I Did it!

Holycow! Mom, Dad, I did it! I'm going to college. Can you believe it? I neverthought it could happen.Through middle school and part of high school, Istruggled to keep up. I was not a bad student, I just didn't understand what theywere teaching because I have a learning disability. I wanted to show everyone Icould graduate and go to college. I wanted to make something of myself, and proveI wasn't a failure.When the time came to choose a college, I wasn't surewhat would be best for me. I knew I didn't want to go to a big school, so thathelped narrow my choices to a small college in a warm climate that could besensitive to my learning disability. I looked in Florida and came up with threeschools. I visited two, but they just didn't fit. Then I visited Beacon Collegein Leesburg, Florida. Beacon focuses on students who have learning disabilitiesand has small classes. It definitely appealed to me!The day I wasaccepted to Beacon College was the happiest of my life. I received the call from the admissions counselor telling me I was accepted just as I was sitting down todinner. My family was so excited, and I was ready to pack that night and move toFlorida. The anticipation of going to college lasted the rest of my senior year.The closer the time came, though, the more nervous I became about beingin a new place. Finally my parents and I packed the car and headed for Florida.After a two-day drive, we arrived. "Welcome to Beacon College! It isso nice to see you again!" I heard over and over from the faculty andstudents, as we were introduced. It was so comforting to hear those cheerfulvoices. I knew I had found a school that was a perfect fit. I had found my homefor the next four years. As I moved into my apartment, I was excitedto meet my roommates. What would they be like? Would we get along? Would I belonely? As my parents helped me unpack and I began to settle in, I felt a bitsad. I knew I wasn't a little girl anymore and that I wouldn't have my parentsright there when I didn't understand something. I knew they were just a phonecall away, but I would still miss them terribly.Classes started and thepressure was on. I was anxious about what I would be learning and if I couldmanage the course load. Some students said the teachers were hard and mean, whichworried me. I realized pretty quickly that they were just teasing because I wasfresh out of high school. As time passed, I got used to the work and adapted tothe small town. I realized there wasn't much to do, which made it important tohave friends. I whizzed through my first semester at Beacon with flyingcolors. I didn't let my learning disability hold me back, and my GPA was a 3.9.My fear of failing dissolved with the support of my fellow students andprofessors. When I visited my high school, my old teachers were so pleased tohear of my success at college; they remembered how insecure and shy I was.I'm not as shy anymore; if I don't understand something, I'm not afraidto ask for help. The fac ulty at Beacon College is more than willing to help me,and I am grateful I found a college that turned out to be a perfect fit.