True Cost of Education

So now, ending my second class in college and about to begin another, I still find learning exciting and new. Though some of the nonsense and garbage that surrounds attending college is almost unbelievable. With all the effort they put into recruiting you, you'd think that they would actually follow through with guidance or lead new students to a path that would keep one wanting to return, let alone stay at that particular school or campus. The only thing I am sure of at present is how wrong my choice was.

Every day I do an assignment or having to log on, I get a feeling of dread. Not because I have work that needs to be done or my grades(which I am doing well 94.6 average so far). I have found something valuable each time, either researching, reading, or even preparing. Finding confidence and pride typically after my tasks are graded. The anxiety and impatience of waiting for the instructor to give me my grade is unnerving but rewarding nonetheless. Setting a personal goal of achieving a mention or well-earned spot on the Dean's list is one thing that drives me to work as hard as I do. Unfortunately, to become an alumnus at a particular school for a loved one is no longer here to witness this journey.

After twenty-five years of not being in a classroom setting, let alone finishing it properly. This winter, I was able to graduate High school with a diploma, not a GED. I took a lot of pride in it because I refused to settle and put in the extra research and effort, and the reward was more than I gave credit for. The personal accomplishment, let alone proof that I have a brain (of sorts) and actually not as dumb as I consider myself. Though with the sweets come the sour of things.

Saturday, I put one more course behind me and one step closer to finishing with a degree. In this choice of higher education, I've discovered I more than enjoy being back in a learning environment. With some of the personal challenges of mental health, I honestly thought that being back in school, assignment workload, and everyday life would be more than I could handle. However, unexpected scenarios or unforeseen emergencies are the only time it becomes a bit straining. If any mother or single father reading this can relate and understand that returning to school is not done quickly. Being a non-traditional student, first-generation, meaning my parents did not attend college, nor anyone in my family but one cousin. So, literally learning or should say stumbling through applications, grants, scholarships. In addition to assignments and responsibilities with my courses. Making mistakes and correcting them as I go along. I can say without question that pushing myself through some of the processes has got me some rewards and problems at the same time. One of the best calls I've made was getting advice from Mos.com. This site helps you find grants and scholarships as well as help you with your financial aid packages. Someone like me with no one to ask or a mentor in the higher education process has been so wonderful I can not even begin to explain. If you are a high school student, college student, or non-traditional and can relate to finding ways to pay for college, please look them up for yourself. Do your own research, and you will see what I did, a light at the end of a very lonely tunnel.

When I started this process, I reminded those in my immediate circle of the demanding time, energy, and concentration that would be put towards school and how my schedule would not be as open as it has been in the past. As I like to say, I was getting my ducks in a row. So this would be an easy transition from homemaker to full-time student. Oh, how naive I have been and how I wish I'd taken some more time to research and go over things instead of jumping right in, both feet.