PART 1: Apathy

     Throughout my elementary and high school academic career I was never an over achiever.  In fact, it would be fair to say that I didn't care about school aside from the social and extra curricular aspects of it.  I was by no means a failing student; however, I had the "C's get degrees" mentality.  This all changed my senior year of high school.

     I was always under impression that I would attend a junior college then move onto a university.  Therefore, I didn't trouble myself with taking all of the courses that university's required for acceptance, a good grade point average or studying for the SAT test.  Thus, you can imagine my reaction when my soon to be step father approached me and said "It's time to apply for college!"  I couldn't help but laugh because I knew my chances of getting into a university were slim.

     Despite my apathy toward school, I have always been an obedient child.  Therefore I took the time to look at colleges and I agreed to apply to two in state schools and one out of state school.  In addition, I worked with a tutor to rapidly prepare myself fro the SAT test.  My results were as expected.  My SAT score was not very high due to the fact I have never been accepted to any of the schools I applied to.  This news didn't break my heart because I like so many high school students had a boyfriend I didn't want to leave behind.  Therefore I pursued my original plan of junior college.

     Shortly after applying for an English 101 summer course at MCC, I received a very surprising letter in the mail.  An acceptance letter from NAU would force me to make a decision about my future.  Of course my parents were excited when I told them the news, however I was not.  In fact, I was so upset I said "I'm not going." (A fast I failed to mention before, was that the previous Christmas my soon to be step father offered me a full ride to any school I got into.)  Therefore you can imagine how upset my mom was to hear me say I didn't want to go and how disappointed my step father was.  However, they weren't going to let me get away that easily.  My mom and step father decided to five me an ultimatum.

     This ultimatum didn't seem like a difficult decision to many, but for a narrow minded, selfish teenager with a boyfriend, it seemed like the end of the world.  The choices were to attend NAU, not have to work and have everything paid for OR a $500 check, move out and figure is out on my own.  A little rash perhaps, but extreme measures need to be taken with teenagers.  After a week of deliberation, I agreed to go.

PART 2:  Graduating College

     After shedding some light on a bit of my personal history I am not that proud of, I would like to redeem myself by sharing how much I grew throughout my college career.  Several friends and family members asked what it was that for my so diligently on the right track.  The thing is, I didn't just graduate from college, I graduated a semester early, had made the dean's list several times and my overall GPA was a 3.6.  Now you know why they asked.

     The thing that I accredit my success to was a contract that I had to abide by in order to receive my step father's gift.  The terms of my contract were as follows:

          1.   Maintain a 3.0 GPA each semester.

          2.   Attend the same university all 4 years.

          3.   Live in a dorm for 2 years.

There were only three rules to live by, however, it was the fact that my success or failure was totally in my hands that made me realize I needed to step up to the plate.

     Although that contract was the overarching factor that contributed to my success, the fact that all of my academic choices were solely up to me also helped.  What I mean to say is that many parents who only want the best for their children often hover over every choice they make.  For instance, what major to study, what classes to take and when and always asking if they are studying enough.  These are pressures that students don't need.  College is stressful enough without trying to appease parental demands.  After all, isn't college about figuring out who you are and becoming an independent thinker and person?

     I found myself at college because I was given the opportunity to through a contract.  While being toasted at my graduation party by my mom, she informed everyone about the terms of my contract.  I thanked my step father for providing me with the opportunity and proudly said "I did it and then some"

Brianna Pastore

*I graduated December 12, 2008 and received a job offer February 3, 2009*