I can’t afford college. I need money for more important things. I have a good job now. What good will college do? I have no one to watch my kids.

All of these reasons and many others are ones we use to keep us from getting the degree we dream of achieving.

“I feel like my family and education are both important, but at the moment I have to take care of my main responsibilities,” said Raul Gonzales, an undecided freshman.

With tuition rising, many students find it difficult to support a family and pay for an education. Tuition, fees and the cost of books can put anyone into debt. For students who need support in this area, Financial Aid can really help out.

The government has many programs available. In addition, many scholarships help lessen students’ loads. However, you need to give yourself time to pursue these resources.

Life is all about growing up, finishing school and finding a good-paying job, but not everyone follows this path. Many people choose to educate themselves while in the job they have and follow the ladder of promotion instead of spending money on a degree. On the other hand, some people, like Jennifer Franklin, believe differently.

“Education opens us up to new opportunities and new ideas. It prepares you for your goals, and once a person starts learning, they rarely stop,” said Franklin, an Anthropology and Fine Arts freshman.

For students who have trouble finding a childcare provider, people who don’t have access to a vehicle, and those whose work schedule is different from day to day, the Alamo Community College campuses have made it easier for students with obstacles to obtain a degree. Students may attend classes online, at night or even weekends. You may sign up for the classes that work best for you and your situation.

College can be very stressful, like we sure do have too much on our backs. If you feel that it’s too much and you want to stop, why not try talking to your adviser or a counselor? Never think that you are alone on this journey. Sometimes what a person needs is a good listener to help them through a tough time.

Dorothy Ulcak, an Associate Professor of Counseling, and seven other full-time counselors are on staff to give a listening ear to students who have nowhere to turn. Ulcak said that there is power in talking.

“The talking helps you understand the problem, and helps you respond and manage it,” she said. “Talking is like letting the stress out. Talking really helps that steam lift. The answers are inside you. You just need somebody to ask you the right questions.”

Money, childcare, work schedule and many other reasons can keep us from finishing school. Diana Nystedt, an English professor, said that some students enroll for the wrong reasons.

“Some students set unrealistic goals by working 50 hours, having kids and attending school full-time,” she said. “It is an honorable decision to say I’m not ready and come back later.”

“Students who do well have a goal. They know what they want. They’ve seen what their life is like without an education,” said Nystedt.