During my senior year of high school, I applied to four-year universities, and I got accepted to some, but I still decided to go to a community college first to explore what I truly want to do in the future, and save money at the same time. In high school, there were students saying negative things about community college, and I also doubted whether I made the right decision or not. But it turned out to be way better than I expected. Many of the school faculties at Berkeley City College were transfer students at UC Berkeley, and I could ask them questions on transfer admissions. There are also students who decided to attend a two-year college, even though they got accepted to other four-year universities, like Cal and UC Davis. My first semester completely changed my perspective on community college, and I have met so many amazing people who gave me advice on life and on college.
I am currently a student ambassador who helps students solve their problems, and I also conduct college tours and do outreach events in high schools. I am also one of the financial aid assistants who helps students with their FAFSA and answer questions about their financial aid.
Even though I’m doing great at Berkeley City College, I still decided to take a gap year to recharge myself and at the same have more time to explore myself as well as finish things that I haven’t had a chance to do when I was in high school. There is a lot of things I want to accomplish in one year, but the one major thing that I want to do is become a self-expert. It may sounds foolish, but what I meant by that is I want to know more about myself, so I will be able to know what I want in my life. I don’t want to lead myself to an unhappy life, so this is why I want to find my direction in life. However, I do know that I want to become an entrepreneur and a philanthropist in the future. Before that, I believe the only way to help and inspire other people is to help yourself first. If you do not know your inner self, and your potential, then you would not be able to influence other people’s lives for the better. Therefore, I believe that taking a gap year will definitely help me know better about myself, and find my direction in life. This way I will be able to do my best, when I’m back to college.
