The Unwavering, Academic Mindset: Just Push!

Imagine yourself in a world where you believed, that absolutely anything is possible for humanity. Aside from the obvious "I can't turn the sky into a different color" kind of dreams, humanity is cable of quite a bit. I had to remind myself of this back in fall 2010/spring 2011. At the time my father was at the house with us, and claimed I didn't want to return to school. Little did he know, that my brain was CRAVING an opportunity to get a degree! At that point, just the thought of sitting at a desk with a pen and pencil got me amped up.

Pops paid half of what I owed Hudson County Community College, and I paid the other half. Listen...Target just wasn't paying enough for me to handle expenses, and eliminate a school balance I owed, okay? No matter what, I was determined to go back.

Let's fast forward to my final semester!

Before we proceed...know that I HATE mathematics! I had to take Collegiate Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, Sociology of the Family (my favorite class), and another course currently eluding my brain, in one shot! You can imagine what that was like; I don't drink, but if I did? Ha...guaranteed alcoholic approaching!

I had classmates tell me that I was a bit insane, simply for taking on Chemistry and Bio in the same semester. Eh...ok, that's a relatively applicable label in that regard. I told them that I always had a thought that kept me going; my parents sitting at my graduation, with the biggest smiles on their faces!

Oh wait...I remember now; the class was Criminology! Who amongst the readers has ever taken this course? I know I cannot see your hands, but know that if you did raise one, I...feel...your...pain! I'd rather watch golf than take that course again (no shade to those who like golf. It certainly isn't for me)! That course (tag teaming with Collegiate Algebra) was dreadful to sit through.

School Involvement:

I remember making one very intentional decision, during the last semester in HCCC. I made a profound & well thought out choice, to be involved in almost anything I could get into. The Student Association President announced a photoshoot for the school's website, campaigns, etc. I made sure to get in! Trips, movie night, pizza parties, game day for the graduates...I got heavily invested into leaving my mark in that school!

Opposition & resistance are excessive, when pondering your push to finish college. Have you lost count of the amount of people who said, "you ain't gonna do _____ with your life, are you?" Well, those who're opposing you very likely have NOTHING going on in their lives, and would love for you to join them.

Resistance is definitely worse than opposition! People tend to be used to others speaking against their goals & dreams, or belittling their talents. It's common, though it would be nice to have some support; especially from the folk who claim to care about you. That being pointed out, when you doubt yourself the resistance can seem subtle. When you lose faith in your ability, it's catastrophic!! Picture picking up a butcher knife from the kitchen, and roughly putting it against your own throat. Do you feel what I'm saying?

To conclude - I graduated with my AA degree in Sociology, in May of 2012! It was one of the happiest days of my life!! To this very moment, I still remember that hug my dad gave me. It moved my soul in an unexplainable manner!

For anyone in school, returning to school, feeling like they just might sit behind a student's desk again, remember your why!! Once your start, visualize the main target...and FIRE!!