Hello, hello, hello, brilliant listeners. Today's library update is that we have a new language learning database. It's called Transparent Languages. And you can find it on the Library Databases page. The account is free with your Durham Tech email and you can learn over 110 languages. If you feel like you're up to that, maybe just start with one. Today's interview is with Brian Moody. He's a Durham Tech student who works here at the Library. Brian has worked with us for a while now and he set to graduate in May. And we are so proud of him. And I wanted to talk to him about how he chose to come to Durham Tech, what his experience has been like, and if he had any advice for his fellow students who are struggling right now. It turns out he had some pretty great advice. Enjoy.
Brian, welcome to the podcast.
Yes, welcome. Thanks for having me. I appreciate it.
Tell us a little bit about yourself so people can get to know you.
Okay, well, my name is Brian Moody. I was born in Texas and my dad was in the military, the army. So yes, I'm a military brat. I moved here from Texas to Fayetteville around the age of 12. I went to junior high chapel, Lewis Chapel, junior high school, went to the high schools I went to one East Smith High School 21st High School. I graduated from Smith in 98. I have four brothers and four sisters.
That's a lot.
Yeah, Ihave a big family. But you know, it's like a ladder of us. But anyway, my favorite color is blue. My favorite sports team. You know, the football I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan. Looking forward to watching the Super Bowl my birthday week. My birthday is on the 2nd, which is coming up Tuesday. Next Tuesday.
Oh, happy birthday. This podcast will be coming out on your birthday.
Oh, wow. Okay, great. My basketball team is the New York Knicks. I'm a basketball fan as well. So that's a little bit about me.
What program are you in?
I'm a major in Business Administration. I'm looking to get associates in applied science.
How did you decide to come here?
Well, the way I made my decision was it was kind of easy because I moved to Durham in 2014 during the spring, which was April. And as I was getting adjusted to the living environment, I knew that I wanted to enroll at a community college. So I did my research. And this was local. Durham Tech was local for me since I was in Durham, and came to the school and find out a little more about the school and everything was going on. And I chose to enroll at Durham Technical College with my major being in Business Administration. I thought that everybody was so helpful.
Well, that's always nice to hear.
Yes.
So you are graduating in May. And yeah, it's something to celebrate.
I'm telling you, it's been a long road. Yeah. Who would ever thought?
Do you have any advice for your fellow students on how to make it to graduation?
I do have some advice for my fellow students and the advice I have, I know we're living in a world where things are changing, you know, and we're living in a pandemic right now. And we're all hoping that, you know, it goes away, we return somewhat to normal, you know. We switched to online learning. Yes. So what has worked for me in the past and present was using my resources. And some of the resources that I found that was helpful to me was one, the CAE, the Center for Academic Excellence, they have great one on one tutors, you know, that will give you the tools that you need to be successful. And that's what helped me. I made an appointment with LaDelta with my math and my English. And you know, I found a tutor that works for me. And that really, really helped me throughout my time at Durham Tech. Another thing that helped, for me, is the library has excellent resources, a great staff that is willing to help and give you the tools that you need to be successful. They have a resource database, that's very helpful. And I remember when we was on campus, that they had other students, you know, and the librarians will have classes in the ERC lab. And that was very helpful. And, and I learned a lot from that to do research on my papers such as English 112, English 111. So that's what helped me and just staying on top of, you know, your assignments and just being mindful of your due dates and reaching out to your instructors. They're here to help you. You might think like, oh, they're tough, but at the end, you know, you'll say, oh, wow, I really I'm really glad I reached out. So that's what helped me.
That's all really great advice. And of course I'm partial to the library bit.
Yes, you could do when I tell you that yes.
And the CAE is a great tip. Del works so hard.
Oh, she does.
She's so awesome.
And I remember English 112 when I was enrolled in that course, and I was like, they don't have one-on-one. But I asked her and she let me. She said, you know, you've been coming for your past other tutors for your English. It's not my favorite. You need it though, in life. So me using the CAE, and I was able to get my tutoring for English 112. I exceeded and I was successful. So Upswing is a great tool I use I was doing last semester for my math. So Upswing was good, 24 hour tutoring seven days a week.
