Every May, high schools pump out fresh new graduates into the real world. From this ritual stems the idea that one is ready for life after completing thirteen years of education.  Although I am not saying that these graduates are not ready to handle themselves in the real world, I must say that life after high school is not peaches and cream.  By attending a college prep high school, I knew OF the importance of obtaining a college degree, but I did not know HOW significant it would be. 

Before transferring out to San Diego State University (SDSU) I attended University of Guam (UOG).  I felt right at home and very comfortable. After two years at UOG, I decided that Guam did not offer what I was looking for.  UOG itself was great, but my overall college experience had not been fulfilled yet. 

Frankly, I was not going to find it on Guam either.  For me to really grow and to find myself, I had to leave the island and finish my education elsewhere. This has been a vital part of me in maturing into my own person.  Once I decided to leave, I had to find out where I was going.  The first step in attending school off island is to come to terms with the fact that you are leaving the island.  For many, it is a difficult task to tackle, but for others, it is quite simple.  It all depends on whether or not you are ready to accept the hardships of being away from home. 

Once I came to terms with myself, I had to decide which institution met my needs.  Grades came into play here.  Being a transfer student, I knew it would be harder to get into another University.   Finding a college can be one of the hardest things to do.  The location of where you wanted to attend school played a big role.  Overall student life and happiness are also major factors in ones collegiate success.  After looking over the programs that had my interest, I learned that SDSU was recognized nationwide.  Thus, I decided to do more research on that institution. 

This was an eye opening experience.  I requested for more additional information, and after carefully reviewing through the details of the program, such as average time of graduation, number of units required, and the rank of the school nation wide, I decided that this was the school for me.  I can tell you now that it is definitely a good thing to inquire from the institution of your choice regarding matters that are not included in the brochure.  So be thorough. 

As graduation day looms near, I am faced with many decisions.  By entering the recruiting process out here, I have learned one valuable lesson.  Grade Point Average (GPA) does make a difference.   Although many people have told me that it does not really matter, I see first hand that it does.  Without an overall good GPA, one tends to get over looked.  It is a competitive world out there, make your GPA count.  Although, I am still uncertain as to what I am going to do, I am certain that my education thus far has made me a much better person.  One big misconception is that one goes to college stricly to make more money in the future.   I myself had believed in that theory through the first two years of my college career.  That was the only reason I was in school.  However, I have learned that attending college goes far beyond that.  The learning experience behind it plays a great role in the person you have become.  From gaining credit, to learning how to take care of yourself when you are sick, it is a true learning experience.

In essence, it is the true beginning of your life, because it is here in college when you really get to find out who you are.  I never would have been able to find that if I had stayed  on Guam, or if I did not leave right after  high school. The truth of the matter is simply this.  By being out here, my eyes have been opened to so many bigger and brighter things. 

For example, when I was living on Guam, I was part of the majority, whereas out here, I am simply a brown person on the street.  Having felt both sides of the spectrum, I have learned that life is too short to worry about things like this.  I know who I am, and regardless of what the next person thinks, I will always be me. 

Going to college has not only prepared me for the career in which I am about to venture into, but it has given me an experience that I would not have gotten if I had elected not to attend.  By combining both of these learning experiences, both in the class room and in student life, I have become a complete person. Thus, I will always be grateful for having had this oppurtunity. They say high school is the time of your life, and truthfully it is. However,  college is what changes your life.  Remember,  life is what you make of it.  So take control of it when you have the chance. 

Much of what I have been through is the result of the support from my family.   Although I have had to take out loans and receive grants and some scholarships to aid in the expense of my education, none of this could have been done without my family.  But they are more than just financial support.  They pushed me to achieve my goals and dreams.  For this, I am dedicating my degree to them.  Although being away from them is probably the hardest thing I have ever faced in life, the reward that I will receive in the end is far worth it.  I come out not only an educated man, but also a person who is ready to succeed in whatever life throws my way.  As I sit here, I want to send out a warm thank you to my three sisters and my parents.  Again, they are the ones who made all this possible for me...... financially, but more so through providing me with their emotional and spiritual support. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Ben's Homepage

Email Address: Ben bguerrer@rohan.sdsu.edu