Embracing the Journey: How Education is Changing My Life

The Unequal Start:

There are many barriers to reaching our academic and educational potential. Often, the foundation with which we begin our academic journey is not determined by us. It is determined by our guardians, those who raised us, those who taught us, those who sat on the public-school boards and decided our future. Despite education being free in America for the first 13 years, it doesn’t mean we all end up with the same education… or the same opportunities.

Breaking Barriers:

Growing up in a rural, undereducated region, my schooling experience was lacking. I was homeschooled. I was educated in religious books. But I didn’t want that life. I wanted more; I wanted higher education. My dream isn’t just about academic achievement, though; it’s about breaking barriers. I come from a community where education was never prioritized, often dismissed in favor of faith. I was taught that only the most basic education was necessary because everything else would be taken care of by a higher power. But I knew I wanted more. Becoming the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree—and now setting my sights on graduate school—is more than personal ambition; it’s a movement toward rewriting my family’s legacy.

Beyond my professional aspirations, my education represents something deeply personal. It’s a means of securing a better future for my family, providing financial stability, and setting an example for my daughter. I want her to see that dreams are not just abstract ideas; they are tangible goals that require perseverance, hard work, and passion. And action. Lots and lots of action. And getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

For many students, especially the young, each class is just another checkbox on a long list of academic requirements—a steppingstone on the path towards graduation. But for me, every course is more than just a requirement; it’s a drop of water in the ocean of my future. Each lesson, each assignment, each tuition bill, each long night adds to the wave that will propel me forward towards my dreams.

Making the Journey Possible:

I hope that in this blog, I can share my successes and struggles, but more importantly, I want to share practical advice. I want people to be inspired, but more importantly, I want people to find resources. I want to be an example, but more importantly, I want YOU to be an example.

Call to Action:

If you’ve ever thought about starting or continuing your educational journey, but don’t know where to begin, here are some resources that helped me along the way

Links:

Where do I even start? (Blog post with links for looking into what it means to go to college)