Page 39 - Keys To Community College Success

The Rewards of College

TAKING RISKS THAT MOVE YOU TOWARD SUCCESS

What Would You Risk? Dr. J. Raider Estrada

THINK ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS YOU READ, AND CONSIDER WHAT ACTION YOU WOULD TAKE.
THIS CHAPTER JUMP-STARTS YOUR ENTRY INTO THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE, WITH INFORMATION
ON HOW TO MAKE THE TRANSITION AND GATHER THE INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS.

J. Raider Estrada’s childhood in Los Angeles was defined by deaths of several fellow gang mem-
challenges. His parents separated when he was 10, and his bers. After two weeks of hiding out,
neighborhood was dominated by gang culture. He grew he risked going to the police on his
close to an older boy named Rudy who belonged to one of own volition. This time the interven-
the local gangs. One day as he and Rudy walked down the tion was different. He went to a pro-
street, members of a rival gang drove up, jumped out of the gram called Rite of Passage in the heart
car, and fatally stabbed Rudy on the spot. Raider, age 12 at of the Nevada desert, where he found
the time, could only hold his best friend and watch him die. encouragement and motivation. A devoted teacher who
This experience unleashed rage in Raider that he was worked with Raider sparked his desire to learn, which
unable to control. He joined the gang to which Rudy had led to his earning a high school diploma, and a coun-
belonged and participated in gang violence. He was repeat- selor helped him apply to college. He was admitted to
edly arrested for assault and battery. He went through sev- Lassen College and started classes two days after leav-
eral stints in juvenile hall and on probation, and he ing Rite of Passage. Now a new challenge loomed: How
eventually lived in a group home for over a year. However, could Raider, as a former gang member with a history
none of these interventions kept him from continuing to of failure and violence, earn the reward of a successful
act violently on behalf of the gang. college career?
When his stepmother discovered his gun and called
the police, she disrupted Raider’s plan to avenge the To be continued . . .

IN THIS TEXT, YOU WILL
MEET PEOPLE LIKE RAIDER
WHO HAVE TAKEN RISKS
THAT HAVE HELPED THEM
ACHIEVE IMPORTANT
GOALS. WHETHER YOU
HAVE SOMETHING IN
COMMON WITH THESE Working through this chapter will help you to:
PEOPLE OR NOT, THEY
WILL EXPAND YOUR PER- • Know the risks and potential rewards of college P. 2
SPECTIVE AND INSPIRE • Understand college culture P. 3
YOU TO MOVE AHEAD
ON YOUR OWN PATH. • Understand how successful intelligence—analytical, creative,
YOU’LL LEARN MORE and practical thinking—can help you achieve goals P. 6
ABOUT RAIDER, AND • Use a growth mindset to build motivation and persistence P. 9
THE REWARD RESULTING
FROM HIS ACTIONS, • Practice academic integrity P. 10
WITHIN THE CHAPTER. • Face fears, challenges, and failures with optimism P. 13
• Understand and build emotional intelligence P. 15