By R. Anthony Diaz |Asst. Features Editor|

Unlike the average college student my journey was anything but ordinary because it took me nine years to finally say, “I am graduating from a university.”

I started off at Arizona State University, a school big enough to follow any interest, and I loved it. I was pursing my passion in my second year of school by working on sets for commercials and independent films.

I rocked Arizona by making my claim to fame on imdb.com which is a database of information about films, television programs, actors and many other sources.

This is the part where the TV blurs and goes “SCHHH.”

My friends have always said, I have a gypsy’s soul because I can never stay in one place for too long. After taking a “sabbatical…” from classes, I moved to Chicago with my best friend Stacy.

I don’t even remember shutting a darn thing off. I may have left with the vacuum cleaner running, but it did not matter, I was eager to explore. The winters took a toll on me so I headed to Los Angeles.

After leaving Millennium Dance Studio one evening, it hit me. Not only was I not a good hip hop dancer but the competition in cities like L.A are stiff.

Although I was at the studio for fun, I realized that your social capital will only get you so far, but if you want to be on top you need to push yourself and really know your stuff.

It had reminded me of a something Thomas Wolfe wrote, “A young man is so strong, so mad, so certain, and so lost. He has everything and he is able to use nothing.”

A week later I hopped on a plane back to Chicago and tried to figure it all out. Well as we know that is impossible. I enrolled in school and told myself I need to have a degree before I step into the lions den again.

Although a few survive without proper schooling, I was not going to attempt that feat again. For a while I was beating myself up for not having attained my degree in four years like the rest of my friends.

But when talking to my friend Jeff, who was a modern day drifter like myself, we came to a realization that life is not a destination, its a journey. I learned to accept and appreciate my journey.

I learned firsthand that you can learn anything you want in life by actually doing it as well as reading the books. I gained life experience that I would need, and have overcrowded my schema of experiences.

I came to CSUSB with an immense thirst for knowledge and to conquer a goal. I found that school was more interesting and easier as you get older.

I love this place, I have learned so much from Dr. C. Rod Metts and Professor Jim Smart. Not only mentors but very talented and amazing gentlemen.

Thomas Wolfe once said, “you can never go home again,” but I did, and I am glad I found my way.