Just the thought of enrolling into school was nerve wrecking but exciting at the same time. It brought me back to my early years when I attended Northside Middle school. The night before school I would lay my best shoes and alfit to match on a chair. Somehow I would still wake up an hour earlier than what my clock was set because I was full of excitement. So now I enrolled in college with that same feeling with a little bit of issues.
Transitioning out of the military to become a civilian is difficult. This can be a negative and positive at the same time. We were trained to live by what we call The Warrior Ethos. I will always place the mission first, I will never accept defeat, I will never quit, I will never leave a fall comrade. So as a positive I have the mindset of school being my mission. I will not accept a C because to me that is midway of defeat. There is no possible way I could quit. Not only have I gotten out of the military without completing my goals of retirement but I have kids that depend on me. My classmates are my comrades, if they struggle I will help them even if it is guiding them to the counselors to receive help. As a negative, I am a veteran of many deployments and my experiences can get in my way at times. Truthfully I am afraid to sit in a classroom with 20 students. There are days that I feel like I'm back in Afghanistan and every one is a threat. I get so nervous that it prevents me from going to class. I know it will take time but I am so determined to succeed so I'm willing to put in therapy time.
Even though I have these issues I am focused on succeeding so I can help others. What I liked about Pikes Peak Community College is that they have help for veterans. They have their own section just to help veterans with applying for their GI Bill, which pays for school. If it is too busy to sign up for classes at enrollment we can always go up stairs to the VA lounge without having to wait for too long. They also have helpful information there about tutoring, certificate programs, and even if you want to do homework in a quiet place you are welcome to go. Now that we are in the halfway point it seems as if its getting tough but I like the challenge. I helps me to be a better student. I think I can study more and putting more effort into my assignments would help my grades even more.
I feel that what you put into school is what you ill get out of it. If you study the minimum amount or not at all it will reflect and show on your grades. You have to have it in your mind and heart that the reasons why you want to go to school. Have your goals in mind as a refresher when you feel yourself falling behind or wanting to give up. I understand that there will be hard times as well as good times in school but I keep giving myself positive affirmations and push through. This is a new change for me. I have little doubt that I will fail. There is too much resources out there to help me and I advise everyone to at least try and see how it is. I was a soldier fighting for my country but now I am a student striving to succeed in college and life.
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