My dream is to end my family's curse of failing. | Teen Ink

My dream is to end my family's curse of failing.

October 16, 2023
By Jaybenji1021 BRONZE, Sacramento, California
Jaybenji1021 BRONZE, Sacramento, California
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When ghetto living seems normal, you have no shame or privacy"-Malcom X


What is my dream? When people are asked about their dreams, most of the time they answer with a profession but my dream differs. I just don’t want to fail in life, and I will take any step necessary to avoid failing. Everyone has different terms of what failing is to them, to me failing would be to get capped on the same level with people I'm not meant to reside with. I don't mean to come off as narcissistic and I'm not saying I'm destined to change the world, but I know I'm destined to be successful.


To avoid failing in life there are crucial steps that I must take to stay balanced on the problematic path of life, but I have to focus on one step at a time. My primary step would be for me to invest in my education. College is what I consider the next step in my life because of the benefits I can reap. It’ll also allow me to truly dig inside and figure out what I will do with my life. On any college campus, you’ll see others who are on different paths in life, different views to give me advice, and those who have seen what I haven't. I plan on going for 4 years to get my bachelor's degree with a major in business or finance. Allowing me to get educated financially while increasing the chances of me gaining financial stability. I want to provide for my family ending this curse of needing outside help.


Yet, I don't have the financial resources to pay for college so I would need all the help I can get. Luckily for me, I reside in California, and thanks to the California Student Aid Commission. They have programs like Cal-Soap, and FAFSA which provide financial aid. Getting into college is less worrisome compared to staying in college, and I will do whatever it takes to stay a part of the campus community. If needed I could use the help of other students, whether it be individual help or help in the form of a study group. Use provided resources like counselors, and tutoring, but I truly believe in my academic capabilities. Yet my first option would be to take advice from my older sister as she graduated from Sac State with a Bachelor's degree.

 

Central Michigan University arranged 12 staggering reasons why getting a bachelor's degree is important to yourself and how society perceives those with said degree, but 3 reasons stuck with me. The increased marketability, networking opportunities, and more career opportunities. CMU stated  “A bachelor's degree is the most reliable path to becoming marketable as a prospective employee” They also stated that “Networking is critical to success in today’s competitive workforce” aligning with my viewpoint. However, just in case I was to get lost on my path there is a built-in-fail-safe in case I decide to take a different route on my journey, and no matter the occupation I will be more likely to be employed than my counterparts with just a GED.


Succeeding is important to me because I have watched my parents, and siblings struggle financially my whole life, and I know others in the same boat as me who want to seek change. J.K Rowling a renowned author, someone who first hand witnessed and overcame struggle said “Poverty entails fear, stress and sometimes depression. It means a thousand petty humiliations and hardships. Climbing out of poverty on your effort, that is on which something to pride yourself…” In the past 2 years, poverty has increased in California, and child poverty rose the most.


Fear pushes my dream to succeed in life. I have only witnessed a glimpse of success in my family and I want to start a trend. In life, those with success receive benefits both physically and mentally, ranging from mental stability to being able to pay for resources. I don't want my kin to have to witness and experience struggle like I have, to even worry about such would mean I have failed. I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid doing so. I'm desperate to succeed because I came from practically nothing.


The author's comments:

I was tasked to right this but in all honesty, Im glad i wrote it. It helped me to look within to find out what do i want in life. I just want to be succesful like my 3 older sisters.


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