Wow! The last time I attended any college was Spring 1985. I attended Tarleton State University for one year and then decided to get married (one of my more stupid mistakes in life) and quit school (another stupid mistake). I divorced the more stupid mistake in 2008 after 22 years of marriage and continued living in the Austin area where we had settled and been for approx. 20 years.
I was born and raised in Alpine and my parents are still here. My mother is ill and in the nursing home. I made a bold move in June 2010. I quit my job, packed up everything and everyone, left my 1-1/2 year old house vacant and moved back home. I was fortunately hired by SR within a week of arriving here. This opened the door for me to continue my education and correct the other stupid mistake in my life. I began this education resurrection with a Mid-Winter online course. Oh boy! I was thinking that a two-week course would get some fast credits, which will help me get to my degree goal quicker. However, things are different now than in 1985. First, I was single and living in the dorms in 1985 and didn't have anyone but myself to look after. Now, I'm single again, but am working to make a living to support my three children, myself, my pets, and help my parents as I can. Second, I've never taken an online course and didn't know what to expect. I'm used to lectures, assignments given in class, several days to complete the assignment, and turning it in on PAPER (yes, believe it or not, I remember what a typewriter and ball point pen are-and I used them). The two-week course is turning out to be a whirlwind of assignments accessed by blackboard and email, short time frames to get work done, squeezing this in around my work hours, and my kids are hogging the computer. (I was finally successful in getting my internet connection working this past Tuesday at home and my kids are beside themselves that they can get online again after 7 months without it.) So, I have procrastinated with several assignments until I can get up on the weekend before they wake up to accomplish something in peace and quiet. However, the peace is shattered when my cats try to follow the cursor on the screen and block my view of the computer and then stand on the keyboard deleting what I just typed. I'm spending half of my time putting them down on the floor, just to have them jump up on the computer table again and in lightening speed step on the keyboard again. The other half of my time is spent stopping the new puppy (new in our household since New Year's Eve) from chewing through the computer cords.
I consider the completion of this blog a great accomplishment indeed! If I am successful in finally obtaining a bachelor's degree, it will be one of the most important days in my life and well worth the uphill climb. And it is going to be an uphill climb and the hill is very large and steep and looming in front of me.
i like your blog topic. most people would not have returned to school after so many years. it's good to know you're motivated and are willing to learn. this hill we are climbing is steep but i know we will learn alot from this class. good luck, i'll be watching the most stuff you put up on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI applaud your decision and the effort you are making in obtaining you degree. Keep up the hard work, and I wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteI commend you for your decision to go back to school. I can relate to your position in deciding to return to school. Whether you go back 5 years later or 25 years later it is always hard. I think this blog will enable you to put things in perspective. When you begin to fill overwhelmed share those feelings on this blog and I know you will get positive feedback and several offers to help in any way that we can. Good luck with your second tour of duty in college!
ReplyDeleteI've returned to school for a couple of reasons. One, I cannot make the same salary in Alpine as I did in Austin without a degree. Second, I can't very well impress on my kids the importance of going to college if I don't follow thru with my own education. However, by the time I graduate with a degree at the much slower pace of taking only 6 hours per semester (because I'm working too), all of my kids will be old enough to have earned their own degree before me. But, at least I'm trying to set the example.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, the comments from your fellow students on this blog are very encouraging. I hope others read your blog and learn from your experiences.
ReplyDeleteIn the ASBT program, we have and have had many students who are pursuing their degrees after a long absence. I won't name names, but these people are SO PROUD of their accomplishments. Their livelong dreams were to finish that degree, and now they have. They are all successful in their careers.
Over the last four years, one of our grads walked across just after she turned 63. Another man from Houston, who we have known for 41 years, told us over dinner 18 months ago that he had always regretted not finishing his senior year and getting the degree. As it stands now, he WILL earn his B.A. in August 2011 from SRSU. He has taken his courses online. He and his family are so proud. We can't wait to see him walk across the stage; my guess is that he will do a little dance, throw his mortarboard in the air, and shout out as this milestone is accomplished.
For all of you younger students, get 'er done now; don't wait 41 years. It's so hard to do later.
Well, I think I'm catching up on my homework today. I was hoping to accomplish something yesterday (Fri.) at work. But, alas, the powers that be caused the phones to ring constantly and sent every prospective and current student in the world thru our front doors. I was so very tired when I got home. So, rather than accomplish any homework at work, I didn't get any of it done. And it didn't get done at home either. I took a nap. Sweet, sweet sleep. So I am up this morning since seven working on homework. I hope to finish today so I can have the rest of my three day weekend to finish other things I have put off as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your life experience to all of us, and I think you are great example to follow in accomplishing your goals. Your kids should be proud of you and I think they are. We are proud of having you in this course and good luck in your future.
ReplyDeleteReturning to school after so long an absence has been a challenge. Not only am I a single mother, holding a full time job, providing for my family, and trying to help my parents, I have the challenges of learning to become educated through a whole different set of means. The ability to have a virtual classroom setting and do everything from the comfort of your computer definitely has its advantages, but you lose the face-to-face interaction among students and professor. One day (if not already) classes will be held through Skype and other video conferencing settings. I'm sure I might see some of this as I continue toward my degree (as it will most likely take me several more years to accomplish). I am glad I made the decision to come back to school. It will prepare me to assist my kids thru this process when they get here. Otherwise, I would have been from the 'dark ages' and I wouldn't have been much help for them.
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