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2013年英语六级考试阅读试题模拟（23）外语学习网 You don’t have to be 18: Going to college as an adult
Every so often, especially when I’m feeling down, I take out my old college notes, textbooks and diplomas, and take a little stroll down memory lane. I remember the fun I had in college, the people I met, the professors who taught me and the experiences that changed my life. And I’m glad I made the sacrifices.
After graduating high school, I thought college wasn’t for me. I served a four-year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, and then took a job with the postal service. In my na vet, I thought that moving up within the agency would be fairly easy. I was bright, knowledgeable, eager to learn new things and willing to put in the time needed to develop myself. But I ran into a brick wall. It seemed there was an inside track, and I was definitely not on it. After about a year and a half, I realized that my chances of advancement were nil, and it was time to do something about it.
I floated the idea of attending college to my coworkers and superiors and the response was mostly negative. But there were a few people who thought it was a good idea, and I did a Lot of thinking. I saw two choices: 1. Stay where I was, miserable in a low-level job. 2. Take a chance and give college a try. Since my job was Leading me nowhere, I decided to start college.
Overcoming the initial obstacles
When I started; I encountered a lot of resistance from people at work. The phrase "career student" was bandied about at me, as if I was learning nothing practical and basically trying to avoid growing up. Actually it was the other way around, I saw staying in my job as a way to avoid facing responsibilities, and college as a more real world—and an island of sanity in my life.
While it made little difference to me if my coworkers or bosses supported my decision to attend college, I did want my family behind me. The support was there-I didn’t need any financial help, but I got a lot of moral support from my parents, as well as from friends and relatives.
Probably the biggest obstacle I faced, since I was plagued by doubts about my own intelligence and abilities, was just getting started. I decided to start close to home and do my first two years of college at Palm Beach Community College, which was on the way to work, and then transfer to Florida Atlantic University, which was more out of the way.
I had driven past the campus of Palm Beach Community College several times. In the spring of 1987, I finally worked up the nerve to go into the admissions office. For many people that first step is a big one, and it’s easy to believe that one is stepping into an abyss, but PBCC was flexible enough for me. I had to take the American College Test and, after scoring well on that, was able to register for classes. My first class was introduction to the Social Sciences, and from the moment the professor began to lecture, I knew I had found a place where I could learn and grow.
Culture Shock
You might expect to experience culture shock in college after your day-to-day experiences. I found, instead, that most of the culture shock happens when you leave class and go back to work. For while your coworkers and bosses are not changing, you are.
You may find yourself colliding with the people at work. They may find that your new habits, like studying during breaks and lunch, and not going to the local bar to drink and gripe about work, are disturbing the status quo(当前的状况).wｗw.ExamＷ.CoM
You may even be tempted to give up. Please don’t. It may be difficult, you may be exhausted and you may have to tune out criticism, but I can tell you from experience that it’s all worth it on the day you put on the cap and gown and receive your diploma.
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