During the early months of 1997 the calls from my guidance counselor increased and became disturbing while I was in class. Within weeks our discussions went from "Antonio you need to stay out of trouble and focus on your studies" to "is this college offering your major?." My mother brought me to America at the tender age of thirteen, with the intentions of furthering my education. At such a young age, the thought of going to college left my mind faster than it came. As I grew older, my reasons for not thinking about college were supported by television shows such as "A Different World" and " Save By The Bell the college series. " The shows portrayed the typical college student as someone with excellent High School grades, and focused on the academic burden of the student. My grades in High School averaged in the mid 80's, and compared to the college freshman on the television series, my chances of working in Mc Donald's were increasingly better. .
In the month of February, trips where organized to visit various colleges in the tri-state area. My best friend and I found it convenient to attend these trips, not only to relieve us of the classes we were in, but the rare opportunity to meet college girls on their turf. While visiting one particular College, I took the opportunity to ask if the coarse of study I"m interested in, is being offered. To my surprise, Dowling College did offer Travel and Tourism in addition to many others. My College advisor soon helped me fill out the application, and in one week, checking the mailbox for a reply became the daily routine. In the month of March I finally received the letter of acceptance to Dowling College. This letter was the beginning of the most important turning point, of my life.
Looking back at childhood and acknowledging what changes occurred, to affect my life for the better; I realize that the images on television combined with my low self esteem, because of my low grades in school, made me feel that I was some what not smart enough to compete with other students in college.
