Why Did I Attend College? Good Question! (Revised)

Photo Credit: College

       When I was asked, "Why did you decide to go to college?" I've got to be honest and say that before that moment I had not really thought about the reasons behind my decision. So I sat down with a cup of coffee and thought of the the main reasons why I'm going to college. I came to realize how big of a decision it really was, and how lightly I was taking it.

Photo Credit: JSU

       My main reason for attending college was the satisfaction of knowing that I was challenging myself to go above the academic standard that I thought I could handle. I was never a very intellectual person. I was always the kid who sat in the middle of the class and busted out a good joke every 5 minutes. Sometimes I just wanted to give up trying in school, because I would study hard but still make below par grades. My breaking point was in the 3rd grade, when I just gave up trying in school and ended up getting held back by my parents. I had this attitude because I always felt pressured in school. I've personally grown up in a household where my brothers and sisters all got into college on full-ride scholarships. For example my sister, Courtney Crosby, and her husband Andrew are going to JSU completely free with the help of the Elite Honors Scholarship and they are both tutors at A.C.E. Growing up around people with the smarts that I couldn't dream of having really intimidated me, and in some cases made me feel dumb. However, I kept on pushing myself and ended up getting a partial scholarship to JSU! Everyone in my family was so excited and proud of me. For once in my life I felt like I was smart like the rest of my family.

             Another reason for going to college was that it would be helpful to me as I headed into the life beyond high school, or the so called "great unknown". In high school, I was always around the same people everyday and we were babied as students. We were given way to many chances to get our work done that we honestly didn't deserve. Once you get into college it is a whole different ball game! If you need to get a book for class then you have to go and buy it from the bookstore. There is no more getting books for free, or having lunch for 2 dollars a day. If you need to get up early for a class, then it's your responsibility to set an alarm. College is the stepping stone into becoming a true adult. Everything about college helps an individual grow up. It teaches responsibility, gives you great people skills, and also helps you to figure out who you are as a person.

        The last reason that I decided to go to college is the fact that I get to learn to do something that I feel passionate about! I'm going to major in Hospitality and Culinary Management at JSU and that is so exciting to me, because I have a passion for cooking and owning my own restaurant one day. Ever since I was a little kid, I have loved to cook. I've gone from cooking eggs in the morning for breakfast as a 5 year old, to now I'm cooking whole meals and dessert for everyone in my family. I've always dreamed of owning my own restaurant, just the thought of putting smiles on peoples faces with something as simple as food that I made is remarkable to me. The true American dream is to have a job that doesn't feel like your working, rather that you feel like you are doing something that you truly love. With a college education, I will be able to learn everything that I will need to further pursue my American dream of owning my very own restaurant! That reason alone is enough to make me want to go to college.

         These are just a few reasons why I decided to go to college. I cant wait to see what is in store for me in the future. God Bless!