Time for school! Time for school! Are you excited? There was once a time when I was excited about going to school. I use to organize all of my school supplies trying to make sure I had everything that I needed. And I even use to pick out my own school clothes the night before, anxious to put them on. There were times when I thought that I’d oversleep, so I would sleep in my school clothes so that I could be already dressed and ready to go. My elementary school years were the most exciting for me though. I actually use to look forward to going to my school.
Loughman Oaks Elementary was the school I attended and no one could tell me that it wasn’t the absolute best school in the world. Loughman Oaks use to have this ceremony called “Outdoor Opening”. This was a ceremony where they gave out awards to the students who had perfect attendance, who were on the A honor roll, the AB honor roll, and most improved student. This was very exciting to me because not only was this held outside, but because I knew that for one of those awards my name was going to be called. To me, things like this helps to encourage and motivate students to always do their best and strive for excellence.
Acknowledging students’ hard work and dedication is what we sometimes need to know that it’s not all for nothing. What we do is really appreciated. Even though school was fun and exciting, there were times when I enjoyed being away from school. In elementary, we took many exciting field trips. From theme parks to zoos to museums, we went. This was another very exciting moment for me because growing up with my grandparents I never experienced those things outside of school. So they made sure that when a field trip came up, I attended. Then tragedy hit.
My grandmother, the woman who raised me from a baby had passed away. I felt as though I had lost my mother. My backbone was gone and a piece of me left with her. I still had my grandfather so I continued to press forward. I have always been an academically bright student. Even with my grandmother passing, I made it through elementary without a problem. Then there was middle school. It wasn’t so bad until I started making friends with more mature students. I was influenced by them greatly and wanted to fit in with them. I never really took my education for granted but somehow I changed.
My grades were slipping and I started arriving late to class. I started to become interested in boys. I cared more about their opinion than I actually cared about my education. Was this really me? Or was their still an empty void that I just wanted to fill? Either way, I noticed the drastic change but just couldn’t seem to get back on track. This honor roll student that I once knew was gone. But I somehow managed to get my grades to passing. Yes! I made it to high school. Ninth grade went a little smoother for me but by now my attitude towards school and the things around me has changed.
My grades weren’t so bad but my drive for education wasn’t as high as it were before. More problems had occurred at home and I felt as though I had no one. I was literally taking care of myself. My grandfather had found life somewhere else with a woman and I was alone. As a teenager you never think that you’d be responsible for providing your own meals, clothes, and things for school. This all made me want to give up. I stopped coming to school for an education and came only because I had to. My Tenth and eleventh grade years I was like a ghost just walking through the hallways.
I was in the classrooms physically but not mentally. I started missing a tremendous amount of days. Met other men and women and just completely had given up on school. Now I’m out in the world experiencing all these worldly things. School just didn’t seem as important to me anymore. By the age of 17 I was pregnant. Which then gave me a little hope and I wanted to finish my education. I went to this adult school to work on getting my GED. Completed the class but never took the test. It seemed as though no matter what I did there was always something in my way.
I just didn’t care anymore. I started living my life as an adult trying to maintain a stable environment for me and my unborn. Once the baby was born I moved in with my baby’s father. He provided everything I wanted and needed and wanted to have control over me. Education was not an option. More babies came and more common sense came with them. I needed to get back in school to provide a better life for them and not have to depend on someone else. So here I am now attending school working on getting my high school diploma.
Not as exciting as it were before I still appreciate the opportunity at a second chance. With three beautiful girls now, I’m grateful for everything that I’ve been through. Not only did it make me a stronger woman but a better mother also. I will be there to encourage my kids every step up the way. I will let them know that in life there will be obstacles but you must persevere. Knowing what I know now, School may not be as fun or exciting as before but it is worth it to keep pressing forward for a better future, a better life, and simply a better you.