If every day of life is a new song and we are the song writers and DJs that bring each song to life, then it’s true we write and produce our own destinies. With every decision we make and every obstacle we face, there is a consequence that follows.
Many times, we don’t realize what those choices mean for our lives and for the lives of people who care about us. It may mean something wonderful and exciting, but it may also mean disaster and disappointment for many. Don’t be a statistic! It’s not worth going through what you have to in order to come back from it.
For example, think back to the first day of your college career. Although you probably dreaded some of the classes you were about to face, you were so excited about the opportunity you had been given and planned to take full advantage it. You went to class eager to learn and absorb, at least for the first few weeks. Many people struggled with this adjustment yet they managed to pull through.
Many continued on and are on a path toward brighter futures and successful years to come. But many chose to become a statistic, slipping into the cracks and settling for life sans an education.
There was an article written by Jonathan Whitbourne, a writer for the CBS Interactive Business Network, about a student named Michael VanAdams. VanAdams was said to be a model high school student who excelled in academia as well as other extracurricular activities. He received a scholarship to the University of Maine and he thought he was set.
He began his classes expecting the same or similar situation that he faced in high school and he was sadly mistaken. Before he knew it, he was failing three classes and discouragement and depression had found their way into his life. He then left the University of Maine without finishing his first semester. He had given up, and he had barely begun.
Whitbourne also points out that one out of every four college freshmen will drop out. Look around you! That statistics says that one-fourth of the people you started out with will not graduate.
I know that seems like a more common situation many of you have heard of but there are more statistics. According to the Core Institute at Southern Illinois University, 57 percent of students require six or more years to complete their degree. 31percent of college students missed a class due to substance abuse and 22 percent boomed an exam or essay. Those are just a couple of many.
We as college students have the rest of our lives ahead of us, and we can’t afford to allow some statistic to bring us down. Be smart and do the things that are necessary to succeed but notat the expense of others. Be a role model for your peers to respect and admire. But please, please don’t be a statistic!
Stedmond Ware is a junior majoring in biological sciences. He can be contacted at [email protected].