Living with mental health issues can often keep people from choosing to continue their education beyond high school. Without additional support and understanding, the typical challenges of college become even more overwhelming.
Rachel Fredendall knows this all too well. She has an array of mental health barriers, plus a learning disability. But Anne McPherson, SC4’s Coordinator of Academic Success and Disability Services, recommended the college’s TRIO Student Support Services program, and it’s been a great help to Fredendall.
“It’s really hard for me to get motivated because of my depression and OCD issues,” Fredendall explained. “After I have a depressive episode, I go into a 24-hour manic episode of hyper-motivation, where I really take advantage of time. It really came down to the two annoying (just kidding!) people that pestered me to keep on track. I couldn’t have gotten this far without my fiancé and my best friend.”
Ann Mole had some information from an insider when she decided to return to school to pursue a degree in graphic design: Her husband.
“He would talk about how much his instructors cared and helped him to achieve his goals,” she said, “so I chose to attend SC4, too.”
The TRIO Student Support Services program has proved to be an important part of Mole’s educational journey at SC4, and it’s provided extra support and encouragement for her when needed.
“The one-on-one advisor appointments gave me the encouragement to get through the semester,” Mole explained. “I’m grateful to Shawne Jowett, Amy Hengehold, and Jessica Brown, who I could always talk to when I needed somebody.”
Kate Bosma is starting her final semester in SC4’s Associate Degree Nursing program. Although she’s nearing the end of this part of her educational journey, she faced significant barriers when she decided to return to college to pursue a career in nursing.
“Financial barriers were huge,” Bosma explained. “Coming back to college involved a major career shift, and I already had a previous degree. I was able to earn scholarship assistance, however, from both SC4 and the Community Foundation.”
It had also been a while since Bosma had taken classes, so relearning how to be a college student again was also a major hurdle, but resources like SC4’s Achievement Center and the TRIO Student Support Service Program paved the way for her success.