College Difficulties

• What issues do you face that make thriving in college difficult for you? What strategies do you have for dealing these issues?

I am an adult learner who return to school after 10 years working in  China, I face many difficulties in American, which is a new cultural country for me, I face many challenges from family, society, personal, etc. Here I am going to talk about two----culture difference and personal issue.

Culture Differences

Problem: The United States is often called a melting pot, mixing people from cultures all around the world. Still, American culture is distinctive, and it is different from my own in some area, we think or do something in different way. So, sometimes, I might misunderstand what the other says or understand it in other way.

Solution: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Try your best to learn American culture and adjust yourself to adapt to the new culture and environment. English is my second language, I meant I am not good at speaking and listening in English. In class, to make sure I got the main points of what the teacher said, I would like to ask my classmate orally or in witting when it is needed. When I do homework at home, I might share the significance to my family or friends so they can understand what I am going through and got some support from them.

Personal Issues

 Problem:  With heightened levels of stress and lack of sleep, health problems can occur. I am an immigrant, I usually need to spend double time to do my homework because I don’t trust myself and I want to get good grade; in addition, I have to take care of my family, my son is young and so sticky to me. Most of time, I can’t have enough sleep , I might dream about my homework all whole night, therefore, I feel tired, sleepy ,headache or sick in the following day.

Solution:  I make schedule for my study and work.  I usually do my home when my son is at school or at late night after my son goes to sleep. And the next day, when I feel really tired or headache, I will take a nap, it works. Sometimes I might go walking in a park for relaxing or I might chat with friends for getting spiritual support and inspiration. I have an eternal heart, I always talk to myself: I can’t give up getting education.

Passion and Privilege

What is the relationship between passion and privilege? 

Passion is a strong feeling in doing something that someone 

loves to do and make him happy. I believe most people have 

the passion, but some people don’t purse it , when someone 

loves what he does, his or her passion for it comes through. 

Passion is a privilege- your opportunity, you should have tried to 

take a risk for pursuing your passion ,you should let your 

passion step forward, and you have this privilege and responsibility

 to do great things with it. I agree what Ray says in The Passion 

Project “In order to love life you have to find your passion; you 

have to find what truly makes you happy and when you find 

what truly makes you happy you gotta chase after it; you gotta 

take those risks.” You have the privilege to do what you love, to 

follow your passion.

   Passion may rule a person's heart, but there are barriers 

that keep someone from living their passion. Family and society

may keep someone from their passion, resulting in the loss

 of their privilege and option to do whatever they desire. 

With passion comes, privilege and responsibility. It may be what 

someone loves to do, but if it goes against society or family, 

then that person has to choose between his or her desire or their 

desire to fit in society.

The Passion Project

 The Passion Project  movie

The Passion Project from Sean McFarland on Vimeo.

How does this movie speak to you?

Passion is"a desire to do, or accomplish, or feel love without...without any barrier" " something that drives, that excites you, makes you feel good."

From the movie, I got the concept about "passion" again, passion

is something you love to do and make you happy; and I also 

realize why people need to have passions--- because even a 

little passion can lead to success if you maintain your passion

 and passion can provide you the power to see opportunities. 

Many successful people's stories have proved this theory. So, 

once you find your passion, you'll be more satisfied with your life.

Although life is meant to be  lived to the fullest, there are 

many obstacles that keep me from doing so.  Unlike the characters 

in the film, I still have yet to find my passion. I realize I am just a 

part of society, struggling to make a living.

In order to find my passion, I know I have to learn more about 

myself. It is not an easy  task, but I am willing to work hard to 

have the life I know I deserve. My family is my sole supporter

and everything I do for myself, I am also doing it for them.