Vin,
That's a tough question you ask... I think you're a lot more likely to hear from the people who did have to work extra hard. The ones that didn't, are probably not as proud to announce they had help.
Having said that, I'll be honest. I had a lot of help. My parents paid for everything involving my education: tuition, board, clothes, books, spending cash, even my lawyer when I got arrested :! etc.
I really didn't have to work very hard and very good grades were not expected, they were hoped for, but I didn't really come from an "academic" family.
However, my religion/culture is very, very big on education. It was not a matter of "if" I went to college, but where I went to college. I would say that was the norm for 99% of the people I know, who share my Jewish cultural heritage.
It is sort of expected that our parents will pay for college, if they have the means.
I then also had help starting my first business out of school, a web design firm that is now 11 years strong and running great.
I wish I could say, I accomplished it all my own, but that would be a lie. It took a village to raise this child...
And I plan to do the same for my kids. They will go to college, it will be paid for and they won't have to work to support themselves until they are done with their education. They can find "gravy" jobs, but I'll pick up the expenses.
I do want to add though, I worked hard in other ways. I grew up in a house with a divorced, disabled father. Even though it was no burden, living with a deaf dad has it's own sort of "extra hard work"... Little things that most people take for granted. Like making phone calls, setting appointments, etc. etc.
I know I was fortunate to have my path paid for but other kids were fortunate to be able to have a phone conversation with their dad's.. I guess my point is, everybody struggle's in some way, shape or another. I have a lot of respect for those that did it on their own. But I also have a lot of respect for those that did it with dyslexia, family problems, etc. etc.
B