The path to Success or Stress?

As someone who has returned to school later on in life, I often find myself wondering how other students in my position are fairing, raising the question, is returning to school later on in life a path to success or stress?

I had barely graduated high school in 2022, for I had no care in the world for school or my future. I barely passed most of my classes until I had one of the last conversations with my father before he passed away unexpectedly 2 months before my graduation; he expressed that he was so excited to see me graduate. That’s when a switch flipped internally, and I tried my best and gave 10 times more effort when he passed away.

After graduation, I found myself overworking at a BBQ restaurant as a cashier, later transitioning into other types of work such as being a busser, helping the kitchen, catering, and coming in when my boss asked me just to help my mom pay rent.

It wasn’t until June of 2024 that I told myself and others that I wanted to go back to school despite the grief and heartache I had been feeling. I was so scared and nervous about going back to school as I had always hated it growing up and never felt like I was any good at it, but I was so tired of being seen as a disappointment in the family.

My first day at Cabrillo was terrific. I got to meet a fabulous teacher in my Mass Communications class and made two new amazing friends. I was excited to attend class each week, and even though it was challenging to balance five classes and a job, I tried my best to stay on top of my schedule. I thank my father, an immigrant man who came to this country with nothing and worked as a janitor for nearly his entire life he used to say, “School is amazing, “and “You should be grateful for school.”

He constantly tried to motivate me to learn, which I am grateful for today, so in honor of my father and those who wish to return to the world of academics, I am proud to present these students’ testimonials, which I hope will make you reconsider getting back to classes if you feel like you’re the only one struggling to make a strong academic comeback or find your academic footing during your first year of school as an adult.

One student who came back to Cabrillo after rethinking his career path is Nick Brautovich, who originally graduated in the spring of 2023 with an Associate in Science in the Administration of Justice. Brautovich is currently taking courses to get into the radiology program, which focuses on diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses using medical imaging devices like X-ray machines and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

“Coming out of high school, I was not set on what I wanted to pursue for my career, and even today, I still am not fully sure. Cabrillo provided me with an opportunity to start my college career while being able to explore different career paths. Cabrillo was a very cost-effective way for me to start college without falling into the student loan debt that some do when they continue to switch majors.” he said.

Outside of academics, Brautovich is a supervisor at Mission St BBQ and works 40 hours a week on top of his schooling and local basketball games.

“Everyone has different strategies to manage their time, but I struggle with that a little bit due to my work schedule. One thing I am very proud of is that no matter what, I will always complete my work and turn it in on time. This current semester is a little light for my classes, so there is not much time that I have to set aside for school, but I definitely do when I have to.” Brautovich said.

In addition to hectic study schedules, many students have to learn time management skills, especially with work or other tasks. One such student who has to balance their time delicately is Aimee Diaz, an undeclared major who strives to major in environmental sciences says that after maintaining her busy work schedule, she has to maintain a crowded school schedule with long lectures and heavy workloads.

“The most challenging part of college life so far has been managing time between school and other things like work and a social life. It’s very important to balance your courses and ensure you aren’t taking multiple heavy work courses, especially if you work. I try to manage my time by making schedules for myself every day. It can be difficult between work, school, and life, but as I mentioned before, there is a lot of support, and many professors are very understanding.” Diaz said.

When asked what advice she has to offer to students in a similar boat, she said it would be to make time management a priority.

“I think I would also tell myself not to be afraid to reach out to professors and classmates. It can be a bit intimidating at first, but it is worth it.” She added.

Although many students start college fresh out of high school, many bloom late, like me and many others. Finding ways to get that academic comeback and viewing yourself as a version you thought you could never see can be challenging.

Both Brautovich and Diaz didn’t really take time off after graduating high school, but they shared some of the difficulties they had experienced.

Brautovich shared that he took a few semesters off of school before coming back and graduating for the first time back in the spring of 2023. However, once he returned, he had some trouble getting back into the grind of academics because of how comfortable he got with the lack of responsibility for school.

“Overall, I am happy that I came back and am just trying to figure out the right path for me,” Brautovich added.

Regardless of the challenges faced by both students in selecting a suitable major or re-entry, they managed to discover an area that ignited their passion.

“There are a few different majors that have sparked my interest, such as Criminology (Criminal Justice), Kinesiology, and Radiologic Technology. I am currently waiting to apply for the radiology program. After I graduated the first time with a criminology degree, my grandpa got sick, which allowed me to be around him in the hospital. That is when the healthcare field started to pique my interest, and I ultimately chose Radiology, which I am super excited about.” said Brautovich.

Brautovich interest in radiology stemmed from his grandfather’s illness and his visualization of how medical professionals helped him. Diaz had a particular interest in engineering because of her enjoyment of math and science throughout her school years.

“This is not my major, but I find environmental science very interesting.
I was originally very interested in engineering. I have always enjoyed math and science, but Cabrillos engineering program is amazing and incredibly supportive and welcoming” – Diaz

As Diaz and Brautoviuch reveal, a spark of interest in something will help you pursue the major you want.

Me? Journalism has found its way into me; I loved my English and writing classes, and I love to journal my feelings. I even did a poetry slam in elementary school and wrote poems here and there. Growing up, I felt unheard and overlooked. I wanted to change that by writing stories and using my voice to be heard and help others like me. I dream of working in a prominent news outlet, interviewing people in the fashion industry, and being invited to runway shows since I love fashion.

If you like me, someone who got cold feet about going back to school, then take my advice: Don’t be scared! Cabrillo is great at helping students return or start a career path. Both Diaz and Brautovich have spoken about the challenges they face and how Cabrillo has helped guide them in the right direction.

Some solid advice for first-year students from Brautoviuch is not to get too attached to specific majors unless you absolutely love it.

“There are so many great options out there I would explore before committing to one. Get your GED requirements done first while deciding which career path to take. Lastly, use Cabrillo’s services, and the counseling office is such a great way to help,” he said.

Brautoviuch also recommends that new students try to make friends on campus or in their classes while communicating with their professors about their needs and goals.

“Just give it a try, as school is not for everyone, but you can make school for you. If you have a passion or a drive for something, then chase it because there is a path for everyone. It may be tough at first, but there is always a way to succeed.” he said lastly.

Always remember you are returning to school for yourself and no one other than yourself; feeling anxious and nervous is normal, and everyone feels that way. But if you want to change, you have to make a change, which starts with you. When they say, you can’t prove to them that you can.