Why College Is Important To Me

A college degree represents the American dream to many families, including mine, that believe that it can open the door to a world full of opportunities. Since I first came to the United States my main concern has always been my education and how it could impact my future, however, college has completely changed my expectations for life and also the way I live life. As a result of the challenges and the experiences I have faced in college, I have changed in the following three ways: balance, prioritization, and vulnerability.

First, it is extremely important to signal the significance of balancing my work in college. Taking close to six classes a semester was a challenge especially due to all the assignments that are sent by the teachers daily, but it certainly helped me learn how to multitask. I find it helpful to work in multiple homework at the same

time, this is because even though each assignment is different, keeping my mind occupied and doing little by little allows me to work more while finishing faster. As a college student I believe that it is extremely important to succeed on my classes, but I also believe that this is the time to explore my options for the future and to find my true self which is why I find it essential to balance my assignments with my personal life.
Second, college has shown me that it is important to prioritize my wellbeing in every situation.

Trying to achieve my best, not only in my education but also in my personal life, sometimes I forget that as a human being I will never be perfect and end up hurting myself more. I went through extremely difficult times trying to adjust myself to the School for Advanced Studies which requires me to take both college classes as well as advanced placement high school courses, but it was not until I bursted into tears during a family vacation that I realized that by trying to be the best in everything I was pushing myself too far. Each experience I have had in college helped me furthermore understand that my wellbeing comes before any expectation or goals, because I would rather end up with no accomplishments than with any type of mental illness due to all the pressure and stress that classes can put on me. I was raised with the ideology that only I have the power to change my life, and through my education I have come to the realization that if I one day want to be successful I have to take care of myself before

anything.
Third, I learned the value of being vulnerable in a classroom and not being afraid to show it. College has shown me that I cannot be afraid to ask questions and to look for more resources with the help of those around me in order to understand the content of the classes. During my first semester I tried to justify my test results on a bad chemistry teacher, but after seeking help in the department I realized that the professor is not the only source that the college offers to learn a subject. Even in the moments when everyone understands what the teacher says but me, I have learned to set my pride aside and to look for guidance. I chose to go to college because I want to keep challenging myself and I want to keep learning more, but I wouldn't be able to without asking for help.
In conclusion, college has been a time of growth for me and every day seeing my progress makes me prouder than any other achievements I have obtained. Balance, prioritization, and vulnerability are three of the ways in which I have changed, anyhow, each change has deeply influenced me and completely changed my life and aspirations.