Essay On Why College Is Important To Me

Dreams are intangible and for some people, they do not exist at all. For some, the word ‘dream’ means nothing special, in particular. However for me, my dreams are the driving force. Life has thrown numerous ups and downs in my path but yet, my aspirations continue to pave my way. I did not let go of my will to achieve what I am determined to attain. This is particularly why college holds immense importance for me.
Indubitably, it is a huge challenge to return to college as an adult. Several obstacles await a person at this stage. The first barrier to overcome is the acceptance of surroundings. After being out of touch with a college environment for so many years, it is extremely difficult to adapt to the circumstances in a short while. Every person will spend a while before he/she gets accustomed to the routine. The issue of “academic preparedness” also needs to be considered. According to Barrett, “If you are not prepared for school academically you may feel overwhelmed when you start classes”. Therefore, it is of the essence to be mentally prepared for the stress that is going to be concomitant with the daily assignments, quizzes, and projects. However, it is not the stress of the everyday tasks, but rather the diversity of the tasks that attracts me. I believe that by joining college, I will re-discover the active part of my personality – the part that has been rendered dull by a rather monotonous routine.
Furthermore, it is even more difficult to be accepted by others in the class. There might be a few other students who would have returned to college as adults, but other than that, the younger lot is bound to show some resistance towards grouping with students twice their age. This can engender a feeling of isolation. However, I believe that this is one of the challenges that I can easily overcome. I am determined towards finding my niche in my classroom by finding like-minded people around me, no matter which age group they belong to, and by establishing a friendly impression at the outset. I am actually looking forward to facing this scenario because I find the idea of finding my feet in unknown situations appealing.
Perhaps, one of the most encouraging development is the one quoted by NBC news. Holland wrote that “Students over age 35, who accounted for 17 percent of all college and graduate students in 2009, are expected to comprise 19 percent of that total by 2020.” This has done nothing other than fanning the fire of enthusiasm in my heart. This piece of news should be an inspiring force for anyone who has always wanted to go back to college after dropping out due to family responsibilities. It is important to realize that we have to seize the moment; if that moment is not today, it shall come tomorrow, and once it arrives, we should not ignore it. Rather, we should grasp it tightly and take full advantage of the opportunity. After all, the opportunity cropped up for a purpose, and that purpose should be fulfilled.
Even while being aware of the myriad challenges that await me at the entry to college, I am unwavering in my decision. Usually, people tend to bury their dreams after being bogged down by the burden placed on them in the form of other responsibilities. I do not want to belong to that group of people. I want to be known by the name of dream-chaser – someone who relentlessly fought to achieve his aims and aspirations.

Works Cited

Barrett, Brenda. “Making the Choice to Go Back to School as an Adult: Things to Consider.” Brighthub.com. Bright Hub Inc., 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
Holland, Kelley. “Back to School: Older Students on the Rise in College Classrooms.” Nbcnews.com.Nbc News, 28 Aug. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.