by Julie M. Fidler
UACCB Freelance Writer
BATESVILLE - Although she works two part-time jobs, more than 40 hours a week, helps care for 11 cousins and takes on a full course load, one University of Arkansas Community College student doesn't think she's doing anything special. Linh Tran of Batesville is a first-semester freshman who seems to know a thing or two about time management.
Tran graduated from Batesville High School this spring, but she already had some credits at UACCB. Her junior year, she attended school while working three part-time jobs.
The North Carolina native grew up in Batesville. Her parents moved to Arkansas when she was a toddler to be near her mother's family. Her parents, both originally from Vietnam, met in North Carolina and married there.
Tran, who is taking a 13-hour course load this semester, has her work cut out for her in the evenings. She waitresses at Tai Lee restaurant, owned by her aunt, and helps out at another aunt's nail salon, Nails Spa. There, she sets appointments, helps clients and cleans up after manicurists. From there, it's on to her grandmother's house where she feeds and takes care of some of her younger cousins and helps others with schoolwork.
"I come in like the enforcer," she says about her approach toward her cousins. "I'm the oldest of my cousins and I have 11 of them, ages 3-16. I'm the one that says, 'Do your homework.'"
When does she fit in time for her own studying and homework? "Very late at night," she said.
Currently, Tran's classes are mostly in general education, but she said she would like to get an associate of science degree in science and major in biology.
After graduation she plans to take advantage of a transfer scholarship and go on to either Lyon College or Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. "I want to work toward a bachelor's in biology right now," she said. "I'm contemplating about pre-dental and want to stick to biology. I want to be a dentist, so I might try that, and if I want to go further, I might be an orthodontist."
Tran said she's enjoying going to school at UACCB. "It's nice because it's community-based," she said. "It's more relaxed here. It's great because most of the people look familiar here, so either you know them or kind of know them."
She said she would recommend UACCB to individuals that are thinking about going to college. She said the faculty are easy to work with and understand that it's been awhile since you've covered some of the material. "If you need to talk to them, they're always there in their offices or after class."
She also had praise for the staff as well. "The ladies in the business office, enrollment and financial aid - I think I've asked them maybe a hundred questions since I've been here. They're really understanding and patient about even answering the same questions over and over again."
Tran was active in Key Club in high school and has joined the college version of the organization, Circle K International.
