarrassed because I had always made fun of those who attended community colleges. I still longed for that college experience and wanted out.

Spring 06 I attended the near by public university. That’s when I realized that there was no true college experience and going to a four year school didn’t always mean a better education. On top of the tuition I paid an extra $300 to take a course online. I sat on the floor in most classes because there were not enough seats. I never had any real interaction with any of the professors because the courses were taught by graduate students. My community college courses were much more engaging then the public university courses.

Fall 06 I packed my stuff and headed to a new city to find work and a new life. I ended up taking the semester off to work full-time at Wal-mart. Needless to say it was hell and I realized how important it was to go back to school.

Spring 07 I headed back to the near by community college. Much wiser now I knew that I preferred smaller classes and interaction with students and faculty so the nearby university would not have been a good fit. Loved my teachers there they were all very insightful one teacher even wrote me a letter of recommendation and I ended up being accepted to a study abroad program.

Fall 08 while still finishing up my Associates degree I took some courses at a nearby private school that had the program I wanted and was not as intensive as the school I wanted to attend when I was in high school.