2 answers
Morgan
Student
Baltimore, Maryland
1
Question
Updated
387 views
why is it difficult for students who struggle academically to obtain opportunities or resources that'll help them further their education?
This question is for people whose academic performance was affected due to changes in their personal lives or they haven't always been the best at school but are passionate about furthering their education or going into a career that requires college education.this question brings awareness to those who struggle with this problem and need help looking for information that'll help them achieve this goal
2 answers
Steve Sterner
IT Management
55
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Morgan I applaud you for being vulnerable and at the same time confident enough to ask. I am a father of 3 and between myself, my wife and my kids we have 8 college degrees and what I will tell you is out of 5 people no journey is the same. There is no right or wrong way to do important things: life, school, family, etc. and all the people who you see that you think have it all together I guarantee you there are plenty of things you don't see, and those who make it look easy struggle, this is to say you are not alone in not having what you may think is the perfect resume, story, path to the future.
Education as well as most of life is an ever changing and not every administration is the same nor looks for the same thing. I watched my son who like me was very smart but also screwed off a lot in High School, got into some trouble and lets just say neither of us were college administrator's dream candidates. My path was decades ago but I went into a 2 year college got an associates degree in Business and while working changed my focus and got 2 more degrees in IT and have been fairly successful. My son got a lot of rejections but eventually turned his musical talents into an acceptance and later changed his major in Sophomore year to Political Science and not only was able to land a career in his field but has worked in organizations and campaigns that even he would tell you he did not think possible. at the same time I had a daughter who knew what she was going to be entered college went 4 years and got a job in her field, while my other daughter in 3 schools 2 countries (plus a Semester at Sea) always in Mathematics and Data but changed her major (Mathematics->Actuarial Science->Data Analytics) and now is very successful. This is a long way of saying there is no right way, if you want to go to school figure out what you want to explore and if you don't know yet explore a lot of things, find what makes you want to get up in the morning, talk to the administrators, if you are having trouble getting acceptance try a lot of schools, possibly a 2 year school, possibly a state school. There is no right or wrong way to write your story because it is your story.
Last piece of advice beware of anyone who gives you the easy formula, do this, don't do that, you should think this, don't think that. Life is not made up of easy answers, it is hard, it is confusing and we all struggle with it. Listen to those who have been there before and if there advice (including mine) resonates with you, makes sense, etc. look at how it relates and how you can use it, if it doesn't file it away because maybe one day it will make sense and maybe it's not just for you.
Go write your story, lean on those around you to help you along the way but remember that they all have struggles and scars and we often compare ourselves to the best part that we see much like you show the best parts of you. You should never feel you are less than you are, You are you and your journey is yours now go and make it great! (Whatever great looks like to you!)
Good Luck and God Bless, I wish you success happiness and fulfillment in whatever life brings you!
Education as well as most of life is an ever changing and not every administration is the same nor looks for the same thing. I watched my son who like me was very smart but also screwed off a lot in High School, got into some trouble and lets just say neither of us were college administrator's dream candidates. My path was decades ago but I went into a 2 year college got an associates degree in Business and while working changed my focus and got 2 more degrees in IT and have been fairly successful. My son got a lot of rejections but eventually turned his musical talents into an acceptance and later changed his major in Sophomore year to Political Science and not only was able to land a career in his field but has worked in organizations and campaigns that even he would tell you he did not think possible. at the same time I had a daughter who knew what she was going to be entered college went 4 years and got a job in her field, while my other daughter in 3 schools 2 countries (plus a Semester at Sea) always in Mathematics and Data but changed her major (Mathematics->Actuarial Science->Data Analytics) and now is very successful. This is a long way of saying there is no right way, if you want to go to school figure out what you want to explore and if you don't know yet explore a lot of things, find what makes you want to get up in the morning, talk to the administrators, if you are having trouble getting acceptance try a lot of schools, possibly a 2 year school, possibly a state school. There is no right or wrong way to write your story because it is your story.
Last piece of advice beware of anyone who gives you the easy formula, do this, don't do that, you should think this, don't think that. Life is not made up of easy answers, it is hard, it is confusing and we all struggle with it. Listen to those who have been there before and if there advice (including mine) resonates with you, makes sense, etc. look at how it relates and how you can use it, if it doesn't file it away because maybe one day it will make sense and maybe it's not just for you.
