By Idris Yusuf
I came to Tri-C immediately after graduating from Mayfield High School. Before attending Tri-C, I heard many stereotypes about Tri-C. “They are for students who got bad grades in school” and “community colleges are limited in the resources they have to provide sufficient education.” This is why when attending Tri-C during my first semester, my plan was simple. I would attend my classes and immediately leave when they ended. I would not allow myself to fit into the standards of a stereotypical community college. But I was greatly mistaken.
Going into my first day of Tri-C, students were greeted by campus leaders of student government and we were offered free items such as notebooks, pencils, snacks, etc. This interaction would later convince me to also be a part of student government, going into my second semester at Tri-C.
During my first semester, I didn’t attempt to make meaningful connections with peers and professors. I didn’t think it was of importance, as a community college didn’t allow dorming, so therefore, I couldn’t get to know my peers on a deeper level. However, nearing the end of my second semester, I now understand that the beliefs I started Tri-C with and the prejudice I had toward community colleges as a whole were false. Now, after my morning classes, a group of friends and I work out at the gym, socialize, etc. During my weekend physics class, during break time, we share our interests—whether it’s about sports, our majors, lifestyle, etc.—all while eating Chick-fil-A during our break time.
If I could redo my first semester, I would have attempted to connect more with my friends. I should have been more involved with campus activities, whether it’s by attending seminars, or by joining clubs on campus, or even studying at the school library and utilizing the vast number of resources that are available to students.
As someone who reflected on their first semester, here is how you can be successful in yours.
Attend all your classes. Skipping classes might sound ideal, especially if your professors don’t take attendance, but one thing I can assure you is that professors do pay attention to the students who show up to their classes and are engaged. Showing up to classes allows you to absorb source material and perhaps you can even ask them for a letter of recommendation.
Join campus activities. Setting aside my ego about not wanting to be a part of a community college has been the best decision I’ve made thus far in my time at Tri-C. It has enabled me to make friends who, although I’ve only known them for several months, have come to be some of my closest friends. Joining campus activities allows you to mingle with like-minded individuals.
Stay curious. Curiosity doesn’t always kill the cat, and from the perspective of students, being curious about opportunities and having the initiative to go after opportunities can open unprecedented doors. Curiosity is a privilege.
