I’m a psychology student at Cascadia College, and I chose community college because it just made sense — it’s more affordable and gives me more time to focus on what I love. I wasn’t completely in love with the idea of staying in high school full-time, and this path gave me more freedom to explore my interests and start working toward my goals earlier.
My dream is to become a psychologist, and if possible, I want to work with kids. I’ve always been interested in understanding how people think and why we behave the way we do, but more than that, I want to help people grow. Higher education matters to me because it helps us become more aware — not just of the world, but of ourselves. Learning isn’t only about getting a job; it’s about becoming a better person and helping make society more compassionate and informed.
But honestly, college isn’t affordable unless you’re already well-off. Applying to colleges costs money, and then actually paying tuition is a whole other challenge. It’s something that’s always in the back of my mind when I think about my future. Financial barriers shouldn’t be the thing that stops someone from learning or improving their life.
That’s why I believe guaranteeing the first two years of community or technical college would make a huge difference. It would help so many low-income students who have the motivation but not the means. Higher education should be accessible to everyone — not something you earn only if you can afford it.
I also think a lot about the ways students need support beyond tuition. Everyone has something they’re going through that others might not see — whether it’s housing, food, transportation, or even childcare. Wraparound services can give students that extra bit of stability they need to stay in school and succeed. I wasn’t familiar with programs like benefit hubs before, but I believe expanding them would make a big difference. Sometimes, all someone needs is to know that help exists — that they don’t have to handle everything alone.
For me, education isn’t just a personal goal. It’s a way to build a stronger, kinder world — one where everyone has the chance to keep learning and growing, no matter where they start.