I was so excited when I got my first acceptance.

 

Eager to start college but I didn't know what it meant then.

 

But as time flew by and I walked across that stage. 

 

Diploma and smile in hand I knew my mind was made

 

Up to the point where "College? Nah I didn't visit."

 

But when I said I was going I felt it and I meant it.

 

The last outta momma's 3 kids but the first,

 

to make it through high school and give momma some self worth.

 

But when college started and I went to my classes. Coming home late and hanging out was a habit.

Finals came and it was hard to manage.

 

Breakdown and cry is what I did because Failing?? Nah momma wasn't having it.

 

An "A" two "B's" and three "C's" yea I did ok.

 

But my GPA dropped so my scholarship got taken away.

 

Spring semester came and I said " Damn I gotta do better." 

 

Failed one class then a summer one too "Man something's gotta let up."

 

But I'll take these things with a grain of salt. 

 

Because all upward battles are won through default.

 

Because I'm trying and fighting to make it out alive.

 

To not get killed by a cop or the hood so higher up I gotta strive.

 

Since I have no loans, and no debts.

 

Long talks, and slow breaths.

 

No signs but all stress.

 

My tongue lives, and these words are death. 

 

Hard work and all commitment.

 

Rainy days when the sun is missing, to thank God above cause years from now I'll be reminisicing.

 

How I had one year down and all to go.

 

Exeprience to gain and opportunities to flow.

 

Money wasted and time spent. Those long nights when I was hell bent 

 

between dropping out and letting go.

 

Giving up on myself, all this knowledge and nothing to show.

 

I'm struggling to make it through college.

 

These roadblocks and excuses gotta get demolished.

 

I gotta work full time and go to school at night.

 

Spend my weekends and weekdays studying, struggling to keep my degree in sight.

 

See high school didn't tell me I would lose my way. 

 

That I would fail some classes and fall short to pay.

 

But I'm paving my way no matter the expense.

 

Cause my career goals and dreams, they gotta commense.

 

All this hard work and dedication I know it gotta make sense.

 

I'm not busting my ass trying to keep up this pretense.

 

With all the pressure of beign a straight "A" student with a bright future is too immense.

 

So something's gotta give and I gotta comprehend. 

 

But you don't give up and that's something that I wont do.

 

Cause college is what you make of it and the bet is all on you.

 

You always win and never lose.

 

You either win or you learn, everything you're going through is all that you earned.

 

College aint easy, but it's worth it. 

 

It shows your true strengths, weaknesses, and where your worth is.

 

You gotta be organized and headstrong, with thick skin.

 

When life knocks you down, get back up and fight again.

 

You never lose and always win,

 

But college is an awesome choice and you just can't give in.

-Kiara Alexis