Kemar English Comp II

“I can’t tell you what I learned from school but…time isn’t wasted when you’re getting wasted.” Graduating from high school was an exciting time in my life. I was ready to move on to a higher level of education, notorious for its more carefree and energetic environment and lifestyle. The fall semester of my freshman year in college, I attended St. John’s University. Caught up in the freedom and excitement of college, I did more hanging out, partying, and sleeping than I did attending class or studying. I was enjoying myself to the fullest, whether it was meeting new people or partaking in new activities. It was until the end of the semester, that I realized that I was failing or had failed majority of my classes. It hadn’t occurred to me then, how dire the consequences of my actions would be. In fact, this experience greatly altered my outlook on life. Besides the fact that I allowed myself to be a failure, I had disappointed much of my family in the process. I knew that I wanted to be successful and that from then on, no matter what, I had to work hard to achieve my goals. My experience at St. John’s has also taught me that I need to learn how to create a balance in my life. There should be a time to relax and hang out, but also a time to concentrate on school. School at times will be far from easy, but I have learned never to give up and always try to aim for the best. I know now that I have a responsibility to myself to do well. I cannot take my education for granted anymore. Knowledge is the key to success. The disappointment I caused my family can be directly related to the film Atonement. In the film, Briony, a main character, only fully understood the magnitude of accusing Ronnie of raping Lola years after the incident occurred.