September third, two thousand and three. Possibly one of the most dreaded days in my life, yet. For the past fourteen years of institutionalized learning, I have become accustomed to surrounding myself with those who were familiar to me as my friends, and also those who are like me. The idea of being in a new place with new people, none of which I knew, is what scared me half to death. This experience turned out to be the complete opposite of what I had envisioned during the weeks leading up to this anxiety-filled affair.
On the third, I arrived at Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ, approximately twenty minutes from my small home-town of North Arlington. To brief you, North Arlington is one square mile, and is almost entirely white. I've never had to worry about being to different from anybody else. It's not that I am scared of a diverse atmosphere, it's just that I am unaccustomed to it. After each summer break, I would return back to school, anticipating the familiar faces of those which I've grown up with over the years. Now, it would be unlike the past. Arriving at Bergen at about eight in the morning, I realized that I would know no one. Making my way to the building and room where my first class, sociology, was to be held, I walked and heard voices chattering, saw friends gathering in groups, and then there was me; by myself. I felt as though everyone else knew each other, and me; well I knew no one. I was an outsider.
Full of apprehension, I waited nervously to enter the room, accompanied by a few other students. Once we entered the class, I took the seat closest to the door. Subconsciously, I think it was to assure myself that I would have the opportunity to escape, if needed. I not-so-patiently waited for the class to fill and once it was almost time for class to begin, I recognized a girl that I had met at a social gathering of mutual friends, about a month prior.
A NEW BEGINNING So it was official. ... I walked down the halls of my new school. ... The thoughts of my new and questionable journey in life were quite stimulating. ... Looking at my new student ID card and my new class schedule helped me gain some much needed confidence. ... Starting college was a major turning point in my life and its one decision for which I will forever reap the rewards. ...
My First Day at College Since high school, I have been waiting to enter college. I always wanted to be a college student; a serious student who would decide what to be in his life. ... My first day signified the beginning of my career goals. As soon as I entered the college campus the high school atmosphere was over and a serious period of my life began. ... In conclusion, my first day at Pierce College was the beginning of a challenging period in my life. ...
This new social beginning along with the freedom college provides, allows for personal discovery. Making my own choices has forced me to grow as an individual. ... This is the only time in my life where I am assigned to a complete strangers, and told me make an eleven by eleven room our "home- for the next nine months. ... This system of living coupled with various opportunities for student involvement creates the life of the college campus. ... Now, here I am, a college student - living the "college life- and experiencing all it offers. ...
While I had been enjoying this new world, I really missed my home town and missed all my friends there. ... One fine day I came to a decision, that I should move back to the United States, and start my new life, where no one knows about my past, and nobody would be there to taunt me and make fun of me. ... It was hard in the beginning, but I tried to concentrate. ... Last year I joined Mission college, and now I'm doing good in my curriculum. I came up in my life from that small decision, and it changed my whole life. ...
College is not just a financial choice, it's the beginning of a lifelong journey, one that will shape and determine your future. ... I will also be able to make better decisions in my life. ... I have come to the realization, that college is very essential and beneficial in my life. ... In my opinion, getting a college education is essential for a good life, there's more options, more money, and more benefits. ... Clearly new data say" Rising Value of a College Degree. www.Nytimes.com/upshot/is-college-worth-it Articles. ...
As a freshmen just coming out of highschool, I am now beginning a new life in a whole new environment surounded by people I really do not know is a really scary feeling. ... I have been told all through highschool that college professors are totally differently from teachers in highschool. ... I graduated 13th out of 150 students and my grade point average was 3.6. And compaared to all the fears in the world you may have to face while going to school, I feel not being able to sucessfully pass all my classes and keep my grade point average up to where I want be able to keep my scholar...
Deciding on a college and a career has been a challenge for me because I want to become so many things in life, but I had to narrow down my options to only one college and career that I really want. Whichever college and career I choose, I know that I am going to be a successful person in life. ... I am really excited to start my new life and journey on my own. ... The day I came to UTA and started unpacking all my belongings in my dorm room was the day I knew my life was about o change. ... I started to hate college and life on campus because it was starting out really bad for my roommate and...
Four years ago I was just beginning my high school career. ... In the last four years my outlook on what I want to do with my life has changed greatly. ... On a more personal level, I want to pursue college-level study because it would open the door to many new experiences. ... The experiences and memories I would have at college would be some of the most memorable moments in my life. ... That is the single most important reason for pursuing a college-level study, to prepare myself for the rest of my life. ...
The transition from high school to college was bigger then I could have ever imagined. ... The summer between high school and college, I lost people that were very dear to me, lost people that knew me, that loved me and understood me. At the beginning of the school year, I stayed with the people that I knew, but soon I met new people, people that have brought so much in my life, in such a tremendously short period of time. These people, while looking back, I cannot envision what my life might have been like without them. ... You can fall in love, fall out of love, discover a best friend, and m...
