Getting up to this point in my academic career at San Diego State wasn't just a straight forward process that most students begin right after high school, but instead that of the struggles of having been denied and eventually being accepted to the place I was suppose to be "guaranteed to enter".

During my senior of high school much of my attention was set accomplishing my goal of enrolling into San Diego State right after high school. I really believed this achievable considering the fact that I was in Compact For Success. As most of us may remember Compact for Success is said to guarantee admission to SDSU if you are able to fulfill their requirements. Even though I was able to fulfill said requirements when the time came in March the results were unexpected. Denied and sadden of what had happen my academic life would then have to continue on starting at community more specifically SouthWestern College. 

Although not what was expected, I found that going to community college wasn't a waste of time but instead a stepping to further achieve my goal of enrolling into SDSU. During my stay at SouthWestern College I had to give up much of what I was most know for. My main priority was education I made it clear to my family and friends (especially those that did go to a university) that I will not falter or refrain myself for what I have worked so hard for. So say if there was event that everyone was going but it was a school night, I would reluctantly had to decline and stayed home studying. As Ann Johns mentions in a section of her article called "The Cost of Affiliation" students have to make considerable sacrifices if they wish to succeed in school. Many of my colleagues chose a different path to follow as result of not achieving such commitment. As for myself, though it took four years of taking classes, going through some hardships, and being denied by universities three times. I was finally able transfer into San Diego State University. 

Being the first member of my family to enroll into a university and coming from a Hispanic background was a great achievement. However, that still doesn't mean that struggles are far from 

over.  

Managing to go to school, going to work, and being a older brother and now uncle will be my new challenge. So far I seem to be doing a good job of achieving such things like taking my little sister to school every morning, helping kids with school (I work at a YMCA), and learning how to take care a newborn while their parents are not around. My academics are of course my main priority for not only did I wish to be the first in family to go to college but also the first to graduate from it. 

When you gain something your are bound to lose something else in return. And how we decide is dependent on our priorities. 

Though more of a short autobiography than our normal blogs, I hope you enjoyed this reading.