“Reflecting On The Past”

By Terrence Cain

I feel as though the time left at Howard College that I have is going to be over quicker than the blink of an eye. I swear that this week has been a total blur for me. Maybe it's because I'm excited to be graduating soon, maybe it's because I will be at Angelo State this Friday getting registered for my first semester, or maybe it's because I'm just in total shock that I actually made it this far. I find myself being a bit dizzy from the entire thing because I came so close to giving up early on and now here I am within reach of graduating. I really feel that people put far too much stress upon themselves and allow things to be too difficult for them. If we'd just slow down and pull back a bit so that we can look at the broader picture I feel we would be a far better species. I know it's something I should have done long ago myself and something that I should keep doing more often. In retrospect I am very glad I didn't quit in my first semester—or my second—or my third. I'm very proud of myself for not giving up.

I believed back before I started going to college that getting a degree in something was a very important thing to have in one's life. I still believe that, and even more so than I did back then. There is so much uncertainty out there in the world. The economy is improving, but the media is in such a panic over this so-called “Fiscal Cliff” that it makes you feel like your job isn't going to matter come 2013 if they don't fix the problems before the turn of the year. Of course having a degree in whatever your field is wouldn't matter much if we did have a recession hit us over the head again, but I don't think things are going to be as bad as the media portrays either if something isn't done before the start of 2013.

I think with the way the economy is slowly growing, and the way the media over sensationalizes things, it's best to stick it out in college and get your degree. I see so many people, most much younger than I, who give up midway through a semester. It's really sad to see because if they'd just stick it out they'd be okay. And it's not the end of the world if you fail a class either. I failed my second level preparatory algebra class with Prof. Buske my second semester in and was able to pass it when I retook the class my third semester. I just want you all to know that life isn't over if you fail at something. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes, we all fall down sometimes. What's important is that we don't give up. We have to get up off our duffs and fight back and keep trying until we succeed. That's what is important. That's what everyone needs to remember at the end of the day. Giving up should never be the answer to any problem that comes our way. Okay, that's all I wanted to say this week. Next week is the final week before we take our finals. It's going to get a little hectic for us all, but I know we can make it through just fine if we stick to our guns and don't let the finals defeat us. Until next week, this is Howard College's blogging machine saying; “Never give up.”

“Entering The Final Stretch”

By Terrence Cain

Well here we are folks, just a few more weeks and this fall semester will be completed. I feel a little sad though because that means the end for me at Howard College here in Big Spring. Starting in January I'll be attending Angelo State University in San Angelo where I'll be moving forward with this trip I've been on since 2010. It's strange to think I'm that I'm getting closer and closer to getting my associates at Howard. I really thought I wouldn't make it this far, but here I am. I'm very proud of myself to make it this far too. I'll be the first member of my family to have an official college degree of any kind.

These next few weeks are going to be crazy insane. As I write this blog post I am sitting in the lunch room of Angelo State—soaking in the atmosphere and seeing all there is to see—while the lunch room plays some classic Rush and Pink Floyd music. Makes me feel like I stepped back into the 1970s, and that's not something I really expected when I arrived here with the Science Club from Howard College in Big Spring. Everyone here has been exceptionally nice and helpful, just as they were when I showed up at Howard College in 2010.

I feel like time has sped up this semester for me. I feel like I should still be in September, but I guess that's how things go when you're excited and anxious to move forward. I really do appreciate the time I've spent at Howard College. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't change a thing. The things I learned at Howard College has really helped me to define just who I am and what I like about education. Thanks to Professor Tune, Professor Calvio, Professor Davidson, Professor Hobbs, and Professor Buske for being so open to conversations about the subjects I learned from you all. I know I was a difficult person at times, but those difficult times truly helped me to get the things I wanted to know put into a way that was succinct with my thought processes. Well that's all I have to say for now. I'll be back after Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a good time and gets home safely for the holidays. This is Howard College's blogging machine saying; “If it ain't broken, don't fix it.”

