Essay

Roshni Choksi
English 52 (10:00 – 12:50) Prof. Suzzane Ashe
Paper # 1 Writing Challenge College is a very responsible and interesting stage of life for every person. It brings a whole bunch of changes, new emotions, liabilities and challenges. People should train a lot of professional and social skills, which determine a lot in their future life. We don’t know if we adjust to a place where every single student has to stand on their own two feet and take responsibility for our education and future. This transition from high school to college is the most significant in our lives. I began college for many other reasons. The things I expect to gain from college are to get a better job, to be confident, and to meet new people. I finished my High school in India which is very different from here. After passing 10th grade we have to decide whether to take Commerce or Science. This courses are differentiate by the students who are interested doing there major in medicine, engineer or may be pharmacy they have to pass there 11th and 12th grade in Science. A student who wants to do major like business, designing or film making has to pick Commerce course. I passed my 11th and 12th grade by finishing in Commerce because I wanted to major in Designing. In India, studying in college is just like studying high school. We just have to decide which university we have to go and fill the application form, pay our fees and “Volla” we got admitted in the College and now we don’t have to worry about which subjects we have to select for our major. In 2008, I moved to United States of America because my brother wants to live and forward our motel business. One day I decided to finish my college and make my dream true by getting master in Graphics Design. I was really happy with my decision but then I realize I am in USA not in India, over here everything is different. From the very beginning of my life I have always been dependent on my family, but after joining college it will be different. I will have to be more responsible have to cut down all my fancy parties and hanging around with siblings. It was really frightening for me, because it is going to be new adventure for me, like roller coaster. There will be so many twist and turns in life after joining college. Other hand I was excited too because I am going to meet new people and will make new friends. My brother helped me little by giving me advice that instead of going into University it will be best if I finish my general education in any Community College. So I can adjust with the nature of college. As we are staying Cerritos community I decided to go in Cerritos College instead of going to Cypress College. I went to college filled out my admission form and the lady on the Admiration told me that I have to take assessment test, after that I can enroll in classes. I was new in the environment so I didn’t know what assessment test is. At that time my brother was on business trip so my mother told me not to bother him and try to figure out by myself. I was very sacred I didn’t know what I am going to do. I decided I am not going to sit here and do nothing. Next morning I went to college and asked the administration lady what is assessment test, and where I have to take the test and what should I study. She explained me everything about assessment test. I took my assessment test without getting any help from my brother. I was really happy that I am ready for some responsibility of myself. But now there is new hurdle in front of me which is the classes I have to take. I took a deep breath and decided to go in orientation and meet counselor who could help me. Orientation went really good I got some good information about college. The next day I had an appointment with a counselor, his name was Ken Matsuura. He helped me to get over with my hurdle. He told me that for spring semester I can only take two classes which are English 20 and Math 40. After passing these classes I can open up different classes which I can take according to my major. I got enrolled in both the classes which Mr. Ken suggested me to do. Getting books and parking permit was easy because I got my protector, “my brother”. First day at college, my heart was racing as I was parking my car. I was excited and nervous butterflies were hoping in my belly. While walking to my class I have many questions hopping in my brain. I was really afraid whether I will able to adopt with new culture. Will people going to like me? Can I able to make new friends? I reached my class, before entering in the class I took deep breath and said to myself to stay calm and focus. There were new faces everywhere some students were talking to each other, may be they knew each other from high school and some students were sitting like me being quite. Our professor’s name was Mrs. Danielo she was really nice. She introduce herself and asked us our names and our major. She gave us the syllabus for the semester and explained us how we have to ride this bus together and motivate other students and help them to ride the bus. First couple of weeks was slow as we were trying to know everyone in the class. After that here comes the big turn, homework and writing essays. I have never written an essay in my life while I was living in India. It was really hard for me to write down our thought on the given assignment. My English is not good and grammar is worse. I was really afraid of writing, I didn’t want to tell anyone. I missed my first essay due date and even second essay due date. After some days Mrs. Danielo called me in her office during office hours. She told me to drop the class I was surprised and scared I didn’t know why she is telling me to drop her class? She told that I haven’t submitted my two essays yet and it will waste of her and my time if I keep on doing this. I started crying, she asked me what’s wrong and told her that I have never write an essay before and I am scared of writing. She told me “if you don’t even try how are you going to learn.” I went home and locked myself in room keep on crying. My mom keeps on asking me what happened. I opened the door and told her about dropping class. She asked me the reason and I told her everything, she told me that I have to try, I just can’t sit and keep on crying. She looked me into in my eyes and told me “You are not my daughter who I used to know, my daughter is very brave and always willing to try new things with excitement. She never cry on her failure but she fight with it.” My mom encouraged me to fight with my problem and help me to sort it out. Next day I went to see Mrs. Danielo and requested her to give me another chance so I can submit both my essays next week. I was really surprised when she supported me and help me with my writings. She even suggested me that I can go to English Success Center where the teachers can help me with my grammar and writing essays. I submitted both my essays next week as I promised and I got B in both essays. I was shocked when I saw my grades. I learned that we should always try new things and never give up by saying I cannot do it. My professor and mother helped me to pass this hurdle of writing essay. I enter college expecting good times, knowledge, friendships, and a new sense of direction, but I soon find out that college comes with challenges and struggles because of the great demands and expectations that are put on the importance of education. I experience a great deal of stress, especially when I am trying to balance a full time job and have a social life. The demands of doing many different things with very little time can become overwhelming. The transition from High school to College was very difficult for me. But we should always keep on trying to learn new things from our life and transition. After doing everything by myself and got little help from everyone I successfully finished my first semester. I hope as I go further I will get same help and motivation so I can be independent, responsible and confident.