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56 G.I. JOBS | JUNE 2017 | GIJOBS.COM It was great to find a little bit of that here at school and I'm a sucker for war stories. If you could redo your transiঞon to school, what would you do differently? Garcia: I think I would have started at the community college first and then transferred to the university. I think the classes at the community college are a little slower pace and that would have worked out for me a little better. I struggled my first semester at URI due to the time management and working. It took a while for me to get into a "student" routine. Are there any blunders you would urge service members transiঞoning to a post-military educaঞon to avoid? Garcia: I didn't have any issues transitioning school-wise; I think it was more of an emotional struggle for me. Talk to someone about it. Change can be hard, especially when you don't know what's next. I like to have a plan. What is your best advice for such transiঞoning service members? Garcia: There are A LOT of resources available to veterans. Learn them, use them. Apply for military unemployment, apply for health care through the VA; these are things I found out later. Sometimes it's hard to ask for help or information, but you have to. There is a lot out there and people want to help. Use the veteran resource centers – they are useful. STUDENT VETERAN Lisa Garcia Degree: Earning bachelor's degree, medical laboratory science- biotechnology track University of Rhode Island † Expected graduation: May 2018 Other credentials: Certified Pharmacy Technician Age: 27 Military Service: Petty Officer Second Class (E-5), Navy (2010-2015) Rating: Machinery Repairman Was it challenging aending classes with 18- to 20-year-old civilian students? Garcia: I think there is a little bit of a culture shock; I'm a 27-year-old woman taking classes with 18-year-olds. Which I'm not saying I'm old, but our topics of conversation can be very different, which can make it difficult to connect with those students. What advice would you give to other students to help them adjust to campus culture? Garcia: I would say be open to your surroundings, get the college experience. I've heard a lot of veterans complain about being in school with kids – "traditional students" – but that's part of the experience. I think it's best to dive right in, but that's just me. What has been your biggest challenge so far in pursuing a post-military educaঞon? Garcia: Time management. Being a student is so different from working a full-time job. You go to work, punch out, come home. School is an around-the-clock thing: Show up to classes, study, study some more … it's a big commitment. That was something I had to get used to. What has been the most rewarding aspect or moment? Garcia: Meeting other student veterans. I feel like we are all drawn to each other, which makes sense. That's the biggest thing I missed about leaving the military, those people become your family. † School is a paid client.