Ear to the The Street
A First time for everything
Timothy Gilbert
Contributing Columnist
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: Arts & Culture
No matter what we do in life, there is always a first time for everything. Many students are in college, and they are the first in their families to attempt to complete a degree at an institution of higher learning.
Students need to take personal responsibility and use the opportunity of gaining a college education to its fullest.
First generation students may have a harder time finding their way, due to a lack of guidance. People are always more afraid of the unknown, and being the first to attempt a task as large as going off to college means you may make many mistakes, but understand that you should not be afraid to make them.
A lack of guidance is not an excuse for failing to find your way. Just like any kind of journey, we may get lost on the way, but there is no excuse not to get back on track. There is also the option to stop and ask for help.
Always remember the point of a question is to obtain information that matters to the individual and that individual only. Let go of pride and understand that no one can make it through life completely on his or her own.
Being here and learning from the experience can take people to new and better places in life.
A dream of a better life promised through education can be hard to comprehend for some.
Some students believe college could possibly be a waste of time and finances, and would rather not try at all, but are forced to attend anyway. A crazy amount of money is spent and debt is accumulated to go to college, yet no one can guarantee the student will make the desired amount of money they originally intended when school ends.
How closely dreams and reality are related, no one really knows, but keep dreaming. Indeed, the pressure is great because so many people see you as "the golden child" but if your family and friends have faith in you, believe in yourself.
So many of our ancestors fought and died, so future generations of African Americans can have this opportunity. I implore that everyone make the most of it. We are all here for the same reason: to gain an education. If you are here for any other reason, you should leave and return when you are more mature.
Many people "find themselves" while attending college, but you cannot do that if you do not even understand the reason why you're in school.
To all first generation college students, you need to understand that there are future scholars, dependent on the path you're going to set during your collegiate journey.
As you travel further into your educational goals, understand your footsteps will remain and someone will trail them. Accept the challenge head on and have the courage to take control of your destiny.•
Students need to take personal responsibility and use the opportunity of gaining a college education to its fullest.
First generation students may have a harder time finding their way, due to a lack of guidance. People are always more afraid of the unknown, and being the first to attempt a task as large as going off to college means you may make many mistakes, but understand that you should not be afraid to make them.
A lack of guidance is not an excuse for failing to find your way. Just like any kind of journey, we may get lost on the way, but there is no excuse not to get back on track. There is also the option to stop and ask for help.
Always remember the point of a question is to obtain information that matters to the individual and that individual only. Let go of pride and understand that no one can make it through life completely on his or her own.
Being here and learning from the experience can take people to new and better places in life.
A dream of a better life promised through education can be hard to comprehend for some.
Some students believe college could possibly be a waste of time and finances, and would rather not try at all, but are forced to attend anyway. A crazy amount of money is spent and debt is accumulated to go to college, yet no one can guarantee the student will make the desired amount of money they originally intended when school ends.
How closely dreams and reality are related, no one really knows, but keep dreaming. Indeed, the pressure is great because so many people see you as "the golden child" but if your family and friends have faith in you, believe in yourself.
So many of our ancestors fought and died, so future generations of African Americans can have this opportunity. I implore that everyone make the most of it. We are all here for the same reason: to gain an education. If you are here for any other reason, you should leave and return when you are more mature.
Many people "find themselves" while attending college, but you cannot do that if you do not even understand the reason why you're in school.
To all first generation college students, you need to understand that there are future scholars, dependent on the path you're going to set during your collegiate journey.
As you travel further into your educational goals, understand your footsteps will remain and someone will trail them. Accept the challenge head on and have the courage to take control of your destiny.•
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