Assignment 4: “Changing Our Lives” Thesis Statement Adaliza Rodriguez ENG 090- Writing Fundamentals Charlotte Walker August 13, 2016 Think about this: a young innocent girl from a small neighborhood in Puerto Rico sitting at the dining table trying to work on her math homework. Her younger siblings are playing in the living room, as her mother is busy preparing dinner. Her father, because of irreconcilable differences, separated from the family and she is wondering if she will indeed manage to make it thru high school with all these emotional and psychological interference. That young girl is me. I did not make it pass high school. Thankfully, I managed to pass my GED when I moved to NJ with my aunt, and continue to pursue in further education. Acquiring a college degree is undoubtedly a significant step in an individual’s life that it now one of the core components of the American dream. Earn a degree, get a job, start a family and buy a house. Ordinarily, it is challenging but it begins with a college degree. Many first generation university and college students experience wide range of feelings, such as being the first child in their family to attain a college degree. I also want to experience the same feelings. I was overwhelmed with pride for being the first in my family to attend college, It’s a dream come true. Normally, those in possession of a college degree enjoy numerous opportunities. Thus, it is a significant accomplishment that I will one day also receive. Many students, particularly the first generation university or college students, encounter enormous challenges in finding the courage to face the college life. This is because of the changing lifestyle as well as the fear of adjusting to a new and different schedule. For me, college presented an opportunity to continue progressing in my career, and that motivated me. It is true that new students are normally worried about learning and understanding new technology and how it works. For this reason, I spent much of my time on the computer and learning how beneficial it is to take courses online when it is convenient for myself and family. Thus, I was able to pick up on the blackboard and follow along with the instructions, that proved to be helpful. College life provides students with an opportunity to build up their self confidence. Many use the opportunity to show pride in their academic success and build up their self esteem. College and university students are exposed to people from various backgrounds as well as expectations. An individual encounters some experiences that may make him or her feel socially, emotionally as well as physically uncomfortable. I used the new exposure to expand myself awareness and in understanding the world beyond student life. Before getting into work environment, it is better to earn a college or university degree to enhance financial, social and career g.