Go write your story, lean on those around you to help you along the way but remember that they all have struggles and scars and we often compare ourselves to the best part that we see much like you show the best parts of you. You should never feel you are less than you are, You are you and your journey is yours now go and make it great! (Whatever great looks like to you!)
Good Luck and God Bless, I wish you success happiness and fulfillment in whatever life brings you!
Prema Sequeira
Engineering Manager
27
Answers
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Prema’s Answer
Hi Morgan,
This is a tough one. Tough, because the reason they are probably not doing well academically is because they are consumed with other issues affecting them and don't have the bandwidth or ability or time to do anything outside of bare minimum. And that gives them less opportunities to get more. And now their academic success is also working against them It is a reality for a lot of kids.
So rather than focusing on the why, I like that you asked for the information that will help them achieve this goal.
1) I think the hardest thing to do is recognizing there is an issue and do something about it. More often than not, we get more demoralized as things begin to stack against us but being aware is a very good first step.
2) Next would be to actually take the time to then think about what needs to change. There are things that cannot be changed. Maybe, life at home is tough, financially not doing well, or just going through a personal crisis or whatever else I have not mentioned here. But taking these examples, the idea is to understand that I can ruminate and worry about things I cannot control but I can also use that time to study, find resources that will help etc. Without knowing the context, I am going to give some suggestions, meet people whether it be the teachers at school, friends you can talk to. You would be surprised at how good of a resource a friend can be both for information and as someone one told me just listening to what they are doing without talking about yourself can triggers ideas, counselors, people you know whether family or friends who can suggest or provide you with the resources you need. This does require being comfortable talking and I would encourage all younger people to learn that if it does not come naturally.
3) Also, colleges do look at personal situations when you apply. Your personal essay is a good time to talk about yourself. Asking for specific support such as financial scholarships, sports scholarships etc give insights to colleges when they admit students. If you have a story to tell, talk about it. I do know someone who had to speak about their challenges and even though they didn't have a great GPA got into a very good college.
4) I would also encourage making use of resources at school like after school tutoring.
5) And lastly, I was not the greatest academically, but I did well overall in my overall education (I did my masters), career (senior manager) and life. Persistence and hard work are key.
You got this! Good Luck!
PS: Feel free to ask more questions if you have any. I tried my best to answer this in the context I understood it in.
This is a tough one. Tough, because the reason they are probably not doing well academically is because they are consumed with other issues affecting them and don't have the bandwidth or ability or time to do anything outside of bare minimum. And that gives them less opportunities to get more. And now their academic success is also working against them It is a reality for a lot of kids.
So rather than focusing on the why, I like that you asked for the information that will help them achieve this goal.
1) I think the hardest thing to do is recognizing there is an issue and do something about it. More often than not, we get more demoralized as things begin to stack against us but being aware is a very good first step.
2) Next would be to actually take the time to then think about what needs to change. There are things that cannot be changed. Maybe, life at home is tough, financially not doing well, or just going through a personal crisis or whatever else I have not mentioned here. But taking these examples, the idea is to understand that I can ruminate and worry about things I cannot control but I can also use that time to study, find resources that will help etc. Without knowing the context, I am going to give some suggestions, meet people whether it be the teachers at school, friends you can talk to. You would be surprised at how good of a resource a friend can be both for information and as someone one told me just listening to what they are doing without talking about yourself can triggers ideas, counselors, people you know whether family or friends who can suggest or provide you with the resources you need. This does require being comfortable talking and I would encourage all younger people to learn that if it does not come naturally.
3) Also, colleges do look at personal situations when you apply. Your personal essay is a good time to talk about yourself. Asking for specific support such as financial scholarships, sports scholarships etc give insights to colleges when they admit students. If you have a story to tell, talk about it. I do know someone who had to speak about their challenges and even though they didn't have a great GPA got into a very good college.
4) I would also encourage making use of resources at school like after school tutoring.
5) And lastly, I was not the greatest academically, but I did well overall in my overall education (I did my masters), career (senior manager) and life. Persistence and hard work are key.
You got this! Good Luck!
PS: Feel free to ask more questions if you have any. I tried my best to answer this in the context I understood it in.
Delete Comment
Flag Comment