My brother in his gown, graduating after doing 3 years of community college (and construction) and 2 years at a university.
I remember the day I got my letter of acceptance to my dream school. I read the letter over and over again, trying to understand why that even though I was good enough to get in, I would never be good enough to attend.
I know what it’s like to be filled with so many emotions you don’t even know what to do. The countless nights I had to pretend I wasn’t crying so my parents and brothers wouldn’t be worried. The endless times I had to excuse myself when my friends talked about college and who their roommates were going to be. I hated them because while they were concerned about their friendships; all I ever wanted was a chance at what they had. I know what it’s like to fight the envy for these friends, because the thing that made me different from them wasn’t my GPA, it was my status. I know about the comments you have to keep in your head when your friends complain about FAFSA, because you only dream of receiving that kind of help.
“I know what it’s like to fight envy for my friends going to college, because the thing that made me different from them wasn’t my GPA, it was my status.”
Here’s the thing about all of this: It gets better. I had to wait three years before I got to a university, but here I am, still going. It is discouraging to constantly be told you’re not good enough, but it is also what should spark the fight inside you. Prove everyone wrong. There is no “perfect” path to success, only yours. Some people know what their next step is their entire lives. Some of us don’t. Some of us have to wander into the night hoping, eventually the sun will set.
Getting through high school is a great accomplishment. But it is only a small win in a much bigger battle. You have to keep going. Whether you want to go to college or get a job, it should be a personal choice and not one made by the government. If there’s a will, there’s a way. You have to remember things may seem impossible, but how possible did it seem for you, to come to a new country, learn a new language, and graduate at an American school? Keep fighting, because speed bumps may slow you down but they’re not there to stop you.
Si se puede!
