As a wife and mother of two, Lauren Oliver had some naysayers when she decided to return to college full time.
"There's a lot of things you hear, kind of like, 'Oh, you made your bed, you have to lie in it.' Or ... 'Oh, well you had your time to play college. You're an adult now. You don't get to just go off and play college; you have bills and stuff like that.' So that's the most challenging thing, just saying, yes, I'm a full-time student. Yes, I'm going after this. It is liberating; at the same time, it's challenging."
Oliver, a first-generation student, was inspired to go to college because she felt like her life needed a healthy trajectory. She has suffered from her own mental health challenges, and her husband was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder. These experiences inspired her to study psychology. Ultimately, she wants to become a licensed clinical professional counselor and earn her doctorate.
At AACC, Oliver has taken the chance to get the full college experience. She's been involved in the Student Achievement and Student Success Program (SASP), taking advantage of tutoring opportunities and assistance with getting textbooks. She was awarded the SASP Most Active Achiever Award at this year's Impact and Excellence Awards for her involvement. She's also part of the Student Ambassador Program and Student Government Association and took part in this year's Student Advocacy Day in Annapolis.
"To me, it's almost as if I'm kind of giving my 18-year-old self the life I would've wanted back then. ... So, I'm nurturing that relationship that I never got to have, so it does feel good. It is scary taking these jumps and these leaps, but like I said, when you have that good support, it's been helpful."
Her level of involvement has allowed her to build a support network at the college that has drowned out the voices of those naysayers who discouraged her from attending college. She advises others who might be hesitant to follow their dreams and passions.
"You're going to find a home here. If you're uncertain and if you are afraid, that's OK. There's people here to kind of help you and there's guidance here, and knowing that you don't have to do it alone, I think that would be my biggest thing."
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