My journey began as a completely oblivious high school student. Unaware of what college would bring, I decided to stay local and chose to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. I found classes very challenging, yet rewarding and as I achieved a G.P.A. of 3.3 during the first semester, I strove to improve and longed to move up the ladder of success until I reached the top. Receiving a G.P.A. of 3.8 my second semester, I came to appreciate academic stimulation. I had overcome the obstacle of change and found my place in the community of UMass. I thought for sure that UMass was the place for me and I could not wait to embark on my second year and finally move up the ladder of rankings and no longer be a "little freshman."

As I registered for classes for my second year I was excited and nervous about what the year ahead would bring. I had met so many wonderful people, I had an o

Holyoke Community College has not only provided me with the opportunity to partake in the courses I had hoped for, but it has also provided me with the opportunity to learn more about myself. Transitioning from large lecture classes of 300 to 500 students, to a small classroom setting of 30 students was quite a change! Starting out as the quiet listener who sat in the back of the class, I soon worked my way to the front and began to partake in the daily class discussions. The professors actually knew my name and I actually knew most of the answers! I was no longer called on by my social security number. This was a new and amazing concept and it helped me to improve my social skills and climb further up the ladder of academic success. The success of my first year instilled me with a drive to improve myself prompting me to seek greater challenges and rewards.

Receiving this disappointing news only two weeks before classes were supposed to resume, I began to consider my other options. Visiting our local community college was my first stop. I was amazed and relieved to discover that they would be able to place me in all six courses I had hoped for and I would be able to start my second year of colleg

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