We spend thirteen years in school trying our best to get good grades and fit in that it’s hard to find out which direction we want to take or who we really are. We are too busy trying to please everybody else and follow the crowd. But do you really want to be just another person in the crowd, or do you want to stand out? We don’t exactly get to experience the real world or have to work full time because we know our parents will take care of us. We don’t have to pay the bills, therefore, we don’t appreciate all of the things given to us. But when we grow up, who is going to give us the things that we want? Not our parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles. We are.

I have heard some students say that they are only here because their parents pushed them to attend, or go in to a career that they don’t even like. Some people think that taking time off from school isn’t a good idea, or that it will push you off track. I’m not saying that you should take three years off, like I did, but it did shape me in to a wiser person. I wasn’t a big fan of high school. Kids were mean, so I was absent a lot and I didn’t really care much about my grades. I was afraid that college would be the same way, therefore, I decided not to go. After three long years of working hard in my parent’s restaurant I thought to myself, is this the dream I had envisioned for myself? I have wanted to be an actress since I was in sixth grade and that dream was still fogging up my vision. Sure, I would do a few community plays here and there, but I wanted more. It was as if something came over me and one day I just woke up. For me, this meant saying goodbye to many things that were weighing me down and saying hello to a bigger and better future.

I am now a junior in college and coming here has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has opened up my eyes to so many different possibilities and I feel so much more passionate and devoted to my career. In the time I took off, I worked exceptionally hard. I now have goals set for myself and more appreciation for things, such as the cost of college. When you start paying all your own bills, you will learn to appreciate things more. I have come to the realization that hard work is the key to success. Whatever you choose to do, you are going to be doing for the rest of your life. I have a friend who’s parents want them to go to school to be a doctor, but they want to be a theatre major. Do what you love. It’s your life and as long as it makes you happy than that’s all that matters. Several people don’t even know what they want to do when they graduate high school or even college and that is okay. Some will change their major several times. I mean how are you going to know exactly what you want to do unless you try other things? We don’t get to try that many different things in high school, so taking that time off can really help a person discover new interests.

Those three years really gave me the experience of the real world and what I am going to face when I go out on my own. I came to college knowing who I am, what I want and what I am going to do to get it. I am more motivated than ever to finish college with good grades, goals, a plan, respect, wisdom, and while I’m here hopefully give others some inspiration to not give up on their dreams.

It may be hard and their may be many obstacles you have to overcome, but you will make it through. Just remember, every storm will run out of rain. You will make several mistakes along the way, but each one of them teaches us something new. In the end you will feel so much better knowing that you put your all in to each and every task you completed. And hey, if something doesn’t work out at least you can say that you tried your best. Just ask yourself this… “When I am 60 years old looking back on my life, what do I want to see myself accomplish? “Will I be pleased with the chances I did or didn’t take?”