"From the start of my senior year of high school, I was ready to graduate and head off to college. I grew up in Corinth and the idea of getting out and moving somewhere else, where no one knew me, was so exciting and refreshing. After graduation, I headed off to the University of South Carolina to study fashion.

My experience and time spent there, though short, is something I will always cherish. I met new people to share memories with and open my heart to. About one month after fall break, I found out I was pregnant. Immediately, I knew I had to come home.

Getting a great education was something that was important to me. It was something my family instilled in me ever since I could remember. Dropping out of school was not an option, but I needed to start over. I needed to start saving money for a baby and I needed to be close to home so that I could juggle working, going to school and getting to doctor appointments.

I decided that SUNY Adirondack was the right fit for my new life. I was now a full-time, working mother and student.

I started out waitressing at night so that I could go to school during the day, but quickly realized that it wasn’t going to work with a newborn. I decided to take online classes here, and it gave me the opportunity to work a 9-to-5 job.

Dropping out was not an option for me, and SUNY Adirondack made it so that a degree was always within reach. I graduated in May with Associate degrees in Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences as well as in Business: Management, Marketing and En trepreneurship. I have been able to take advantage of internship opportunities, mai ntain a job and most importantly, be a mom.

To all mothers and fathers who are debating continuing your education, but are unsure of how you will fit it in to your already crammed schedule ... it can be done!"

Marissa Sweet
Corinth, NY
Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences, Class of 2016
Business: Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Class of 2016
#HumansofSUNYADK
#experienceitforyourself