What my Education will afford me…

For many people education is not important. For a time this was true of me, but not anymore. Having lived out in "the real world" for fifteen years, (giving birth to three children, and going through a divorce after ten years of marriage) I have learned the hard way just how important a good education (with good grades) really is. These lessons in my life have taught me to appreciate the rewards of hard study and striving for the better mark. I strive for these accomplishments because of the benefits that a good education affords me. These include a better self-image, a better sense of responsibility, and the ability to meet the needs of my children and myself.

When I started college my divorce was recently finalized, I was on food stamps, welfare, and borrowing money from parents and church to make ends meet at the end of the month. These situations combined together to cause a very low self-esteem, I felt I was sinking and would not be able to deal with the circumstances I was in. As I began the Ahead program, I was forced to look at myself. I had to see what was truly inside of me, not what anyone might see, think, or say about me. I began to see that I had allowed many people around me to define who I was, what I could handle, and where I was headed. I began to realize that I had never reached inside of myself, and up to God, and truly believe that I could accomplish what others thought impossible. As this dawned on me I began to remember the dreams and belief in myself that I once had. Classes began, and I began to meet my own expectations of myself. I had not been able to do that before. I began to see that my dreams were not impossible for me to reach; but that after dreaming them, I had allowed others to define just how far I was able to get before I was beaten down. Currently I have A’s in all my classes. This new self-confidence has enabled me to see just who I am through Christ, all that I can handle, and all the endless possibilities for my future.

Responsibility is required in college and in the Ahead program. If you do not possess the skills necessary to be responsible, or if those skills are dull, they will be learned and honed in this situation. In high school and even in most jobs there is someone looking over your shoulder to make sure you are in attendance and are performing as needed. In college and in the Ahead program the teachers and counselors are handling such a huge load of students going in so many different directions, that it is mostly impossible for them to look over every individual’s shoulder. Since I am determined to make it through with the best record possible, it is up to me to make sure that I have covered all bases. I have not always been able to do everything, but I am improving in the amount of goals I have been able to meet. Assignments, correspondence, attendance, meetings, study sessions, homework, and mentoring for me and my children are my responsibility. There is no one else to do these things for me and very few reminders and cheer sessions to get me going. If I decided to only do what I absolutely had to do, I would not be able to meet most of my responsibilities, much less get the high scores required. Realizing this, I not only take the responsibility for the achievements I’ve been able to make, but also for the failures I have had. If I do not take full responsibility even for my failures, I will not be able to learn from them. Blaming others for my failures, even if they are partly to blame, causes me to not look so harshly at myself, and then I am not as motivated to change my reactions and habits. This only leads to more failures. When responsibility is required, it is learned by those determined to make it. Learning this will help me to succeed in school, and also in life.

I have three children to support and myself. Child support is rarely paid and never in the amount required by law. One benefit of my education is the ability to provide for the needs of my children, and also to supply the things I want for them. Therefore, the result of all the lessons learned and diploma earned is the fruition of this dream. Although I am glad that I will be able to provide monetarily, there are other things that I will be able to provide through my education. One thing I want to provide for them is the experience of seeing me reach my goals. If they always hear that "…you can succeed…", and "…hard work pays off…" and never see someone doing this, it will not become a part of their character. The next generations have to experience this truth for them to truly believe that they can do it. This is the heritage I want for my future family. To realize that one person with Christ can rise above circumstances and succeed for them and their family without becoming a victim is exactly what I want for my kids.

My education, as you can see, has afforded me more than just what was taught in the classes. It has enabled me to have greater self-esteem, build on my responsibility, and provide not only money, but an example to my children. An education has become, for me, more valuable than I can express. The lessons that I know I have learned, and am discovering daily, will be used daily in my life from this point forward. Education is definitely more than the sum of its parts.

Collette Ventura

10/21/03

Kass writing assignment