Across the verdant campus of Reedley College, many new faces can be seen wandering about and trying to find their classrooms. With the commencement of a new semester, there come many new challenges to overcome and learning opportunities for students. College students may find themselves with a bubbling anticipation and simultaneously with an anxious sentiment. Although college is a prescribed path, as soon as one leaves the gates of high school, the myth of the “typical” student is easily dispelled. The “typical” archetype most commonly portrayed in the media is the young, exuberant, fresh-out-of-high-school college student. Unlike primary education, which encompasses kindergarten through high school, students from all backgrounds, experiences, and ages make up the student college population. A more expansive view of the college student body shows how individuals from diverse experiences uniquely contradict the “typical” mold of what one envisions a college student to be. These students are typically regarded as “returning” students. In the Reading and Writing Center, the diversity found in colleges is visible in our English tutors.
Paula Rawlings
Before deciding to go to college, one of our tutors, Paula Rawlings, homeschooled her three daughters for roughly 10 to 15 years. When her children reached a certain age, she began to seek ways to spend her time. Although she felt confident in her skills as a student, what concerned her was the process of registering for college. She didn’t know who to talk to or where to go. After some contemplation, she decided to take classes in 2015 despite the anxiety she felt. During this time, she focused on taking essential and rudimentary courses but didn’t have a specific goal or major. However, that changed when she took a creative non-fiction course, where she discovered her passion for creative writing. Today, at 45 years of age, she is a creative writing major with a dream and goal to work towards. By conquering her anxieties, she could feel more confident in herself. Her advice to all students is to go at their own pace and to have faith in their journey.
Alan Pujol
Alan Pujol is one of our new English tutors, and he is in his second semester at Reedley College. After high school, he joined the military for five years and worked multiple jobs but couldn’t find anything he thoroughly enjoyed. It wasn’t until a year ago that he began contemplating what his calling or passion was. During this time, he began reading philosophical books. Captivated by the ideas he found in his readings, he decided to start college after being out of school for 14 years. He felt nervous and questioned whether he would succeed. When classes began, he felt uncomfortable as he was older than all the students in his classes. However, he felt more at ease and acclimated to his environment after connecting with more students in his classes. He also emphasizes that he felt supported by the Veteran Resource Center, which connected him to financial programs and other resources. Today, he has further developed confidence in his abilities as a student and is excited for what the future holds. He advises students not to be afraid to ask for help if they have concerns or questions.
Dilma Aguiluz
Dilma Aguiluz is a seventy-year-old student at Reedley College who is currently taking ESL classes. Although she is not an English tutor, she frequents the Reading and Writing Center to work on her assignments and to ask for help from our tutors. When I asked her about her perspective on being an older student in college, I was surprised to learn more about her life. Throughout her life, she has continuously taken courses in higher education in every place she has lived. She has traveled as far as Spain and has attended classes there. She doesn’t feel that her age limits her capacity to learn or to converse and bond with students who may be younger than herself. When asked what advice she would give students, she stated, “La vida es aprender.” To live means to learn. Her words remind us that there is no specific time set in stone to pursue own journey towards learning.
Stephanie Hernandez
Stephanie Hernandez, like many high school students, decided to attend college after graduating. When she began college, she recalls not having any real sense of what an education is nor where it can get you; her journey was uncertain. At the time, she also was tasked with supporting both her son and her father, who faced health issues, including family difficulties. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Stephanie made the decision to withdraw from college to redirect her energies towards helping her family instead. During that time, she worked odd jobs to make sure her now, 2 sons, were taken care of and settled. One of the jobs which she recalls opened her eyes to the world was when she worked as the manager of a food inmate company. However, she eventually decided to return to private college to get her dental assistant degree. Upon announcing her departure, her job hours were drastically cut. Despite her dismay, her father’s presence anchored her even 6 The doors of higher education are open to anyone with the willingness and dedication to learn and improve oneself. Our coordinator at the Reading and Writing Center, Dr. Borofka, expresses her appreciation for older students as their life experiences bring a unique perspective to a learning environment. She has witnessed and commended their determination and dedication. She also perceives them as role models and mentors to younger students. Their stories serve as an inspiration to all students as they bravely embark on a journey called college. After all, it is the beginning of a new chapter for every student, and although it is riddled with fears and doubts, there is also excitement and hope. Dilma Aguiluz is a seventy-year-old student at Reedley College who is currently taking ESL classes. Although she is not an English tutor, she frequents the Reading and Writing Center to work on her assignments and to ask for help from our tutors. When I asked her about her perspective on being an older student in college, I was surprised to learn more about her life. Throughout her life, she has continuously taken courses in higher education in every place she has lived. She has traveled as far as Spain and has attended classes there. She doesn’t feel that her age limits her capacity to learn or to converse and bond with students who may be younger than herself. When asked what advice she would give students, she stated, “La vida es aprender.” To live means to learn. Her words remind us that there is no specific time set in stone to pursue own journey towards learning. Dilma Aguiluz as his health was declining. The following two weeks, she spent alongside her father before his passing. Stephanie persevered as she recalled her father’s advice: don’t start something and not finish it. Her schedule was nothing short of hectic as she got up to work at a casino at three in the morning, took care of her children, and from six to twelve dedicated herself to her studies. Her determination aided in her accomplishment even as she bore her grief and continued to support her children as a single parent. After working for a while as a dental assistant, she gathered the courage to aspire towards more and is a student at Reedley college today. She reflects on her past experiences and with a soft conviction says, “You can’t grow if you don’t learn.” Most importantly, she hopes her story encourages students to not give up and to know that it is never truly too late.
Conclusion
The doors of higher education are open to anyone with the willingness and dedication to learn and improve oneself. Our coordinator at the Reading and Writing Center, Dr. Borofka, expresses her appreciation for older students as their life experiences bring a unique perspective to a learning environment. She has witnessed and commended their determination and dedication. She also perceives them as role models and mentors to younger students. Their stories serve as an inspiration to all students as they bravely embark on a journey called college. After all, it is the beginning of a new chapter for every student, and although it is riddled with fears and doubts, there is also excitement and hope.
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