How many of us heard: You have to go to college after high school and pursue your education? I know I did by several people and both sides of my family.
My journey to completing my Associate, and Bachelor’s degrees was different but similar to some people’s.
- Associates – DEC 2013
- Bachelors -DEC 2019
- Masters – DEC 2021
I was a first-generation student. I never thought college would be for me, yet alone how would I pay for this. In high school, I was apart of the Upward Bound Program at UGA. It was a great opportunity. The goal of Upward Bound is to prepare low-income high school students who may be first-generation college students for success in post-secondary education by developing in students the abilities and determination needed for success. The program offered stipends to be able to apply to 3-5 colleges for free.
After completing high school in 2009, I decided to attend an HBCU in Middle Georgia called Fort Valley State University. My uncle went to Fort Valley but he didn’t complete his degree. I wanted to go to this college and “show him how to complete a degree.” (Literally what I told him LOL). Oh was I wrong. After attending FVSU for one year and a summer, I left. I had issues with my financial aid every semester and it was too much. I went back to my hometown of Athens, GA.
After returning home, I decided to get a job. Due to some unfortunate events, I had to find somewhere to live. I was able to stay with another family member, save my money and was able to get my own apartment. A little over eight months had past and I haven’t started back school. I knew I wanted to go back but a lot of negative thoughts stood in my way: “could I do this”, “will I pursue a different major” and “will have financial aid?” Once I was able to clear my thoughts, I enrolled in a technical school in Athens. It wasn’t my first choose, but I wanted to complete a degree.
While attending school, I was working full-time (3rd shift to be exact). I would get off work and drive straight to school for my 8am class. It was challenging and difficult at times to balance it all, but I did it. I wanted more for myself and knew with an education, it could help me get out of my small college town. After two years, I completed my Associates in Criminal Justice (2013). I was happy to finally complete a degree. I decided against attending the graduation because at the time I didn’t think it was important. Once again, I was wrong. It is important to celebrate every milestone even if it wasn’t your ideal journey.
Prior to finishing with my associates, I wanted to join the police department. My reasoning for pursuing my degree in criminal justice is to become a detective. Thanks to Olivia in Law & Order SVU. In one of my courses, my professor explained the journey to becoming a detective and how it could take years. I am not going to lie, it deterred me from pursuing it. After giving up interested, I decided to go back to school. Enrolled into nursing at the technical school. At this point, I was chasing stability in a career. I learned fast, science was not my favorite subject and it was a lot of it.
Fast forward two years later (2015), I found myself moving to Atlanta really Gwinnett County. After a hard break up, I wanted something new. Athens is small and I knew I couldn’t reach my full potential there. I applied to several colleges and technical schools to be able to continue nursing. I attended Georgia State University in Downtown Atlanta. Due to my transportation issues, I kept missing or being late to my 8am class. I was doing OK in chemistry. I had to speak to my advisor or an academic coach about my goal for my bachelors degree. After this conversation, I was heartbroken. I didn’t keep a 3.0 to be able to continue in the nursing program. I had to find a new degree route again. I was devastated, I cried so much but I still appreciate the lady I spoke with. Once leaving her office, I decided to change my major to sociology.
I choose sociology due to my interest in culture diversity. I took this class in my first semester at FVSU. I loved it and it gave me another perspective of the world. Stay with me ha. Growing up biracial, I saw the world in two different views. Both of my families were of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds and political views. I knew our differences in the world impacted us. Growing up, I didn’t meet a lot biracial or multicultural kids. I knew I was “different“. I looked different compared to the rest of my family.
Housing, transportation and work continue to get in my way of school. I was moving into my own place, relied on a family member to help with a car and started a new job at Atlanta Airport (2016). Even with everything going on, I continued to go to school. At this point, I was working and going to school full-time. I would get off work at 12, drive to the Marta parking and ride the train to school. I had classes from 2-7 on Tuesday and Thursday. I know you can see the pattern, life can get in the way.
After living in Atlanta area for almost three years, I wanted a change. With my job, I was able to transfer. I applied to transfer to five different airports. I choose Dallas due to my trainer talking highly about the city. Prior, I have never visit or knew anyone in Texas. Yet, I called Texas home. During this time, I withdrew from school because I was attending online and in person. February of 2018, I left everyone I knew and started a new life in Dallas.
Once I was settled in, I started looking for schools to apply to. I decided to stick with a school in Georgia. I completed my BS in Sociology at the University of West Georgia. Once again, I was working and attending school online full-time. I learned my lesson before so, I choose to attend my graduation. My boyfriend (now husband) and I flew to Georgia for my graduation. It was an opportunity for him to meet some of my family and friends. The visit was short and I didn’t tell anyone about my graduation except two people. I don’t like things being a big deal lol.
This was a long overview of my journey to completing my bachelors. My journey was different and not your average story. Many people completed their bachelors, four years after high school. Possibly graduating at the age of 22-23. With all my life changes, issues and setback, I was able to complete my bachelors at the age of 28.
I want to share my story because I know it is someone comparing their educational journey to others. I was guilty of that myself. I would see classmates completing their undergrad degree and moving onto their graduate degree, ask myself “why isn’t that me?” I am here to tell you, all of our journeys are different and that is okay. The goal is to never give up even when it gets hard. Through everything above I was able to finish.
SO CAN YOU! I am cheering you on
