Sue is back, cheerful and wise
Queensborough Community College rising sophomore Sue Singh, from Jamaica Estates, is returning to college in the fall to continue her Associate’s Degree in Psychology, and can’t wait.
Sue is short for Sumanpreet, a name that has its origins in ancient India. Often associated with flowers, it means “cheerful and wise”.
She is.
Buoyant about her plans to transfer to a four-year college and eventually undertake a Ph.D., Sue – who has a 4.0 grade point average – will start her second semester in August. She is on campus for a summer class, as new and other returning students are meeting with advisers to review course schedules and apply for support services offered by Queensborough.
“College is not just for me. I’m doing it for my daughter and her future,” declares the 31-year-old.
She and 8-year-old Sonia, who starts third grade this fall, share the same smile. They visit museums and do homework together. Now and then, the pair duck into Chuck. E. Cheese on Fulton Ave in Hempstead, for a slice and some video games.
It hasn’t always been that way, though.
For the last four years, Sue has been living with severe psoriatic arthritis, enduring numerous surgeries on both ankles and feet, which collapsed, and her back, because of herniated disks. Periods of long recuperation have followed, including a year in a wheelchair in 2015. Now, a regimen of weekly physical therapy and medicine helps her “to live again” and she is thankful to be able to pursue her dream.
“I wasn’t the best in high school. I dropped out and then went to an alternative school before I got my diploma,” Sue continues, describing herself as “a little bit like a teenage rebel.”
“All of these years since, I really wanted to go to college. But I pushed it aside.”
Today, she relies on and appreciates ASAP, Queensborough’s Accelerated Study in Associate Programs. Recognized nationally for improving graduation rates and enhancing student outcomes, ASAP is a comprehensive academic, financial, and career-related set of services. It helps students “connect” to the college community with the goal of timely graduation.
“My advisor, Mandy [Ms. Amanda Tambe], is wonderful. The support is extraordinary. ASAP’s staff really prepare you and they always check on you.”
The former medical assistant researched colleges and compared universities before choosing her mother’s alma mater. Mom, Binamattie (from Guyana), first brought Sue to Queensborough as a 13-year-old.
“The campus is full of opportunity,” Sue explains, hoping to participate in one of the College’s undergraduate research programs next year.
“I tell my daughter to share how she feels, that you never stop learning no matter how young or old you are, and I encourage her to be her own unique self. When I was a kid, I was told that I had to be a certain way. Now, people tell me that I make them feel better by talking to and uplifting them whenever they feel down,” Sue smiles. The future clinical psychologist pictures running her own practice for teenagers one day.
“I’m a nerd. I love College. I was excited when I came here. To see students my age interact with older and younger people and for us to be able to work together – I love it.”
Queensborough classes start on August 27. It’s not too late to register and enroll for classes. Just go to www.qcc.cuny.edu/admissions or call 718-281-5000. The campus is located at 222-05 56th Avenue.
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Picture: Sue Singh, left, with Queensborough Community College Student Adviser, Ms. Amanda Tambe.
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Contact:
Mike Donahue
