The document outlines the many doubts, fears, and challenges faced by community college students as expressed in their own words, such as feeling that they are not smart enough or that no one will notice if they drop out. It then describes how the author themselves confronted similar questions and doubts as a community college student but learned that the first step to success is believing you are already successful. It calls for community college students to feel valued, motivated, and hopeful so they can complete their degrees and thrive rather than just get through community college.

1. Voices of community college students…

2. “Most people think I’m going to community college because I’m not smart…”

3. “but really it’s all I can afford.”

4. “I often wonder if I’m really cut out for this.”

5. “If I drop out no one will probably even notice.”

6. “I feel alone.”

7. “No one in my family went to college.”

8. “I was recruited to Harvard my junior year…but I’m from Colombia – I didn’t know what Harvard was and no one told me. So here I am.”

9. “I have too much going on in my life.”

10. “I’m afraid to ask questions because people may see how lost I feel.”

11. “I’m just not motivated.”

12. “I don’t have enough time.”

13. “I don’t test well.

14. “I don’t know what I want to do with my life.”

15. “I guess I’m majoring in International Relations because I like to travel…”

16. “Or maybe just business so I can make a lot of money.”

17. “Or I’ll just go to medical school because that’s what my parents want. ”

18. “I keep procrastinating and I don’t know why.”

19. “What is the point of this class?”

20. “My professor is so hard…but no I haven’t asked her for help. I’m scared.”

21. “Why am I even going to college?”

22. “Will I have a job when I get out?”

23. “What will my family thing if I get a higher education than them?”

24. “I’d love to be involved in extra-curriculars…but I don’t have a car”

25. “I have to work full time to pay for college.”

26. “I have to work to support my kids.”

27. “I have to work to support my parents.”

28. “I’d like to do something with my life that helps people – but I don’t know what that is.”

29. “Why is it taking so long for my financial aid to come through?”

30. “Is this really worth it?”

31. “Will my education make a difference in my life?”

32. “Will community colleges make a difference in anyone’s life?”

33. Yes.

34. I confronted all these questions when I was a community college student…

35. And I learned…

36. The first step in being successful…

37. …is believing that you already are.

38. Community college students need

39. And deserve

40. To feel smart

41. valued

42. worthy

43. motivated

44. hopeful.

45. An answer 

46. A solution to help community college students capture

47. their dreamstheir hopes their motivation…

48. – and complete their degrees…

49. And not just “get through” community college…

50. But THRIVE

51. IsaAdney.comSpeaker.Writer.Mentorwww.communitycollegesuccess.comIsaAdney@gmail.com