I don’t know what I was thinking. All my life I have had people telling me to stay in school and study hard. I had been a straight A student without trying, so it seemed like when it came to college I would have no problem with my school work. My whole perspective was wrong.

            My freshman year started out fine; all my papers and assignments were turned in on time, and usually completed. I felt like the work was so easy so I didn’t feel the need to do it. I had figured that I would be able to make up my grades on the tests. After I neglected my school work my grades began slipping. Before I knew it, I received a letter from admissions saying “Dear Candace due to your poor performance this semester, we will not allow you to continue here”.  I was devastated because I knew I could do better and before college I had been so proud of my scholarship. I hadn’t appreciated what I had and was so angry at myself. I knew no one felt sorry for me and I’m glad they didn’t. It was my fault I failed out of school and I had to live with the consequences. 

            I was very lucky because, even though my parents were disappointed, they still stood by me. My family is a big family. I have three sisters and one brother, but I am the youngest. My siblings and I have always been close. All of my siblings had excelled in school and I was the only one to drop out. I had always been very family oriented, so having their support and love helped me to get through the rest of the year.

            Before the next school year, I had applied to return to school. I had been accepted, but was not going to receive any grants or scholarships. I didn’t know how I would afford school, and I knew my parents wouldn’t be able to help. I decided to put off school another year. “If only I had focused my freshman year” played over and over again in my head. Secretly I loved learning, I took it for granted. 

            I needed to find a job and save money to return to school. I didn’t know what kind of job I wanted to do. I tried out a few things like fast food and retail, but nothing worked for me. I had always liked music and the way it could express emotions so beautifully. Out of the blue, one of my friends told me about an opening for a DJ at a local club. I decided to apply and got the job. That experience opened my eyes to how much I really loved music and I decided to follow a different path for my life.

            I went back to school, once I saved enough money, and decided to change my major. I went for music therapy because I figured incorporating my passion into my education wouldn’t allow me to make the same mistake again.