Were you looking at all the ads in the papers and thinking about college? Did you wonder how you could put one foot in front of the other to get into the door? Me? College? Yes you --- College! Taking the first step is hard but very much worth the jitters. Just because you dropped out of school does not mean you cannot learn. We are your community college and we can assist, but you need to take the first step. Take one credit course or even one course for no credit, and make a test run. Put one foot in front of the other, and take one step at a time.
During the 2005-2006 school year, 2,129 students dropped out of high school in New Hampshire. Nationally, an estimated 1.2 million students failed to graduate. That equals about 7,000 dropouts per day. What happens to these teenagers? Do they become lost and disconnected from society?
People who do not have a high school diploma are four times as likely to be unemployed, and even more likely to end up on welfare. High school dropouts are less likely to find full time, year round work than people with a college degree will find. A high school dropout is estimated to earn $1 million in his or her lifetime, but someone who graduates high school is estimated to earn a quarter of a million dollars more. People who receive associate degrees earn an estimated half a million dollars more than people who do not graduate from high school. People who go on to receive even more education, bachelor's, master's and beyond, will earn an estimated million dollars more than those who do not graduate from high school.
Your community college can help. Traditionally, community colleges have helped fill the gaps when it comes to student learning. Community colleges are seen as an educational opportunity for all people, all ages, with all learning abilities. Community colleges adapt to community needs, re-training dislocated workers, educating mothers who wish to go back to school, and helping high school dropouts receive their GED so that they can further their education. Your community college offers remedial, “pre-tech” courses, getting students back on track and refreshing their skills. Community colleges offer pathways to those who may have thought there was no hope.
Kelley Emerson, a recent community college graduate, spoke at the American Association of Community College's All USA Academic Team 2007 recognition ceremony. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school, and the first to attend college. In her speech, she said, "Before attending college, my life was only an unending battle of hopelessness and helplessness. It is now filled with the belief that my options are limitless, and through the community college's guidance I have found that I can and do make positive contributions to society." She continues on to talk about how her husband is also attending a community college. "My family is breaking a cycle of poverty they have been in for generations. We would not have been able to, if a community college hadn't cared enough to show us how."
Kelley is just one example of someone whose life has been changed by furthering her education. High school dropouts do still have a chance at gaining an education. Community colleges can help show them the way.
New Hampshire Community College-Berlin has helped show numerous high school dropouts the pathways to furthering their education. The NHCC system offers open enrollment, meaning anyone who has earned a high school diploma or GED can be accepted. The College offers coursework that will help students who are hesitant about their skills get back into the swing of studying. Courses are offered during the day, at night, and even online for the convenience of all students. NHCC-Berlin also has a Learning Center right on campus that offers tutorial and other services for students who need extra help.
New Hampshire's high school dropouts do not have to settle for low wage jobs. There are resources that can help them get back on track to better their future. NHCC can help show the way. It is not too late to come and find your way this semester. Take that first step!
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