If you had told this 26-year-old student that he would be earning his associate degree, he would not believe you.
It wasn’t my intention to go back to school. Fearing the unknown of the future not only took a toll on me but it motivated me to go back to school. All of the trials and tribulations that I have gone through these past 4 years at Houston City College have shaped and prepped me into the student/adult that I have become. I never thought I would be walking on the stage to receive my associate’s degree but here we are.
It is May 2018. I am graduating from high school with no plans for the future. At first, I wanted a career in the field of my dreams–theater. But most of the time dreams are just dreams and it is time for a reality call. After high school, I gained a career in which it made me financially stable but overall, I knew that it wasn’t my long-term job. Most jobs that have benefits and a stable paycheck require a degree.
Having that in mind, I also had family members who kept pushing me to go back to school. I caved in and applied to Houston City College. I applied with no degree plan but with the intention to prove to my family that I can accomplish something that they didn’t expect me to do.
I started my HCC journey in August of 2022. At the time, I applied through financial aid as a self-applicant. Because of that decision I could only afford 2 classes per semester. From there, I knew that I was in it for the long ride. It felt like an “never ending story” throughout each semester. Working through two different jobs while going through school not only taught me how to be independent but also discipline within myself. Throughout my journey there were a lot of moments that made me want to give up.
When I took the decision to take a 4-year gap, people told me that I would lose my way or not feel motivated. I let them believe they were right. It was honestly a TikTok that changed my mindset. It quoted “You shouldn’t let someone shame you for going back to school, no matter what age you are.” I opened the comment section expecting backlash, but it was the complete opposite.
Everyone was encouraging each other and giving them motivation to keep going. From reading all the comments, it kept me going. And now on May 8th, 2025, I will be walking down the stage to receive my diploma. Everyone has a different path to school. But what I want to be recognized for is that I am a prime example of it is never too late to go back to school. People should live their life based on what they want to do–not what other people expect them to do.