Wow, the CAE is gonna be really excited for all the promotion you're giving them.
Oh, yes.
So while you were in classes, you know, as you look forward to graduation. Did you ever have a moment when you thought you would give up on your degree? And if you did, what got you through it to keep going and finishing?
Yes, to be honest with you my first semester, I never forget, when I enrolled at Durham Tech, I enrolled in like, four classes. And I finished one and I had some personal things going on. And I'm not going to get into much detail. But I withdrew and I took the year, I took the rest of the year off, you know, to get some things that in ordered. And I came back that following year, then next year, and it was challenging, but they had a great resource, that Disability Services. And, you know, you can reach out to counseling and things like that. And I was, it was a little rocky road. But once I once I found my niche, and once I found out that there was resources out there to help me to get me through it. And I stuck with it. And I'm like, that's why I said "Who would have thought" now looking at the ups and downs. I mean, and just motivation that that was me to keep going. And just to strive to be successful in life, knock out this, my last semester. So hey, you were thinking your last semester should be a breeze. But I'm telling you, I'm looking at my assignments. I'm like, Whoa, but I'm staying ahead. So that's great.
That's awesome.
Yeah.
What class? Have you enjoyed the most?
None of them?
Okay, real honesty.
No, that was a joke. But once we enjoy each class, all the classes has their different way of, you know, showing the material and, you know, bringing forth to light. So they all are different in their own way. The class, you know, I learned something different from each class. So they were all very helpful. And like the two classes I got now, they're all right, I see what I'm getting into. No, you know what the work-wise, you know, they're all good.
What are your plans for after you graduate? I know what you previously planned is maybe not the same as what you plan now because of COVID.
Well, the way things are going on now as the economy is not so, not in good shape at you know, as we you know, would hope. But I thought about just looking to get certification and a couple of courses in another program of study. I saw the other students that graduated and took another degree or they got certified or enrolled to get certification. So I thought about continuing my education, continuing as a work study student, and see what goes from there. Yeah.
What was the most recent book you read?
Well, the most recent book, and I thought about it, and had a couple of books, but one of them that stuck out to me, it's a short story. The title is called "Thank you, Ma'am," from Langston Hughes I think it was. It's about a teenager named Roger, he was a troubled teenager, and he tried to steal this lady's purse. She, you know, brought him home, she should put a little whooping on him. But she bought him home and showed that tough love and, you know, made him clean his face and just told him, you know, you should be shouldn't be out here doing this. And she just, you know, let him know. And there's a better way. And I thought that stuck out to me. And it was a great short story. And it made a lot of sense. Cuz you can relate to it today.
Langston Hughes is a classic.
Classic, right.
He stood the test of time for a reason.
Yes, he did. Yes, he did. And I will read up on a little snippet. And I was like, Oh, they were saying something about how se was and everything. And I was like, wow, cuz you got English classes, and you have things that you have to read, you know, that's required, but you would never thought that some things be interesting, you know. Like, oh, I like this. English class short stories, long, you know, essays or literature, you know, sticks out sticks out with me.
And that's, that's really great. Because it's also you said, not your favorite subject.
No, no, but I found something that, you know, that I grabbed to hold on to and I and I could understand it. And comprehend it. Yes. So I enjoyed that.
Well, thank you so much for joining me today.
Okay, thanks for having me. And I hope much success and I just want to let everybody know we're doing great things. We're gonna get through this together.
Thank you again to Brian for joining me on Out Loud in the Library, a Durham Tech Library podcast. And I hope all of you will join me in wishing Brian a happy birthday. I hope it's a really great one. If anyone is not familiar with Langston Hughes, he was a great writer from the Harlem Renaissance. He died in 1967 after writing volume upon volume of plays and poetry, fiction and nonfiction, we have many titles here at the library both by and about him where you can learn more. I hope that you have a brilliant day.