Restarting My Education

Restarting My Education

Here I am, 47 years old, and going back to college. It's not as if I really had to go. I have a good job, my children are grown and in college and I barely have any time for myself with the other activities I'm involved in. These are the reasons I kept telling myself for years. Then my boss and close friend received a promotion with the condition that she finish her education. I watched her do it and saw that it wasn't as intimidating as I thought it might be. I decided that instead of listing all the reasons I shouldn't go back to school, I should list the reasons why I should. I choose to go back to school to set an example for my children, to put myself in a position for further growth with my company and to improve my own self-esteem.

When I was growing up my parents always told me how important it was to complete my education while I had a chance. What I saw however, was that they did just fine without going to college themselves. I didn't understand how much harder they had to work at it, and how much they wished they had the opportunities that I had. I was stubborn and thought I knew what was best. I went to college for a couple of years but did not take it seriously and then dropped out at the first opportunity. I thought it was more important to make a living to have all the things that I wanted. My parents had offered to pay for my education as long as I worked part time to cover the extras. Oh, how I wished I had that opportunity now! Soon enough I had two children and a shiftless husband to support and the opportunity was gone. The day I called Mom to tell her about my choice to finish what I had started she surprised me. "Mom, I know you were disappointed when I dropped out of college", I said, "But I'm going back!" Mom replied, "I really am struggling not to say I told you so. I'm not going to do it. Instead I'm just going to say I'm proud of you." Moms are the best!

I have told my children since they were small that college was not an option but a necessity. Unfortunately I have heard from them more than once that dreaded phrase, "But Mom, you don't have a degree and you do just fine!" They are both attending college right now and doing well, but I hate the thought that they might follow in my footsteps. Returning to school is my statement to them that education is vital. If I can do it while holding down a demanding full time job, running a household and working as a part time youth minister, then they can do it too. I think that they see themselves in a new light as tutors and they help me by offering suggestions. My son and I have been helping each other with our writing. I have always been his sounding board but now he can return the favor my reading my work. It's