By Abigail Ofous
Trinity Times Correspondent

From the time Juanita Gonzalez was a young girl, she dreamed of furthering her education beyond high school.

When she entered college in her mid-20’s, Gonzalez defied the odds by pursuing higher education on her own terms. 

Entering Trinity Washington University on the Conway Scholarship – available to residents of the District of Columbia, and the Maryland counties of Prince George’s and Montgomery – she began her post high school studies and eventually got into the nursing program. 

“Pursuing higher education opens doors,” said Gonzalez, who has always believed that a degree brings a myriad of opportunities. 

As a full-time student living on campus, Gonzalez has not always found it easy to balance her academics and her job as a receptionist at Trinity’s Payden Academic Center.

“Nursing school is very challenging,” Gonzalez told Trinity Times. 

Students who work while enrolled in school can see negative impacts on their education, including depressed grades and a lessened ability to retain information, according to the American Association of University Professors.  

Gonzalez has faced some of these challenges. 

“I tend to focus my attention when I’m at work,” she said, “and then my schoolwork will start lacking.” The reverse also happens when prioritizing school over work, cycles she finds worrisome.

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, time management issues can create quantifiable, negative impacts on a person’s level of distress. 

Between getting an education, juggling a job and managing a personal life, time management is one of the biggest challenges students face.

Gonzalez’s stress mostly affects her exams, her daily schedule, and overall decisions about her academic future. Being away from family adds a whole new level of anxiety. 

Gonzalez has sought and received immense support from her family, her closest friends and professors. This has helped her maintain a positive attitude.

“There will be times where life gets in the way,” Gonzalez said, “but when something happens, don’t lose sight of the end goal.” 

She advises Trinity students to keep moving forward, despite the complications they face.

Micheyla Stoney, a Trinity forensic science major, started her academic journey in the forensic science field in 2020. “I’ve always had a passion and a love for science,” she said.  

Stoney was inspired to enroll in the university by her sister’s graduation from Trinity and decided to attend the same institution. 

Stoney and her sister are grateful for their educational opportunities, especially since the family in which they were raised didn’t place the same emphasis on obtaining a college degree.

Now, however, both parents are proud their daughters took the chance to further their education, an opportunity they did not have.  

According to a study by the U.S Education Department’s National Center for Education Statistics, the children of parents without degrees were less likely to graduate college due to economic and social hardships. 

This influence was observed from the very beginning of the Stoney sisters’ involvement in higher education, as they received little support while submitting college applications.

Stoney is not only a full-time college student, but also accepted work in a demanding internship as a forensic science technician. The road has not been easy.

The heavy workload of her coursework plus working long hours in the internship has caused a series of time-management challenges. 

Forensic science internships can involve assisting in lab tests, such as DNA analysis and fingerprint examination, which requires a lot of attention. Additionally, working in settings like crime scenes can be physically and emotionally draining. 

To further complicate her situation, Stoney struggles with imposter syndrome as a forensic science major – a psychological phenomenon in which people doubt their skills, talent or accomplishments and fear being seen as a fraud. 

“In the STEM field,” Stoney said, “students may feel like they can’t do (the work) or are not capable of doing it.” 

Despite the challenges, Stoney remains determined to succeed in her field. She draws strength from her passion for forensic science and the support of family and her mentors.

“There are days when it feels overwhelming,” Stoney said, “but I remind myself why I started this journey. My love for science and the desire keeps me going.”

Dedication to her studies and internship has helped motivate other Trinity students facing similar struggles and her journey is proof of resilience and the importance of pursuing her dreams, no matter the obstacles.

“I believe that getting an education is investing in my future,” said Alexa Amaya, a junior majoring in nursing at Trinity. 

Amaya is the first in her family to go to college and believes it’s “a blessing” to have an education. 

The Maryland resident has always had the aspiration of becoming a nurse and hopes to become an advocate for women of color and Latino patients she’ll work with in the future. 

She points out that the Hispanic community has a low percentage of nurses. 

According to a census done by the Department of Health and Human Services, 5.7% of nurses are Latinos, revealing the lack of underrepresentation of Latino nurses in the healthcare field. 

As a full-time college student, Amaya had dealt with low-self-esteem and insecurity in her education. 

When she began her nursing program she felt very much alone in her environment, because she did not know anyone. As a result, she pushed through her loneliness and began making connections with other people.

“Balancing two jobs and nursing school has not been easy but it takes a lot of discipline,” said Amaya, who also works 12 hours a week as a nursing assistant. 

Nursing students are required to manage their coursework, clinical rotations, and job duties. 

“Students often face significant challenges when balancing work and academics,” said Ayesha Shabazz, a student success advisor at Trinity. “Effective time management and seeking support from available resources are crucial for success. At Trinity we work with students who are working full time and part to manage their school schedule in a way to not interfere with their work.”

Shabazz also emphasized the importance of community support. 

“Having a strong support network, whether it’s family, friends, or mentors, can make a difference in a student’s academic journey,” she said. “We encourage students to reach out and take advantage of the resources available to them.”

Amaya emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and maintaining a clear schedule to stay on top of her commitments.

Despite the challenges, Amaya remains determined to continue achieving her goals. 

Her successes have come in developing good time management skills, a supportive network of friends and family, and the resources provided by Trinity. 

“It’s all about staying focused and not being afraid to ask for help when you need it,” Amaya added. 

Like Gonzalez and Stoney, Amaya’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of community support.

“Never give up on your goals,” she said, “and remember that you are capable of achieving great things.”