Developing the Journey

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom.”
- Aristotle

Who am I? How do we define ourselves? What makes a person different from others? Questions we ask about ourselves to find our identity. Identity is defined by an individual characteristics by which a person or thing is recognized. A person’s identity revolves around family, ethnicity, culture, beliefs, environment, and language.

“Culture is that which binds people together.”
- Kluckhohn

We carry our identities where ever we go in life for example work and school. Struggles in school, family motivation, and opportunity in life are what influenced me to become a college student.
Stairs to Success

It starts in middle school until now when I see myself as an average student. Grades I was getting where Bs, Cs, and Ds. School has been exciting for me because I learned new things everyday. I have always started school off with a focused mind and eager to learn attitude. I had goals to get through the school year for example doing my homework and turning it in on time. Mid-point of the quarter I would slowly faded and loses focus on doing assignments. Due to other things that were going on outside of school I felt at times to just want to give up. I would then come back up because I did not want to fall behind. From the studying and help of friends, classmates, and teachers that is how I got through school. I had a feeling of ashamed if I did not accomplish what I needed to do. Although my life in school and outside of school goes up and down I never gave up. The choices I have seen in my life was either to gain a higher education and live life to the fullest with great accomplishments of be lazy and miserable.

Inspiration Starts within the Home

Family is what motivated and shaped me to be the college student I am. As a teenager and till this day, I have a mindset of attaining a higher education because my parents attended college and I wanted to hold a job that will support me in the future. Through my parents and siblings going to college I felt that it should be a tradition for me and my future family. Both, my parents had attended Brigham Young University. Only my father graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration and Information Technology. My mother did not finish because she started to have kids. My brothers attended Hawaii Community College. They both gotten degrees. I always felt that one day I would be like them especially following the footsteps of my parents by getting a degree and then have a family. Family is very important to me especially my dad because they push and support me to continue my education so I will be successful and have a stable future wherever I go.

“All right, querida,” said her Colonel, “I must go now, and I want you to know how proud I am of you for doing so well in school. For without education, a person can’t go very far in life.”
- Victor Villasenor

It has been a year since I have been back to school. I have taken a year off because I had an offer on a job that has fulfilled part of my goal. Working there has been an experience for me but my family pushed me to go back and continue school. They have told me that right now economy is not doing well if you continue and get that degree you will become a leader someday. Hearing that one day I can be a leader was exciting and honored because I felt that I will make a difference in lives of others.

Life’s Expectancy

Attending school and listen to different conversations of struggles has opened up my chance as a student in college. I remember how students share about their family’s obstacle and even though with the struggle in their live they kept on top their education.

“Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.”
- President Obama

I have always pictured myself in their place. Being fascinated of the things they go through to get to this point of gaining a higher education. This made me feel encouraged to do well in school. I also like to have the voice of my father telling me “to continue your education, as long as you get a degree you will be successful in life.”

College is a key to a better and successful future. No matter the situation you come from realize that most people come from or share the same things as you for instance struggling in school try to pass, family support, or effects that come in life whether it’s the struggle to get to your education. I have learned that these elements have helped build my identity as a college student and will keep build for the rest of my life.