by 
One. That is the number of traffic lights located in the small Texas town where I graduated high school. It is a typical, well-loved community where Friday night football is king, family is important and most jobs are industry based. As a teenager, the phrase “first generation college student” was unknown to me. I certainly did not know that it would later describe me. However, like most “spirited,” eighteen-year-olds, I felt adamant about “living my own life in the future, and wanting more.”
During my senior year I began exploring options that would help make these concepts a reality, and college became a consideration. The question, “why college?” crossed my mind, and while attending college was a daunting thought, it also seemed to beckon with possibilities. Several years later, those possibilities evolved into the bachelor’s and master’s degrees that are currently hanging on my wall. Along the way, I developed a more solid answer to my former question, because I found that attending college provided me with not only what I did been seeking, but so much more.
From college I gained more:
- Personal Freedom—college allows you to take ownership of your life and actions while developing confidence through your success and overcoming the fears that attempted to hold you back
- Choices—the options you gain from an education are liberating; it empowers you to use your voice and determine your own pathway in life financially, professionally and personally
- Experiences-college offers ways to learn and participate in new things, make new friends and network through activities such as sports, organizations, dorm life, and internships
- Opportunities—the educational component on a resume has a way of opening doors for employment and advancement that you previously held no key
Infinite. That word best describes the positive effects I have experienced in my life because I chose to attend college. While I am not able to say that college was always easy, I can say it was worth the effort. Afterall, it only stands to reason that great things require great effort. The good news is that you do not have to travel through the college journey alone, because the staff and faculty at TJC are committed to helping you navigate from one traffic light in your hometown to infinite possibilities.
Connect with TJC by emailing help@tjc.edu
