"Como-Pickton Class of 2011"

Big Changes for Class of 2011 !

By: Luis Rasgado

"North Hopkins Class of 2011"

Being on your own for the first time could be one of the biggest challenges for those who are really close to their family and begin their college career.. While it is one of the biggest challenges for some, it is also one of the giant motivations for others. While in high school students were surrounded with support and encouragement from teachers and parents. However college poses a different atmosphere, their main motivation to continue their education is now a responsibility for them.

Students who graduate in the top 10 of their class can struggle in their first year of college. Various aspects of the college life can change the person. You could have been the shyest person in high school, but in college you could become the "coolest" person among your peers. In a way, being independent affects people in different ways.

"Yantis Class of 2011"

Sometimes students start to feel homesick and start feeling stressed out because of school, personal conflicts and money. Financial management and budgeting will be entirely a persons responsibility. Most students will have to start a part time job in order to "survive" their first year. This too, increases pressure on the students academic workload, study habits, and success.

Students welcome their new found freedom in many ways. Some make their own decisions about what they want to do each day while in college, without problems, while others may find this level of freedom to be strangely unfamiliar or difficult. Many students from the class of 2011 in the Hopkins County area are ready to depart from home and others are a little scared to leave.

"Sulphur Springs Class of 2011"

Hunter Cain

Hunter is a graduate from Como-Pickton. Just like hundreds of other graduates he is excited, but scared of what to expect in his first year of college. " I am excited, but a little 'freaked out' about leaving my family," said Hunter, "I will be all on my own and their will be nobody to take care of me. It will be just me, I guess that's the point of adulthood."

Hunter is already packed up, he will be leaving Wednesday, August 17 for Dallas Baptist University where he plans to major in Medical Environmental Science.

"I expect my freshman year to be like my freshman year in high school, but ten time worse," jokingly continued Hunter. "It seems that High School never ends. You will start as a freshman and will continue to be one in everything new that you do in life. You will start at the bottom and work your way up, until you reach your goals."

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Cecilia Osornio

"I'm excited to finally leave home and get that independency I have been waiting for," happily expressed Cecilia. "In the beginning my parents weren't too ecstatic about the idea, but now they have warmed up to the idea that I am trying to broaden my future and now they are trying to help me prepare myself for my first year."

Cecilia graduated from North Hopkins High School and will be attending the Fall 2011 semester at Texas A&M University-Commerce where she plans to Major in Spanish and seek a teaching certificate. She is getting prepared to leave on August 24. "I think my first year will be challenging," continued Cecilia, "I am going to have to get used to not living with my parents, being able to work and trying to pay my college expenses. I'm hoping to handle my independency well and hopefully get used to all the freedom, by making wise choices."

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Gerardo Martinez

Gerardo graduated from Sulphur Springs and will be attending UT Tyler in the Fall to Major in Mathematics. He has always been attached to his family and for him, leaving his house has been a tough decision. "I have a lot of mixed feelings about departing home," explained Gerardo "I am excited because of the new freedom, yet scared because of all the new responsibilities of living on my own. I just expect to meet a lot of people and get involved with campus activities my first year, and most importantly enjoy the college life."

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Ezequiel Sandoval

Ezequiel is a graduate from Yantis High School and plans to major in secondary education and minor in business. He says that he is prepared for whatever life brings his way!

"I feel great, I am ready to take on new obstacles and see what life has in store for me!" excitedly expressed Ezequiel. " I move out on the 24th. My parents don't want their little boy to leave, but they are happy and proud of me." "My expectations for college are really not that high, but I do expect it to be more challenging than high school and I hope I manage it well. Being independent is a big responsibility, but at the same time I am going to make the best of it!"

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Adriana Sanchez

"I feel excited about leaving home. I leave August 24th and my mom doesn't really want me to leave, but it's something that we all have to do once we reach adulthood, and we can't always depend on our parents. They're really just a 'phone call' away, aren't they!" related Adriana. "I like to be challenged and I believe my first year of college will be exciting and hopefully I will have tough classes to help expand my horizons."

Adriana, will be attending Texas A&M Univeristy-Commerce and major in Sociology and minor in Agricultural Economics.

Best of Luck to
The Class of 2011, in College!!!

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