What's the best advice you've ever gotten? For me, it wasn't really one piece of advice, but the courage and self-confidence that my parents instilled in me growing up.
I was the smart-ass child. I had an opinion on just about everything, and I loved talking to anyone who would listen. I grew up with parents who told me that I could be anything that I wanted, and to never sell myself short. I was given the opportunity to travel abroad with my parents at a very young, and the cultures that I was exposed to made me a very well-rounded individual. My parents also raised me to believe that everyone is equal and should be treated the same no matter what. I think that this is one of main reasons I developed the personality that I did. I see people as exactly that, people. No one is better than anyone else, and should instead be judged on their personality and hard work rather than coming into the world with a sense of entitlement.
My junior year of college, I had a huge falling out with a professor. During one of our disagreements, the comment was made to me that I would never make it in the real world with my attitude. I think that "shock" doesn't begin to describe my reaction. My attitude? You mean the one that tells me all people are created equal? That hard work and determination are what get you through life, not material things? It's quite amusing to look back on the months that followed that conversation. I had just returned from a national college media conference that our department had attended because of my determination and hard work (and no, I'm not making it all about me...I literally found out about the event a month before, helped set up fundraisers, booked the hotel, found us transportation, and organized all of the events we would attend). My attitude is one of determination. When I want something to work, I do everything I can to see it through. I give 150% to the things that I am passionate about, and my hard work pays off. So what happened with this professor?
Funny how things turned out, actually. That was fall of 2010. My grades put me on the Dean's List 3 out of my final 4 semesters. I brought my GPA up more than .1 and graduated with honors. While other students were out celebrating being in their final year of college, I was in the library or at one of my two jobs busting my butt on homework and saving money to repay my loans. I graduated college and was immediately offered a job. Although it ended up not working out, I found my second job, where I am now, two months later. I am currently working 40 hours a week in my intended area of study, getting paid way above minimum wage, and learning more than my professor ever taught me.
I guess it just goes to show that sometimes, people will try and bring you down. Self-confidence is something that young adults, especially women, are lacking in our society today. Don't be one of the statistics. Rise above the norm and find your passion. With hard work, determination, and faith, you truly can be whatever you want to be. The only person who dictates your future is you.
So what is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten? What is your best piece of advice that you can give to others? COMMENT!
Oh, the other best piece of advice? "Always be nice to the warden." Thanks, Dad. Thanks a whole heap.
No comments:
Post a Comment