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Jillian Terry |
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“Being at Dalton State for two years really prepared me for the
remainder of my college classes,” says Jillian Terry, 21, who is
completing her middle grades education degree at North Georgia
College and State University.
“I felt like I had an advantage over many students because I was
able to adjust to college life while still living at home.”
A graduate of Northwest High School, where she lettered in
varsity softball and tennis, Jillian decided to stay in the area
because she wanted to have the strong foundation in her core
course work that she knew she would receive at Dalton State.
“I felt that I needed to have a good foundation, and I knew that
Dalton could offer the college experience I wanted without the
hassle of trying to adjust to not living at home,” she says.
“My experience here was great from the beginning. I have
wonderful memories of my time here.”
A HOPE Scholar for her entire college career, Jillian will
graduate this spring from NGCSU where she has been named to
Who’s Who in America’s Colleges and Universities, serves as the
Commuter Council representative of NGCSU’s Student Activity
Board, and is president of the middle grades education
professional organization, the Collegiate Middle Level
Association. |
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In addition, Jillian is a member of Sigma Alpha Pi, a leadership
society; Kappa Delta Pi, the educational honor society; and is a
Spirit Sister for Delta Zeta Sorority. And in her spare time,
she plays intramural basketball.
Part of her success, she believes, has been achieved by pacing
herself.
“I think it’s important to start out slowly and not to rush into
every club or organization as a college freshman,” she cautions.
“If I were advising students, I would tell them that it pays to
start out with a strong foundation in your classes, and to add
additional activities to your agenda as time goes by. Try not to
overwhelm yourself. It’s not worth the hassle to try and get
back on track.”
As a freshman at Dalton State, Jillian says she had the
opportunity to work side-by-side with some very knowledgeable
professors, “some of the best, in fact.”
“Every professor I had always worked just as hard as I did in
class to help me whenever I needed extra help or if I had some
problem that I needed advice on. I was always greeted with a
smiling face wherever I went on campus.”
Jillian plans to move back to the area after graduation, and she
hopes to teach in a Whitfield County school if the opportunity
arises. She plans to pursue a master’s in education after she
has at least one year of teaching under her belt.
The Tunnel Hill native has chosen middle grades education partly
because she enjoyed her experience in middle school due to
supportive teachers who were always there for her. She credits
several of those teachers for being role models and for
inspiring her to pursue a career in education.
Her favorite subjects at Dalton State were English and Speech,
so it’s little wonder that she has chosen a concentration of
Liberal Arts and Social Studies in her middle school program.
“My goal for now is to become the best teacher I can be. In the
future, I would like to work as a principal.”
Jillian says if she had it to do over, she would chart the same
course.
“My time at Dalton State was fantastic. It provided a great
foundation for me and helped prepare me for the remainder of my
college career.”
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