Written by Keri-ann Jackson

Published on December 19, 2014

Perception is reality, well maybe; at least that is what seems to dominate society’s outlook on others. There is something  innate in all of us that drives us to believe what we are told until proven otherwise. This belief may be the flaw in the universe that is holding back all the potential and possibilities that each one of us posses

Things do not always go as planned.  Everyone has an individual journey to embark on, but none of that matters. What matters is what you decide to do for yourself and for your own life. Listening to other people’s opinions can be really depressing, so at what point do you stop allowing others to dictate your life, and realize that you are the only one who is truly in control of your own destiny?

For me, all it took was a wake up call, I managed to climb my way up the retail ladder and become an Assistant Manager. Everyday I would go to work, dressed in an all black uniform as if I were attending my own funeral. Each day, I would see the same people saying the same things in the same clothing, and each day I vowed to return to school to further my endeavors. I allowed the fast money and various titles to make me complacent even though I was not content. I quit my job to take a lower title for more pay. The culprit  became  money. I could not stop working, ironically I was not saving any money. Instead I partied, vacationed, and lived lavishly with my friends, who did not mind that I was not in school even though they were, nor did they motivate me to attend school and when they were graduating and building careers. I realized that I was wasting my intellect by being confined in a space making an hourly wage instead of a salary. I only had a job and not a career. I had nothing tangible to call my own.

When a person decides to take a break from school, the negative comments and concerns flood the mouths of naysayers. To an untrained eye it would seem that a person who leaves school without finishing has no chance and is destined for failure. Many people agree that once you go on a hiatus you may never go back. It is as if there is no plan B, and you will have to succumb to some sub-standard lifestyle, because you ruined your chances of becoming an asset to society. For some people, these negative notions may be assessed as true. The only real truth is, if you hear something long enough whether it is fact or not psychologically; you may begin to believe it.

Not everyone can fulfill the standard of the “American Dream,” whatever that is, the ideal concept of completing college in four years, getting that dream career; living in the big house with the white picket fence, the wife ,the dog, two children a girl and a boy; you get the picture.

Let us talk about reality, or at least my reality. I’m 23 years of age, I have been out of school for three years; I have yet to obtain a degree, and you have guessed it I am “Going Back to Get Ahead.” It may sound simple to those who may not understand, but the amount of growth I experienced in taking that time to re-evaluate my life and make better decisions for my future, have provided me with a sense of clarity that I never had in my entire life.

I can only hope that other students who fall off  track or lose sight of what they are doing can see that there is always an outlet or an opportunity as long as you are open-minded and looking for the potential in everything you do. Do not allow other people to dictate your life and instill fear in your mind or influence your future decisions. If I did not decide to enroll at Housatonic this past semester, I would still be living with only the dream of re-admitting and not the reality of actually doing it. There is nothing more gratifying than accomplishing your goals, especially after someone doubts you. There has never been a time constraint on hard work, in the end hard work always pays off.

As cliche as it sounds, “Good things come to those who wait… greater things come to those who get off their ass and do anything to make it happen” (Unknown)