Kids, work, life, bad choices, fear: There are plenty of excuses to not further your education, but if you ask for help, you'll find that it is possible.

This was the message from Barbara Sullivan and Woods at Wareham Resident Service Coordinator Maureen Murray during a college fair at the Woods at Wareham affordable housing complex Friday, September 20.

"These kids may not show up at a college fair, but if we bring it to them" they may take advantage of the services, Sullivan explained.

Wareham Middle School sixth grader Noah Wicker was at the college fair, checking out his options far in advance of high school — or for that matter, middle school — graduation. Wicker said that ideally he'd like to be a professional football player, but is looking to study either accounting or criminal justice when he goes to college.

"I'm looking at college already because it's good to figure out what you want to do at a young age," he said.

While nothing is set in stone yet, Sullivan hopes to hold a college fair at Brandy Hill in the future.

"I know that the people that live at Brandy Hill and Woods at Wareham are like other parents in that they want the best for their kids," said Sullivan. "Wareham kids are awesome. We want to make sure every one of them know what's available to them."

Murray said that one of her tasks is to assist residents with job placement, and education goes hand in hand with that goal.

"I basically help people moving on with their lives," she said. "Education has to be a part of it."

Massasoit Community College and Bristol Community College representatives were on hand with brochures and advice for future collegians.

While Massasoit's main campus is in Brockton and Bristol Community College's is in Fall River, each school has satellite campuses closer to Wareham, as well as online classes.

This is vital for people who would like to go to school, but whose efforts are stymied by not having a reliable car.

"I think one of the biggest obstacles is transportation," said said Donna Lacouture, coordinator of the Wareham Family Planning - Health Imperatives program.

Lacouture says that in her line of work, she often runs into frustrated young mothers who want to go back to school, but don't know how to overcome the obstacles between themselves and the classroom.

"I would love to see some off-campus sites in Wareham," she noted. Young mothers "really want a chance to enhance their educations."

Peter Johnston, dean of academic advising and assessment at Massasoit, said that people shouldn't be intimidated by heading back to the classroom, no matter how much time they've had off between high school and college.

"There's lots of free tutoring, lots of free counseling," Johnston said. "We really want to see students succeed."

Bristol Community College Senior Special Program Coordinator Amy Marden noted that no matter what challenges life has thrown at a person, it is possible to attain an education.

"We have plenty of people who have families and work full time," she said, adding that online courses can help alleviate some of the stress associated with getting to campus.

Jenna DeBortoli, admissions counselor for Bristol Community College, added that 50% of the students there are over the age of 21, and there are developmental courses to help those who may have forgotten some of the things they learned in high school.

"We get them up to speed," she said.

If you are interested in college and need financial aid, Barbara Sullivan is available to help. Sullivan can be reached at 508-209-3621.