Appreciate moments where life becomes the antagonist in life story: Overcoming hurdles makes bitter taste sweeter
Sara McIntosh
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Viewpoints
Let me say that, although I credit the successes and failures as creations of my own hand, without the faculty in all of the classes I have taken (and there are plenty), I could not have had this dream realized; it would have been just another failure to write off to dissatisfaction. Many of the professors I encountered were honest, caring and open individuals who were more than just willing to teach you a few things while in the classroom; they took time out of their schedules to talk with me, serve as a mentor to me and share with me their own trials and tribulations of college life.
I have retaken classes with professors that failed me my first go around with college, and I can say that it is because of these professors that I developed an understanding of myself and an answer to some of the questions that were nagging me before: I am a person of character who willingly stands up when most people would remain seated. Michelle Merwin and Teresa Collard taught me this lesson, and I am forever indebted to these women for the drive to succeed and the esteem for me that was never there before.
There are so many professors who I could not have survived college without, and I would like to offer my gratitude for their patience, words of overflowing encouragement, moments where they became another hurdle to overcome, guidance, wisdom and above all their friendship. I know that sounds bizarre but I think that the professors I had in my collegiate life were more like friends than professors because of I believe they cared, which goes against every stereotype I ever heard about professors when I was in high school.
So, what is the point in this seemingly meaningless and reminiscent pity party? Without the hurdles around every turn and tripping me at every step, I would not have wanted this to ever be a dream, an aspiration realized. I learned through these two Bachelor Degrees and four years at UTM that I am the one person who can either sink this ship or send it off to the high seas of opportunity.
I have retaken classes with professors that failed me my first go around with college, and I can say that it is because of these professors that I developed an understanding of myself and an answer to some of the questions that were nagging me before: I am a person of character who willingly stands up when most people would remain seated. Michelle Merwin and Teresa Collard taught me this lesson, and I am forever indebted to these women for the drive to succeed and the esteem for me that was never there before.
There are so many professors who I could not have survived college without, and I would like to offer my gratitude for their patience, words of overflowing encouragement, moments where they became another hurdle to overcome, guidance, wisdom and above all their friendship. I know that sounds bizarre but I think that the professors I had in my collegiate life were more like friends than professors because of I believe they cared, which goes against every stereotype I ever heard about professors when I was in high school.
So, what is the point in this seemingly meaningless and reminiscent pity party? Without the hurdles around every turn and tripping me at every step, I would not have wanted this to ever be a dream, an aspiration realized. I learned through these two Bachelor Degrees and four years at UTM that I am the one person who can either sink this ship or send it off to the high seas of opportunity.
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