Creating A Future That Works For Me

Hello, my name is Ryan Hill.

I'm a 22 year old student who has been taking classes at Granite State College since the fall of 2007. I'm now 2 classes away from receiving my associates degree in general studies. While working on my associates degree, I decided I wanted to keep going on for my bachelors degree in behavioral science. I really enjoy the class sizes and diversity that I get at the Conway Campus.

Working two jobs really makes the adult education work the best for me, it has a great schedule and I really enjoy meeting all types of adult learners. I know that with the support of Granite State College I'm working towards a great career, and I know, a better future.

With Thanksgiving just a few days ago I have been spending time thinking about what I'm thankful for. Of course I 'm thankful for my husband, family, and friends, but also Granite State College and the doors it has helped me open. I really feel thankful for so many thing about the college. The class size, the convenient Conway NH college campus location, great teachers, fellow adult learners, and of course great classes that really teach me so much more then just what I'm studying. I think that it's great to know there are so many doors opening for me, and that also makes me thankful for Granite State College because I know if I wasn't involved in the learning community my life wouldn't be the same.

I hope you all had a nice holiday :)

A few weeks ago I took a mid-term in my Behavioral Science class at the Conway NH college campus and we got our grades back two days ago. I got an 89 - wow, what a good feeling to know all my hard work is paying off.  It's moments like those when I know I'm doing the right thing.

I have two research papers due next week, so I've been busting my butt proof reading and putting together my PowerPoint presentation. I have taken so many great classes on PowerPoint, I know I won't have any problem. I love it when I can use something I learned in one class for another class. Bridging that learning between more then one class really is a full circle feeling and it helps me to know I'm on the right track.

I know I made the right choice choosing Granite State College, I can't wait to see what the future holds :) 

I have been working part-time jobs since I began my college career. One of the biggest reasons I starting taking classes at Granite State College was because I wanted to work towards a career. Working and living pay check to pay check is something I wanted to avoid. I really feel that since I began classes at the Conway NH Campus, I have really enriched not only my education but also my work ethic. 

Some courses I have taken have really taught me more about work then school, and have really helped me decide which path I want to take once I have my Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science. I feel that knowing I have Granite State College on my resume, I really shine over some of the other applicants when I apply for a job. I never realized how much that impacts my chances. As much work as school is, it's totally worth it to be building my future, and working towards something I really want to do with my life. 

I recently got offered a really good job, and I know one of the main reasons is because of my education. I feel that I can credit that to Granite State College and the knowledge I have acquired, while being a student there. I really feel like all my hard work is paying off, that's a really encouraging feeling when planning for the future. :)

Being enrolled in two upper level psychology courses means a lot of research papers. That means at least 25+ sources of different sources of information, between the two papers. The easiest place to go for me is the EBSCOhost Database. In the online library on the Granite State College website, I have access to over thousands of articles, books, journals, etc. You have the option to create your own account and folder to save found material. I have used it several times in the past and I know it will be used a lot in the future. It's so nice to know I have such a great resource at my fingertips every time I need it, especially so I can write two great papers.

There is also a great new academic resource coordinator at the Conway NH college campus. I can't wait to bring these papers to him to look over, and help me polish. I also want to check out the library, I have access to any book in New Hampshire by being a student here. There really are so many resources at Granite State College, with a lot of dedication, it's hard not to succeed. :)

This past week in my Upper Level Psychology Class we had a guest educator come in and give us some really cool hands on examples of Occupational Therapy. I think it was such a great way to learn about the senses, and how we learn. It was so cool to get to experience things such as brushing, hands on. It was a great way to stimulate all the senses, and I really felt like I learned a lot. It helps to break up the class, as well as incorporate different learning techniques.

This isn't the first class at Granite State College that I have taken that incorporates hands on activities. I have taken several other course that have also used visual stimuli to enhance the learning, or to explain a certain procedure. It's something that is really nice that the college can offer to students. It also offers a chance for the community to get involved in 1. our education, but also the college. We really get to use some great local resources to help enhance the already diverse learning environment.

When I was growing up as a child we had a poster hanging in the school that said it takes a village to raise a child. After the experiences I have had a Granite State College, I believe that. I look forward to many more classes that will offer a new way to teach me something out my future career.
 

They say friends are the secret to a happy life, and I fully agree. I have made so many wonderful friends since I began my career at Granite State College. I'm currently enrolled in two psychology courses at the Conway Campus and there are so many returning classmates, it really helps the process to know there are other adult learners just like me, working and going to school. Like anything else, it's more fun when there are friends there to share the learning, fun, and especially all the hard work. Thanks to all my college friends that help make the journey more fun :)

Wow, summer sure did fly by! I can't believe that it's already almost time for fall semester to start. I don't know about you, but I had an eventful summer. I got married, moved into a new house, and went on a few really nice vacations.

Now that my summer off is almost over and fall is upon us it's time for me to start thinking about what classes I wanted to take for the fall semester at Granite State College. The Conway campus has some great classes to offer this fall, especially for my major: behavioral science. 

Living in the White Mountains means that during the fall, my two jobs are very busy and  it could be a challenge to also try to take classes. With the convenient evening college classes at the Conway NH college campus, I can make a schedule that really works for me. I also have a great advisor, who can help me figure out which courses will work best with my busy schedule. That's one of my favorite things about GSC: there is always someone there to help you throughout your education journey.

I'm going to take Art therapy, and Cognition and Learning this upcoming semester. Both are Psychology classes, and both seem really interesting. I'm not a great artist, but I love the challenge of taking a class that will teach me more about something I'm not the best at. I feel that's an important part of the college experience; to try to be challenged as often as possible. I think Cognition and Learning will help me build a better foundation to achieve my career in behavioral science. I can't wait to meet my new professors and new classmates. With one more month to go, I need to order my books and supplies. I love that you can order them directly from the Granite State College Website, it makes it so easy to be prepared for the first night of class.

I hope to see you on the Conway NH college campus in a few weeks :)