Bergen Community College

Emory Medical Center, Atlanta, GA

I'd worked in various area hospitals for a few years before I built up the courage to give college “one last try.” Being “unable” to succeed at more than a few colleges, I began to believe what the public school system had told me since I was a young boy. “Justin isn't college material,” “Justin is learning disabled,” “Justin should graduate high school and start working,” or my personal favorite; "Perhaps you'd enjoy being a gardener.” With my sister's encouragement I registered for Algebra (the comprehension of which had always eluded me). I maintained my employment with Jersey City Medical Center providing 911 EMS for Hudson County. I received the first "A" of my life and continued on to become an emergency room nurse, graduating with a 3.71 GPA. My experience at Bergen changed the way I feel about teachers by showing me what was possible. Many of my professors have become my friends. I owe much of my success to the faculty at BCC, and the rest of the credit I keep for myself. I was very ready to succeed.

The memory that first comes to mind was when my Algebra professor, Mrs. Fitzgerald, graded my final exam. I knew at minimum I would be getting a "B." When she graded the last question, she exclaimed "YOU DID IT!" That was the first "A" of my life.

As stated above, one really must want to succeed. I haven't seen anyone; willing to put in effort, do poorly. Respect the professors, for most are outstanding. The first day of each class, I chose a seat and thought to myself, "I am going to get an 'A' in this course."