When I signed up for classes at Greenfield Community College I had no idea what lay in store for me. Intuitively I knew that I had found someplace special.
In the fall of 2014 I began attending classes at GCC as a freshman and in every class there was an opportunity for me to stretch myself and leap out of my comfort zone by saying “yes.”
I planted trees, collected seeds, wrote essays outside of class, participated in the UMass Undergraduate Conference and as a result I have re-discovered a passion for science and words all while practicing the tools to convey ideas and support arguments.
I am an environmental science major and I believe that as issues with the climate continue to accelerate it will be necessary to find new ways to protect the uniqueness of vulnerable cultures as their risk of becoming climate refugee’s increases.
I believe at this time on the planet it is necessary to have a broader understanding of how things work and how they fall apart.
My time at GCC has allowed me to explore many areas of study in classrooms, providing me with an opportunity to explore issues from many different angles.
I have completed the application process for both Smith College and Mount Holyoke College and I am now in the most difficult of the application phases: waiting. I hope to attend one of these colleges and continue a course of study that will allow me to not only better understand the shaky nature of our global climate situation but, to allow me to facilitate solutions.
I believe that some of the best solutions will come from those who are impacted the most by these dramatic environmental changes: women and children, who often dismissed out of hand. They need to have people who will stand up for them and make sure they are heard.
As a non-traditional student, I find that I have a different sense of urgency about continuing my education. I have made changes and sacrifices to allow me to attend GCC as a full-time student.
One change was taking a job with a work schedule that would accommodate my class schedule, which in turn meant my earning ability has been stunted — and therefore finances are a constant worry. But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Julia Ann Moore lives in Northampton. She was accepted at both Smith and Mount Holyoke colleges and will be attending Smith as an Ada Comstock Scholar this fall.