Living Out a Dream to Live Out

Living Out a Dream

To Live Out a Dream

I was a boy who loved to read, write, and daydream. Everyday I cherished going to school and my mother never had a hard time waking me up because I knew that one day I would be able to take care of her and my family. My father passed away when I was 12 and he would always tell me that a smart man will opt to use with his brain before his back, and that I could do anything I put my mind to. He was a strong believer in these notions and in my ability, the oldest of 4 children.

It all began when I was 15 years old. Having no option, I needed to work. Everyday after school I would run home and do the necessary chores so my mother would not have to worry. After, I would ride my bicycle to Mr. Caruso's mechanic shop and helped him with various tasks. This continued for many years. I lived my life to help my family. We got by and I was always proud of that. There, however, was not a day that went by that I didn't wish to have had the chance to go to University or College. Years past and that dream of attaining even a minor academic achievement seemed just a distant childhood memory. Soon enough I had a family, I had a steady career in the Marine Corps, built a house, and created a comfortable life for my family.

One recent Thanksgiving dinner my sister mentioned to me about her getting a job at The University of British Columbia. That resonated strong within my soul. She encouraged me to explore the options of academia after my career in the Marine Corps was over. I began to think about my dreams again. This could have everlasting effects on my happiness and propose some challenges along the way. Going back to school at my age could prove to be an exigent endeavor. I will explain the reason why I decided to return to school, the benefits of my college degree, the changes in my lifestyle required for me to pursue my degree, the obstacles of completing my degree program, and the strategies I will use to overcome these obstacles,

I decided to return to school, first and foremost, to live out my dream. All my life, advanced education was at the forefront of my thoughts and if I am to promote the benefits of academics to my own children, I'd better practice what I preach. To me, there are no more lost opportunities, no excuses, and no regrets in the form of "could of," "would of" or "should of." I wish to be an example to my children that even after all those years of hard work and sacrifice, it is still possible to reach your goals.