| September, 18, 2019 | Elyssa Gideon | reporter |
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TCC has created several options for the majority of students who may work full-time jobs or be parents outside of school to help improve their school-life balance.
“TCC always considers students’ needs, and that certainly includes the large population of students who are employed full time,” said Judith Gallagher, NW vice president of academic affairs. “Those students who are parents also have specific needs so that they can balance their parental responsibilities and maintain their college classes.”
TCC offers a plethora of options to accommodate anyone’s schedule, Gallagher said. Classes start as early as 6:30 a.m. and as late as 9 p.m. Weekend and online classes can also accommodate those with kids or those who may travel for work.
“TCC offers tons of opportunities to attend school and work around your work schedule,” said NE student Katheryn Ramirez, a 32-year-old mother of four. “Attending TCC has given me hope. Because of this opportunity, I am able to reach my goals.”
Julie McNett, a 34-year-old mother of two, who also takes care of her husband who has multiple sclerosis, starts her day at 5:30 a.m. to get her boys ready for school, and it doesn’t end until after her last class gets out at 9:30 p.m.
“After classes, I go home and go to bed and get up the next morning and do it all over again,” McNett said.
This busy day is all too familiar to Ramirez who not only is an employee, a mom and a wife, but she also helps out in the children’s ministry at church, is involved in school activities for her children and writes a blog about father’s rights.
McNett said organizing her time is key. She buys a planner and schedules her day to the minute.
“It helps me to know what I have going on,” she said. “It’s less nerve-wracking to have a plan.”
According to Ramirez, it’s just about getting started.
“Just do it! Nothing is more important than pursuing your education and following your dreams,” Ramirez said.
