I wish I was in grade school ~ When there was NO FINALS! :-)

I wish I was in grade school ~ When there was NO FINALS! 🙂.

DARE TO BELIEVE ~

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You are wondering if returning to college is a smart thing for you to do right now. The economy is going through a great deal, money is tight, the future feels uncertain. Think about that for a second. There is ALWAYS going to be excuses and reasons to not go back to school.

when I told my husband that I wanted to return to college, he said if you can find a way to pull it off, go for it. That is exactly what I did. I knew I was going to have to go into debt to do so, but I have faith that it will be OK. The old saying is very true, “If you want something bad enough, you will find a way.”

If you can dream it, work to achieve it. Bottom line. Visualize it, feel it, speak it into reality.

Going back to college as an older adult is very difficult and can be overwhelming. There is work, family and friends, and commitments, You just have to find time management tools. Use calendars, date books, whatever you need to keep track. You will be fine. You will be better than fine ~ YOU’LL BE GREAT!!!

Enjoy the journey.

I wish I was in grade school ~ When there was NO FINALS! :-)

https://adultcollegestudents.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/i-wish-i-was-in-grade-school-when-there-was-no-finals/

Feels like a spiral staircase ~ KEEP ON CLIMBING! ~

https://adultcollegestudents.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/feels-like-a-spiral-staircase-keep-on-climbing/

Don’t build a cottage ~ BUILD A PALACE!!

https://adultcollegestudents.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/dont-build-a-cottage-build-a-palace-2/

When the student is ready~~

https://adultcollegestudents.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/when-the-student-is-ready/

When the student is ready~~

 

 

 

 

This is incredibly true. I remember when I attempted to go to college as a teenager, I was not ready. I blamed my failure on my professors and anything else I could think of. I was not mature enough to take on the challenges of college. However, when I went back to school at 47 years of age, it was significantly different. I was ready.

Returning to college this time was amazing. I allowed myself to open up to the experience. The saying above was very true, when I was ready, the teachers appeared. Going back to college at any age is difficult. The challenges are many and sometimes you feel very lost and overwhelmed. I am here to tell you that you will get through that. Only if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities, open to instruction and direction.

Once you are open to the journey, it will all fall into place. You will be less stressed (now I did not say no stress :-)), I am saying less overwhelmed. The “TEACHER”  may come in many different forms. Not just the instructor. The teacher could be a tutor, or a mentor or another student.

Most Universities offer mentoring programs. This is an excellent way to connect with someone who really knows and understands what you  are going through. The mentor can explain how they did it, what methods they used. A mentor can also point you in the direction you need to go if it is out of their realm. Utilize this program as much as you can and you will find a great friend.

Tutoring programs are also offered. Use them as well. I cannot count the number of times that I went to tutoring, especially in Math and Science. I do not think that I could have successfully completed those classes without the help. Individuals who tutor do it because they truly enjoy it. They do not judge you. They know how hard it can be to pass a class that you struggle with. Do not be shy to ask for help. It is your education and you are paying for it. Make the best of it.

Get to know your classmates. This is a powerful way to get through your class. You can have a study group or just a classmate to cut loose with and maybe go out for dinner and a drink with. You may be surprised as to how many students are just like you. You can help one another.

Now that you the student are ready, let the teaching begin! 🙂

Enjoy your journey.

You took the first step ~ NOW KEEP GOING!

You took the first step ~ NOW KEEP GOING!.

You took the first step ~ NOW KEEP GOING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture made me laugh. I remember feeling just like this the first day I went to class as a 47-year-old college student. It reminded me of everyone looking at me; family and friends who were wondering if I was serious. Then I took the plunge. 🙂 still laughing.

That was the day  that I decided I was no longer going to stay where I was at and it was up to me to make the changes.  I knew it was not going to be easy. I was not even sure of how hard it was going to be. However, here we are. I just graduated with my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. I am starting my Masters in June. I’ve been offered an internship with a Criminal Justice Agency through the Commonwealth Attorney‘s Office. WOW! 🙂 When I took that plunge (still laughing) I did not see all of this ahead of me.

You may be experiencing the same feelings and can relate to this picture just as I can. It looks like a long way down but it is not. Actually, it seems like yesterday that I started my first class. Now my family and friends are proud of my accomplishments and are beginning to see to fruits of all the hard work and sacrifices just as I am.

You took the most important step ~ The first step! NOW KEEP GOING!

Keep the picture of graduation in your mind and what you think and want your future to look like. You are going to make it! 🙂

ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

Don’t build a cottage ~ BUILD A PALACE!!

Don’t build a cottage ~ BUILD A PALACE!!.