You have likely heard the phrase "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again".

Ricardo Brown is just one of many who know it well.

The 27-year old graduate of Toronto's Central Technical School, who later invested a few months of his time at a basketball Prep Program, returned to George Brown for a third visit and, this time, he is determined to make it work.

At first, fresh out of high school, Brown thought he would sign up and pursue a Business program. But after his first semester, he said it was not for him and left.

It wasn't long before Brown heard his parents re-enforce something he had already known: get an education and focus on a career.

Back he went to College and, again, Brown wasn't happy.

"I just wasn't sure, I know it happens to many people - they come out of high school and need time to figure out their future," said Brown, speaking slowly and with pain after recovering from a fourth extraction of a wisdom tooth. "I needed a bit of time to think and find something that interested me."

Brown shuffled off to Edmonton, for two years, to work in landscaping, renovations and building houses. It gave him an opportunity to ponder his future and Brown decided to give it another try at George Brown.

This time, it was a switch in academics and a focus on the Community Worker Program. His plan: to earn a Diploma and then move on to university to study Social Work.

"I want to help others and show people there are resources and individuals who can help them in difficult times," said Brown. "When I was younger, I had issues and things got to me. What I want to do is help people avoid the struggles that I went through and live a good life."

Brown is also a fairly good basketball player. Chosen MVP in his graduating year at high school, he went from star status to learning what it was like and coping with disappointment after being cut from the George Brown team.

"Sure you get upset, but there is a reason for everything and I have learned a great deal since," said Brown, who now is a member of the George Brown playoff-bound men's basketball squad after brief stints in 2009 and 2010. - DG