UCC Mainstream Online

Students share memories of college experience


Melissa Meyhoff
Dennis Wahlman / Mainstream
Melissa Meyhoff

Students are like wild turtles born on the sand. Thousands make the walk to the ocean, but only a small percentage touch the sea. This year’s graduates will leave behind both struggles and fond memories taking what they have learned and applying it to their future.

Melissa Meyhoff, a soon to be graduate, shared some of her feelings about graduation and her plans for the future in an email interview.

Meyhoff has plans to work with Roseburg Watershed in the summer, then transfer to Oregon State University in the fall where she will work on a teaching degree in Human Nutrition as well as certificates in Radiology.

Sometimes, the pathway to a university education can impede the most dedicated student. Meyhoff has faced her own obstacles and had the resolve to keep focused on graduating.

“The gen-chem sequence was the hardest I’ve ever taken, and I had to drop out of the third term.  I’m re-taking it at the university,” Meyhoff said.

“...time to put some big girl panties on and dive into reality.”

—Melissa Meyhoff

University may be more attainable for those who can manage to receive help. The Transfer Opportunity Program is a UCC student support organization that offers free assistance to help eligible students prepare to transfer to a four-year college. Meyhoff is a TOP student.

“TOP is the only reason I’m able to graduate with a useful degree.  They basically held my hand the entire way. I’m scared like hell to leave this campus and my TOP advisers.  But time to put some big girl panties on and dive into reality,” Meyhoff said.

The realization that more challenging, increasingly competitive situations may be coming is on the minds of many graduates.

Amy Lay is planning on graduating this spring with an AAOT and a focus in pre-med.

“I have so many mixed emotions about graduating.  On one hand, I am super excited that after three years I am finally moving forward to the next step in my life.  On the other hand, I am sad to be leaving such an amazing college.  UCC has been good to me,” Lay said.

Amy Lay
Dennis Wahlman / Mainstream
Amy Lay

Lay shared thoughts about the time she spent at UCC and what her plans will be after graduation.

“My fondest memory as a UCC student has been working as a tutor and then as a Success Assistant in the Success Center.  I have made so many great friendships through this job opportunity, and I have learned so many things while tutoring others.  I love to help people in any way I can; It has truly been a great experience,” Lay said.

Lay recalls how the UCC experience helped her prepare for university.

“I believe that I have learned some valuable tools here at UCC that will help with my success in the near future, for example, learning to make connections with instructors, classmates and other staff members in order to get the most out of the education experience. I have also learned real study habits that will follow me for the rest of my life,” Lay said.

Lay will begin attending Oregon State University this upcoming fall. At OSU she is going to be working toward receiving a degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Then she plans on becoming a physician assistant and then hopefully one day becoming a physician.  Eventually she wants to work in medical research.