College stepping stone for life, career

College for many is an experience that alters the perception of life. For some, college may simply be the process taken to get to the next level of their careers. Although it should be both, young people entering the world of responsibility, academics, and partying often cross-different paths. For me, it began as a path that was somewhat undetermined, but very optimistic. However, as I said, one never knows what his or her destination after college life will be. Upon entering school, I had the notion that college would be, play ball and study when I want to so that I can get by. As many people learn though, ball doesn’t last always and that’s when your intellect has to take over. Possessing a gift can be beneficial yet also detrimental if not used properly. As Jigga says, the gift can become the curse or vice versa. If you don’t truly perfect your gift and use it to its full potential, then it becomes a hindrance more than a benefit. I felt compelled to balance the two, the talent and the affliction. The true test in college comes when life is knocking at your door and you believe you have no reason to let it in. Many of us envision universities as a social warehouse where we may locate all of our wants and satisfy some needs. That warehouse sometimes embraces parties, hook-ups, men/women, the bare necessities, and whatever else that looms in the unknown. It’s no secret that we all have tried something new and kept some old habits that are becoming stale.Some individuals never comprehend the point that once school is over there is “un grande mundo” (large world) with all the tribulations of your smallish warehouse mentality. Then there are the students that enter to systematize themselves in the proper academic laboratory. Their hours for study, research, and work never cease. Somehow it’s easy for them to breeze through like slick grease. I believe there is another cast of misunderstood knowledge bearers out there that have a unique mixture of both the qualities of the social warehouse scavengers and those of the tireless lab technicians, but already carry the scars of a war weathered soldier. The people that everyone says, “yo, he’s crazy,” and “she’s a hood-rat.” The one who receives strange looks, because he walks a little different from the rest; with his head up. Then that one is “arrogant, mean, and defensive.” The one that has physically fought his soul and lost a couple of times, but remains poised for whatever situation might seek him or her out. The one’s that carry the load of all their family, hoods, and put their personal aspirations at risk. I know this breed all to well. I know what type of circumstance can cause some people to quit and others to generate a strength and desire inside that’s a little different than that of the full-blossomed scholar. I refuse to believe that at this stage everyone has experienced the curses of this breed. I refuse to believe that everyone could navigate through situations (with the help of a small circle) like this breed. This breed gets labeled when really, people don’t know the half. They get in trouble, but only because it’s left to their instincts in crucial situations. No, I’m not pro-thug. But for some, it’s the mixture of aggression and passion that sustain them through life and swindle (what others believe it to be) their way through school. Please understand that I have nothing against the valedictorians or magna cum laud’s, but I love the one’s that aren’t supposed to make. The “outcast.” The “quitters.” Everything that everybody else says, but doesn’t have a clue about whom that person is. Like it or not, I been that. I been all three as a matter of fact. But the only place I really felt comfortable was on the outside peering into the college campus as if I was miles away.College has shown me many things though. Lessons that I will never forget. Sure I’ve learned my chosen crafts a little better, but some of that was part of the gift to begin with. Respected persons just showed me how to bring the gift from its raw state to a more polished form. School can change you for the best, regardless of what it takes to get through. You gotta know that the gift is already there. It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to parlay in the warehouse or transform yourself into a personal academic lab. If you choose the first extensively, you may not have cared much about school initially. The second option is difficult, but pays some dividends, probably better benefits in today’s economy. Then the other breed, yo, you just get through trying to be the best possible person you can, learn as much as possible, and work hard to turn them scars into beauty marks (ha, ha). Bend a little, but don’t break. Cry some, but laugh and chill more. And most importantly, don’t let anyone’s label affect your mission and who you are. So what, if it doesn’t always look like what it is, make sure they understand that that’s how it is and you can’t change it.Regardless of which role you played, we’ll all need each other later. It’s called LIFE.