When I was in 8th grade, my teacher told me that I’d never go to college, but that wasn’t the worst part. He also told my mom that I’d never go to college. To be honest, I know why he thought that. I was not a model student. I grew up poor. My dad was not around, and my mom did the best she could. I was also a terrible student. Because I had a learning disability, school was difficult, and I didn’t want to be a better student. I was also sick a lot, and I missed school all the time. So it makes sense that he would say something like that. The problem wasn’t that he told me I’d never go to college—the problem was that I believed him. I believed him so much that I blew off everything. And I failed everything . . . from the time I was in 8th grade until I was a senior in high school.
It wasn’t until I was a senior that I had a different teacher who said, “You’re actually a pretty bright kid. I see a lot of potential in you, and I’d like to see you go to college.”
And I laughed at her.
I told her that there was no way I could go to college. I didn’t think that any college would accept me. My grades were terrible! “Maybe,” she said, “but I’d like to see you try. I want you to write colleges and tell them your story. Tell them that you’ve had a hard life. Tell them that you’re sorry for not working harder. Tell them that you’d like them to give you a chance.”
So I did. I wrote several colleges and told them my story. In all honestly, most of them did not accept me, but a few actually did! They basically said that they would give me one shot, and if I messed up even once, I was out.
So I went to college.
The embarrassing truth is that I graduated high school with barely a C average, but my first semester of college, I got a 4.0. I somehow turned things around, and I think it’s because I finally met someone who believed in me.
I hope anyone who hears my story knows that there is someone who believes in you—and if you haven’t met them yet, you will! I hope you also know that if you have messed up a lot, you can turn it around—because everyone deserves a second chance.
Thank you for sharing this. Your story is such a great reminder of both the power of words and the power of our own choice. You could have chosen to believe the first teacher for your whole life but you didn’t! Thank you for inspiring all of us about the power to choose what and especially who we believe. I needed to hear that today!
It's so important to be nice to others and encourage them to do the things in life that matter to them. Words can be used to help or hurt others and the world already has enough hate, just being nice to others can make such a huge difference in someones life. Thanks for sharing!
What an inspiring story! I'm so glad you ended up turning things around, giving yourself a better future. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, words are so powerful! They can tear you down or lift you up. I am so glad that your 8th grade teacher did not stop you from going to college. You are courageous, bright and give me so much hope!
I'm so glad you decided to go to college, despite what your first teacher said. Thanks for sharing.