Comments on: Why do some students succeed despite their personal circumstances?

By: Tonya Tuigamala

Tonya Tuigamala — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:03:02 +0000

I love the fact that a lot of people just dont give up on what they love to do. They are real role models to the nation. Especially to those who belittle themselves. Their self-esteem will grow as they hear very inspiring stories such as Khadijahs. Very smart young lady, rather, a blessing.

By: natali

natali — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:43:01 +0000

i think that in general any person have awill in his thing he want to do surely he will succed in what he is doing and here come the ability of aperson and how much he will give he will take as kadiga really she was an hope person infront her troubles and i wich i can be like her really and achieve what i want in life at last i wana say that i wich that you had enjoyed my letter and take it in aserious way

By: Sonia M. Gomez

Sonia M. Gomez — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:44:12 +0000

Thank you Sophie for your nice words. What you said about the background is true. No matter what circunstances someone is, if the person doesn’t try, then that person is not going to succed. In this days, having money does not warranty succes. I certainlly believe Khadijah is an excelent example of a person whowants to succed, and not just her, her mother also who show her with her example not to give up. It is admirable how someone can have such a strong spirit to keep fighting against any opposition. People like Khadijah make us think that their is no impossibles when someone wants to progress in life. As she omce said ” circunstances in life have taught her that education and knowledge, unlike many things, cannot be taken from you by educating”, and that’s true. I just hope and truly believe that ther are more Khadijah’s in this world, children that under difficult circunstances are making their way in this life. I, like others, wish Khadijah the best in Harvard, and to accomplish her goals; to graduate from law school, earn a doctorate in education, build a profession advocating for the under educated, and buy a house for her mom and sister. Good luck and best wishes.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:25:04 +0000

I belive that no matter your background you can succede if you just try. As long as you have the will to keep going you can. Khadijah is an excellent example of this.

By: Sonia M. Gomez

Sonia M. Gomez — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:22:07 +0000

Khadijah is an excelent example of what students can do when they want to succed. I personally have met people that have strugale every moment in their lives, but never give up, and at the end, they enjoyed the fruit of their hard work. Any problem in life should be make us stroger, not weaker. Khadijah is a very good example in this aspect.A long time ago I met a lady who’s mother abandonded her and her brothers. She was just 12 years old when she had to rase her brothers and sisters, and take care of her drunk father. She never give up. She worked the night shift and went to school in the afternoons, after leaving her brothers and sisters in the school.Now she is a happy married woman, a professional that works in a school helpping students to take their education serously. People like this is worth to meet and work with them.

By: Ritan1

Ritan1 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:22:25 +0000

The air date for Khadijah’s interview with Oprah has been pushed back to Monday, October 5

By: Ritan1

Ritan1 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:35:39 +0000

Thank you for your kind words on your blog for Khadijah and for those that have supported her. I thought you would like to know that Khadijah has enrolled in the freshman class at Harvard College and has a website to provide updates – http://www.khadijahwilliams.com.

Last week, Khadijah was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey for an episode of her show entitled, “Don’t Stop Believing.” The show will air on Friday, October 2. Please watch for Oprah’s surprise for Khadijah!

By: Elona Hartjes

Elona Hartjes — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:38:52 +0000

Beth,
Excellent points. When I was thinking about her success, I’d forgotten about the underlying mental illness factor. If I remember correctly, about 20% of students suffer some sort of mental illness. It’s hard to bounce back when a person suffers from mental illness. As for the bounce back factor itself, I think it is mostly nature with some nurture thrown in. I don’t know for sure either, but I have noticed that even small children have differing amounts. Of course nurture could play a role there too. It’s certainly complicated. Maybe someone knows of a study that sheds light on this.

By: Mathew

Mathew — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:37:17 +0000

I would guess that someone (either her parents or a teacher) gave Khadijah the encouragement that she needed to pursue her natural gifts.

By: Beth MacLehose

Beth MacLehose — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:59:24 +0000

I personally think it is two fold. One is that she probably did not have an underlying mental illness. And second she had something I’ve come to call bounce back. The ability to hit a wall or a bad situation and keep trying again, and again, and again. I believe (no proof or data) that some of us have more of this hard wired into our brains than others. The amount of bounce back we are born with can of course be enhances or decreased either by specific exercises or life experiences. But some people’s brains are just wired with more of it than others.

What do you think?