When I was a teenagers I never really wanted to go to college. The sororities and parties sounded fun but I otherwise was not interested. I did not like school work and did not want to do 4 more years voluntary of harder school work. College was just not for me. Ironically I am hearing the same from my oldest now. Mom, I don't think I will go to college. But he loves school and has a long time to decide that. I have almost no doubt he will change his mind. He want's do be a video game developer.
But at 17 I did go to college. I did not know what else to do. I went for 5 years to 3 different schools. Community college, a Private university, and an international abroad study. There were good parts. I loved traveling the world and through school I was allowed some of the best experiences of my life. If I had time and money I would do so many more international studies and trips. Yes now I can take vacations to all those places but when you go on a student trip it is quite different than a tourist trip. It is a bit more "real". But it did not turn into anything. I was not ready for college or prepared for afterwards. I was to young. It was not the right time in my life for the studying academic part of it. I did not have the right focus and the organizational skills for it. So it all fizzled out to be just an experience I went through.
As I job hopped afterwards for years I knew I was not doing much with my life. I was also very broke and very much in debt. I had raked up tons of student loans with no real job to pay them back. Then I had kids. I wanted more for them better for them. I thought I love these babies I want to help people have babies too. How hard could it be and what would I have to do to become a midwife? I shortly looked into it but as time flew the idea went to the back burner. I found other decent paying jobs but hated them. I continued having more kids and again time just kept flying.
This past fall pregnant with my 5th child and working in a job I like but does not cut it financially, and the help of a Joel Oestien book Your Time Is Now, I again thought about the idea of going back to school to do what I want to do and will be the avenue to afford all these kids. The what if's hit, if I would have started this when my first child was born I would be WELL done by now. But I quickly squashed that. I can't complain about a what if I can only do from this day forward. With Joel's motivating thoughts in my head, with my older mind that is not shy of hard work and challenges, and a positive attitude I applied for college again as an adult.
Soon I was accepted. Not only accepted by accepted into the pre-medical/biology program. I had looked closer at being a midwife but deemed that is not really for me. My personality and it could work but with a few more years I could be a real baby doctor. After 5 kids it is about time I am on the other side of the table. But knowing I have 5 kids and am in my 30's I talked with the advisers about that reality and I just don't have the time most students do. That is why I am doing the biology route. If I find out this is too much for me to handle I can stop with a new bachelors that could still let me work in labs and this I am only looking at a 2-3 year commitment, the took my other college credits into consideration. If I choose to go on the 4 more years through medical school that door is already there for me I can take it if I want pending acceptance to medical school. Not necessarily the easiest thing to do. All still could be done before I even turn 40. Not to shabby.
So this past week I have started school again. I was a little nervous but that has now been replaced by business.
Why the tinkerbell? I don't know. My son added it there, he thought it was nice so I left it. I do feel old and obviously very pregnant. I am the only pregnant one in class. I was worried about being the old mom in the class. But I am not the oldest and there are other parents as well. I am the only pregnant one. And the only one with 5 kids. I took the two babies there today to the bookstore only and whoa was that an experience. I was chasing them around, leaving stuff all over, reputing their finds back on the shelf's, 2 big mess through the clothes diapers changes and BTW colleges do not have changing tables in the bathrooms. I was unable to get what I need and was told just to call on Monday.
This summer I have 3 classes and in fall 2. I do not have the time right now to go full time since I have to work to pay for 2 private school tuitions and food, kinda important. But I am off for the summer so I spend my time managing all the kids, their activities, and a lot of studying.
What has turned out to be wonderful is how happy the kids are for me. When I come how my oldest excitedly asks me Mom did you have fun at college today? Did you learn a lot? I love being this example for him. Me sitting in front of that wall was the same I took their first day of school pictures in front of.
It is not going to be an easy road. I know that. If it takes me longer than so be it. But at least I am on the road. And the road is beautiful.
1 comment:
I'm in total awe of you. You're obviously the best time manager EVER! Seriously, I have no idea how you do it! And I'm so freakin' impressed with your attitude too.
Oh, and I'd actually considered becoming a midwife once upon a time too. :)
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