Student Spotlight - Bryana Shepherd

What motivated you to go to college?

I didn’t graduate high school; I dropped out a month into my senior year. I ran a restaurant for ten years and then moved on to a café. The café I worked had a toxic environment. I went home most days after work in tears, ready to just quit. After one particularly rough shift I finally decided I had enough. I wanted a job where I felt fulfilled and I wanted to make my kids proud of me. To show them that you can always redirect your life when you want to. So I took the leap, quit my job and went back to school.

Why did you choose EvCC?

I chose EvCC for two reasons. The main reason was because of EvCC and Western Washington University’s cooperative program leading to be able to earn my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Services right here in Everett. The second reason was the proximity to my kids’ school and daycare. That gave me peace of mind that I was close enough in an emergency meaning I would be able to focus better while in class.

What are you studying at EvCC?

I am studying Human Services. I want to earn my Associate in Arts & Sciences-Direct Transfer.

What advice do you have for students who are learning online for the first time?

Set your Canvas notifications, so you get notified for everything. This helps so you don’t miss assignments or announcements posted by your teachers. If you can, link your email to your phone so all the notifications are going to both your laptop and your phone. I never missed anything this way, leading me to feel more on top of my schoolwork.

Utilize the online Tutoring Center. The few times I have submitted assignments with them was helpful. They give good feedback, and you can even leave them notes about specific things you want help with, like grammar.

What advice do you have for students returning to school after a long break?

Don’t give up halfway through your first quarter. I promise it gets better. By the third week of classes I felt like giving up, that I had no idea what I was doing, and that I was going to fail all my classes. I honestly was going to give up, but then things just started clicking. I figured out a study routine that worked for me, and I stopped questioning myself.

 Reach out to your teachers! They are your biggest resources and will help you get through your return to school.

As a mother of a one-year-old and a seven-year-old, what advice would you give to other parents balancing school and family commitments?

Caffeine…Lots and lots of caffeine! Just kidding, sort of. Finding that balance is hard and there are going to be days you feel like a failure, but you can’t dwell on it or it will hold you back. Keeping a positive mindset really does help get you through the times where you are exhausted and staring at an assignment that needs to be done.

Utilize any free moment you have. I utilize my one-year-old's naptime to focus on school as well as when both kids go to bed. I also set up an area in the kitchen where I can study while I’m making dinner and because I have an open kitchen, I can still be a part of what my family is doing.

Don’t feel guilty about not doing your schoolwork all day. Spend time with your family. Same goes for taking time to focus on your schoolwork. Don’t feel guilty. Always keep in mind that you are bettering your future, which ultimately will be beneficial for your family.

What equipment do you have at home for online learning?

For online learning at home I have a laptop and a printer. The printer for me was a must have because I am a visual learner and needed the assignments printed off.

What has been your favorite class, and why?

General Psychology is my favorite class. My teacher, Grace Kim, is awesome. She set us up to succeed by providing video lectures, power point presentations and even optional virtual office hours where we could go discuss the material and get further clarification. I also really enjoyed learning about psychological disorders. There is so much stigma behind them, and I loved that it was cleared up for me.

What are your future career goals? Why did you choose this career path?

My future career goal would be to work for the domestic violence center. I chose this path because in my late teens through my mid-twenties I was in an abusive relationship. When you go through something like that you feel like you can no longer relate to your friends and family. Having been in that situation, I would be more relatable to the clients and you need that connection to help you through healing. The domestic violence center also offers amazing resources and the people I have met that work there are incredible. It would be an honor to work with them.

Anything else you want to add?

If you start to feel overwhelmed while doing your schoolwork/studying, take a break! Even if you step away for five minutes and grab yourself a snack. When I start to get overwhelmed, I make no progress causing even further frustration. Once I start to feel that way I step away, and when I am ready to begin again, I feel like I can properly focus.