Climbing

I’m almost done with school. This’ll be my last semester… unless I eventually decide to get a PhD (but I’ll worry about that later). The point is that my educational goal, the one I made what feels like a lifetime ago, the one to get a Master of Arts degree in English, the goal that will allow me to teach in the community which I love, is almost complete. Done. And it feels great.

As I look back at the years I have spent in school, I can remember the many times I questioned what I was doing, whether this was really all worth the trouble or if I could even do this. There have been so many mountains to climb along the way, so many challenges. Whether it was spending the precious resources of time and energy, dealing with problems with family, with finances, or various jobs, there have been innumerable times where I wondered if I could even do it.

Now, this isn’t supposed to be long “good job to me” because I know I’m not alone. I know that there are so many students who are right now standing in the same position I was a few years ago, and I know it’s not a fun place to be. I don’t think I’d have made it without the support and encouragement I had from many places, so if you’re in this place right now, know that I’m cheering on every step forward that you make. But I also want to share with you the perspective of someone who’s farther along: it’s worth it. Keep pushing. Because even though it seems like the more you climb the more mountain there is, remember that it’s important to turn around sometimes to see how high you’ve made it.

Even though I may be close to finishing my formal education, one thing I’m certain of is this: I’m far from done learning. There will always be more climbing, but the more I climb the better the view is when I turn around and thank everyone for helping me get there.

By David Hardison, CSU Fresno Student, FCC WRC Tutor