The Confession of a College Student Part 11

By Annmarie Edwards

Attending a community college was the best investment I've made in my career. I attended La Guardia Community College in Queens, New York. I was both working and going to school full-time. This did not give me much time to study during the day so I used my traveling time well.

Traveling on the E Train

I studied on the E Train in the rush hour of the evenings. Passengers jerked as the train rumbled into the stations. Sometimes I would be fortunate to ride an express train. Getting to class at least ten minutes earlier gave me a few minutes to get a quick snack and breathe.


Study Aids

Markers and note cards served me well as I raced through each chapter trying to get to the main idea. I was up against time seeing the ride into Queens Plaza from my job was just twenty-five minutes. I used those twenty-five minutes well. On the train, sweaty bodies from the evening rush would crash into me as the train made its sudden stop. It was a sight to see passengers fall to the ground or fall on other passengers. Some inquisitive ones would peer into my textbook probably wondering what I was doing. I was too engrossed in getting the details before class I didn't care who was looking. I would catch some people staring at me or in space with my unexpected glance while I studied.

As soon as the train stopped I quickly exited the train station, walked down the bridge and waited patiently to cross Thomas Avenue and go to class. The Queens Plaza Bridge was busy in the evenings during rush hour. I felt a natural high going to college. I was onto something but I did not know what it was yet. I looked forward in meeting my classmates in the evenings. Students dragged their tired bodies to class and sometimes barely keeping up with the professor. They made it though with a quick ten minutes break the professor gave the class. Sometimes a quick rush to the bathroom helped students.

Just imagine leaving work with all the hustle and bustle of the evening. People walked preoccupied without even looking back because it was the end of the workday. Everybody wanted to go home. Some studios students had a plan to better their lives. They went to school in the evenings. The excitement of the evenings motivated me to get to class on time. I didn't want to miss class for anything. During those days, it was a pleasure to see other working people taking the time to study.

Community colleges are the champion in preparing American workforce. Adult learners who had learning gaps can enroll in remedial study. Getting back to the basic is what most adults need to work on their jobs. Community colleges provide that service in training adult learners.

As I mentioned before I had a great experience attending La Guardia Community College. The faculty showed that they care about me as an individual. The college is small so it made it more personable. I had the best opportunities. I worked on the magazine committee while I was a student there. I learned fun stuff such as laying out pictures, graphic design and collecting stories. The incentive to learn was there too. I was a Mayor scholar at one time and I got on the Dean List. I walked on cloud nine when I found my name on the wall with all the other students who made it. Can you imagine that experience for someone who started out doing remedial class?

When you attend a community college, you find motivated learners. People are there because they want to. No one forces them there that’s the difference.

It doesn't matter where you started out in college. If you're determined to achieve your goals and work towards them you'll succeed. This is coming from someone who started from the bottom up. The image of my two year degree was my big motivation to complete my education at La Guardia Community College. I had a vision of what I wanted and I worked towards it. You too can carry out your goals if you worked towards them.

I passed my basic skill class with flying colors and now I finally made it to English 101. What the professor was thinking about when he introduced the class to this kind of study? It was different and challenging. Stay tuned, you'll find out in the next round…

Stay tuned for Part 3 of the Confession of a College student.

Annmarie Edwards is a speaker and trainer who likes to motivate people in maximizing their potential.