So, I’m writing this before bed, as I study for yet another midterm. Nothing special, all of us do it. Before I start, I just want to say that I kicked ass in Fantasy today. Julio Jones with 300 yards! The dude got me 36 points! (I just read the rest of the blog and I noticed my tone changed as I wrote more. I guess that writing this just made me feel more appreciative. Anyway, enjoy your day, or night, or whenever it is that you read this. If you do.)
So, I grew up kind of different from my friends. My parents are both immigrants and have a certain way of doing things. What makes me different (a special snowflake, right?) is that I have two older brothers. They are way older. I am 21, the middle one is 35, and the oldest is 40. My parents were young when they raised my brothers, more carefree. My brothers got into trouble here and there, and my parents dealt with it. Then I came along. I guess my parents wanted me to be different. They raised me so strictly that I almost had no social life growing up. I was very limited in what I could do and who I could hang out with. My parents always pushed for me to succeed academically. They wanted me to know English so well that here I am, at the old age of 21, speaking very broken Spanish.
What I am trying to say is that my parents have always wanted me to do well, at any cost. When I started college I knew I would be in for a bigger workload than high school. My parents knew that too. They don’t mind when I’m locked in my room all day, studying or finishing projects and blog posts. They have given me everything I need to be part of an academic discourse. They made the transition easy. There are no hard feelings when I eat dinner in my room, watching online lectures or when I come home at 12 after a late night study group.
Having so much to do can be hard sometimes, and I get lost in keeping track of things. I knew that going to college wasn’t going to be a breeze, but it is not something I see as eating into family time. It’s all about finding the right balance. If anything, I have learned how to act in a more professional manner, depending on who I am interacting with. I haven’t changed much in the transition to college. I think my parents just see me as more mature.
My parents do not see me pursuing my academics as something that is interfering with family time. Instead it is something they expect, and are rather proud of. I am the first in the family to attend a four-year university and they find joy in that. They know we are considered to be on the poor-end in terms of income, but they will never hesitate to support me in my academic endeavours.
And I thank them for that.
(I kept this short and sweet, just because it feels right.)
I never really understood the concept of fantasy football, but im happy for you that you got 36 points from Jones. lol
ReplyDeleteMy parents are the exact same way with me about wanting me to do well because of my older sister. I look at it as a positive thing because I've accomplished so much academically, it's a rewarding feeling.
I was really moved by your blog because I can relate to most of it. It made me think about my parents and my life and it gave me a warm feeling inside. Super saappyy lol.
Your parents understand what that college student life does to a person and it is very i dont know what the word is, my brain isn't really functioning right now but its a positive word. Sorry.
You sound like you got this college stuff all figured out and i hope that great things come your way!
Brenda
Hi Anthony! I loved reading your blog post. I cannot help but agree with you about strict parents oh my god. I grew up with a single mom. In high school I NEVER went out to the after parties after prom, or anywhere with my friends unless she was there. It was a complete change from going to a strict setting to having a lot of freedom in high school. I am also the first person in my immediate family to go to a four-year university.
ReplyDeleteHaving a lot of things on your hands can be really frustrating. I can tell you from a personal level that I am a HUGE procrastinator and I have so many breakdowns from school. My parents actually like seeing me being frustrated of school (kind of weird) because they know that I am working hard and trying to meet the dealings that I have been given. I also agree with you when you say that your family doesn't see your academics get in the way of family time. I am super close to my family also and having academic come first before family is kind of a challenge for me. Good Job!!
-Vanessa Lim
Another great post--yes, there is a cost to college and to academic success in general. You identified it early. Your parents wanted you to speak English well, and now you have "broken Spanish." How do you feel about that cost? EF
ReplyDelete