“Time...There Isn't Enough Of It”

by Terrence Cain

Oh boy, has this week been a gut buster. I had an Algebra test on Monday, followed by a Speech outline I am having to construct into a concise format that is proving to be more difficult than I thought it would be, and of course the elections Tuesday night were a bit taxing on me. Is the president going to win, what's going to happen if he doesn't? I was very thankful he won and that the Democrats won more seats in the Senate. And a huge congratulations are in order to the state of New Hampshire for being the first state to elect all women of the Democratic Party. A historical mark in this country if I ever did see one. After Tuesday Wednesday definitely felt more relaxed for me.

Still though, I've got an Ethics paper to finish up, a Speech paper to get cut down so it fits just under four minutes in length. Not to mention I have more Algebra to complete before Sunday night, and then I have to schedule several events all at Angelo State so that I can be ready to attend starting next January. This is definitely a harsh week for me. I assure you though I will make it through just fine. Especially now that President Obama has been re-elected.

I know Conservatives hate the fact he won for a second term, but if not for the President I would have not gotten into college so easily. Thanks to his bold moves in overtaking Pell Grants I was able to go to college without the fear of more mounting debt on top of the debt I've already accumulated from losing my job in 2009. Now that I am in college I have a far greater opportunity of getting back to work than I had in the year and a half I attempted to find work before giving up and attending college. I do truly believe though that now is the time for us all to contact our representatives and senators and let them know that they need to work together on getting people back to work no matter what and then getting our debt cut down tremendously. Well that's all there is to say for now. Until next week, this is Howard College's blogging machine saying; “If ifs and buts were candies and nuts, we'd all be having a merry Christmas.”

“Give Me An Inch, And I'll Take A Smile”

by Terrence Cain

Oh yeah, I'm back again this week. It's time for the weekly blog post, folks. Get ready for some crazy antics—or a heart warming story—that will hopefully make you glad you read this. In all honesty I really don't know what will be said because this is all on the fly, so this is going to be just as interesting for me as it is for you. I will try to keep this very short though because I've got a ton of math work to do before Monday's test, plus I have to finish up my ethics paper and get started on my next speech.

I can tell you this. This final week of October has been pretty awesome. I went to a great play on campus [you can read about it in my special article I posted earlier this week right here http://terrence-howardcollege.blogspot.com/2012/10/anight-at-theater-tomb-of-count.html] and then I took a test in Astronomy that I'm feeling pretty confident about. I also did a little Halloween celebration by watching some great 1980s horror films like Killer Klowns From Outer Space, Monster Squad, and Critters.

On November 16^th I'll be going over to Angelo State University to tour its facilities and see how things are done over there before I transfer next January. Should be a great time with the HC Science Club of Big Spring. There's so much I have to get done before next year so that I'll be ready for my first semester at Angelo State, so I'll be getting quite busy over the next couple of months.

Friends, I must advise you strongly to go vote this Friday. It's the last day of early voting before you can vote on the official election day next Tuesday, November 6^th. I honestly think everyone should vote for the President because he's the best man for the job. Of course that's my opinion and everyone should vote for whomever they think is best qualified. Just make sure you get out there and vote. It's the one right no one can ever take from you. Exercise that right, okay?

Stay strong my fellow classmates. This semester is almost over. I know that things can get a bit tough nearing the stretch, but trust me it is well worth getting your degree. I've been seeing a lot of you skipping classes or dropping out all together. You may not think education is all that important, but trust me it's the most important thing you will ever do with your life because it will open so many doors to you throughout your career in whatever field you wish to be a part of. I also strongly urge you to do whatever you can to intern for a company in your field. I know it's a pain that internships pay nothing at all, but I promise you that it will help you tremendously once you get the degree you need to work in that field. Well that's all I have to say for now. I want bid everyone a great weekend. Thanks for reading my posts. I really appreciate the kind words you've all given me in the halls here at Howard College. It makes me feel good to write for your entertainment. This is your friendly neighborhood blogger saying; “All school work and no play makes Terrence something something...”