Vinh Tran

When I first entered Highline, I did not take it too seriously.  The transition from high school to college was tough for me.  I did not have much motivation.  I had low self-esteem and was such a procrastinator I came close to not going to college at all.  Luckily for me, a good friend of mine filled out the application for me and I was accepted. 

Growing up in a Vietnamese family, my parents expect far too much from me.  The only thing they ever want to see is the letter A or the number 4.0.  The only three professions they want me to pursue are priest, lawyer, or doctor.  My parents are such kidders.  Most of the time I just ignore what they say, but more and more, I try to keep their words in the back of my mind.  I helps me to keep the pressure on myself.  I need that extra push sometimes.

In high school I did not take things seriously.  All I worried about was being cool and hanging out with my friends.  Schoolwork was toward the bottom of my priority list. But the difference between the students in high school and the students at Highline is that the students at Highline actually have goals in life!  They want to make something of themselves.  That got me thinking, "Hey, what's the matter with me?  I need to start taking school more seriously!" 

I can honestly say that every class I've taken has in one way or another connected to my academic life.  Things that have clicked for me range from the professors, to the students to the overall environment.  The different styles of teaching that I've encountered helped me find out more about what my interests are and myself.  They showed me what I was good at and what I needed to work on.  The professors that I have had had positive intentions and wanted to help me bring out my best abilities.

My friends also support me in whatever I do.  Most of the time they like to joke around with me.  I have done a lot of drama at Highline and my friends would say "Don't forget the little people when you make it big."  I think that having friends really helps me at times because there are a lot of times when I think negatively about the work I do and getting good support from others helps bring me back on my feet.

I have met so many students at Highline that I have the utmost respect for.  Whenever I get lazy or don't think I have enough time to get a paper done their faces come to my mind and motivate me and make me want to achieve.  In every class I've been in there has always been at least one over achiever who strives in everything they do.  Sometimes, I go up to them and say, "You think you're better than me, huh?  Just watch out, I'm going to try and beat you."  Most of the time my grade ends up a little bit short from theirs but without their academic influence I probably wouldn't be as determined and motivated to achieve on my own.

The people here are so friendly; they've made me feel right at home.  Everyone has a sense of respect for others.  There were lots of times where I would exchange hellos with total strangers.  I think that happens because we know we have something in common: we feel right at home here at Highline!

Vinh Tran is in his junior year at the University of Washington.  He has declared English as his major and is currently enrolled in drama classes.