Journey through college (Part 2)

I was looking at pictures of my life as an infant and up until now when I am getting ready and prepared for a very momentous occasion my graduation from college. It has been such a journey that I can't even keep up with it sometimes myself. A lot to digest and take into account from preschool to college. It's so funny that I have grown up wanting to become the very thing I have watched on television most of my life an entertainment reporter, or a music reporter. This journey has had so many challenges I can't even describe to you what it has been like at times to pull your own self out of bed to make sure you get there to your classes. I now have completed all my assignments. Now my plan is to get the career I have always wanted. I loved college I had a great time. I was fortunate to stay home. Now, mind you I got accepted to Hampton University but due to the recession I was unable to attend. Now looking back at every single step I took in Hunter College I will tell you this. I am going to be completely frank and honest with you about this. They made me work at this. They challenged me at everything lol and everything in deed. From coming to Hunter with transferring 59 credits from Bergen Community College. Two of my credits were not accepted but it's okay. Next was taking the CUNY Proficiency Exam. It was a challenge in itself. I never worked so hard for an exam like this. Probably not since high school for the SATs or PSATs. It's been a challenge in itself. I remember preparing for it when I was younger back then. However, nothing like that the last exam I took would be a challenge in itself. I am glad that I had tutors to prepare me throughout my semesters and got me ready for the battle. There were times I felt like my heart was not in it completely all the way. I felt as if some other obstacle or challenge would prevent me from getting what I wanted. The only obstacle with this exam was that in order to pass it you must put your whole heart, yourself, and your time to make it through. As I think about sacrificing summers, sacrificing vacation time, sacrificing traveling from New Jersey to New York on the train to be there. That was a sacrifice within itself. I can tell you for a long time I felt like the underdog. I felt the person who was never going to make it and even be able to get this far. I had some nay sayers in my path or "haters" who tried to break my spirit and the dreams I have in my heart. I remember once on a key chain I purchased it said Chloe: "One who wishes for the best peace is the meaning of my life's request". I believe that is true I need peace and stability but I have learned that in order to find that peace and middle ground you need to battle the storms first before the silence comes. I battled my mini storms and I feel that each one prepared me for the challenges I will have to face as an adult. I think that when it comes to this college graduation to me I am really emotional about it cause people don't know what I went through at times. Especially when sometimes I thought of giving up and almost leaving my school for another college. I am very much serious about that. I had a support system to make me stable and to keep me grounded on what I was going through in college.My final classes I believe were the ones the challenged me mentally to show what I was capable of actually. So many people who know me, who love me, who care for me, and who have been supporters know it was not easy for me at all. It was a huge challenge but I know that I can say I accomplished the biggest goal of them all for 2010 my college graduation from Hunter College in New York,NY. I will be graduating this summer from Hunter and I can tell you this Thank you to the professors, the faculty, and the staff who gave me all that was needed to be the individual I have become.
Chloe Jewel Riccardo