My Educational Journey Back to College
Tammy Jackson
ENG 121
My Educational Journey Back to College
Returning to school was necessary, but will be a tough task for me; I will have to learn to juggle
my existing life that consists of a family, full time job, and planning a wedding. I find days where I feel so over whelmed. If I skip a day of reading or commenting on a dicussion thread I have to work twice as hard to catch up. What I realized is this is how I feel in life. I am always working harder than my peers that went college immediately after high school. I have to work extra hours some weeks to make sure we can cover all the bills and rent. I missed out on time with children and family due to this. I inspire to be able to take care of my family from a forty hour a week salary.
Returning to school to obtain my degree has always been a thought in the back my mind. I
would say I will go back once my son is in elementary school. Once that happen, I was pregnant with my
second child. Then I said I would enroll once she was in Pre-K so that childcare would be more
affordable. Every time I reach a point in my life to start school again, I found a reason not to. I began to
feel like I would never find the right time to resume my education. I began to wonder was continuing my
education even important? After all I had a great job with room to grow and an annual raise in salary. I
School Time Wanted Home
The day was coming, my feelings were getting nervous, scared, more like terrified. Mixed feelings were coming alive in me when I thought about going to school also how I felt about experiencing a new and different life. At the age of twelve my life was shifted. First day of school came walking onto the campus it was a whole different feeling than what I was used to. New and different faces turned ...
no longer felt the need to get my degree in Business Administration and Marketing. I had convinced
myself that a year in college and five years work experience would be enough to excel in a career..
My father asked me, during his yearly visit to Atlanta, when was I going back to college. He
stated that just because you are satisfied where are in life does not mean you do not have room to grow
as a person. He said that businesses close their doors everyday and I should make myself more
marketable to others company, especially in this economy. My high school friends that graduated from
college, began to seek employment. I notice that their lives seemed easier than mine. I knew my friends
made more money than me, after all they all had degrees. I just did not know if the extra work was
worth it. I already had two children and did know if I would be able to seriously go to college. More than
anything I knew my children deserve a better life. Just getting by and living check to check was not what
I wanted for them. I began to ponder on his words and agreed with him. I could have more myself and
family. I knew I could not dedicate myself to a traditional college so I began to seek an online
universities. My first choice was DeVry University. I had friends that went to DeVry and graduate. All
seemed to be doing well for their selves and family.
I went to Devry for a year. I enjoyed being back in school and the knowledge that came with it. I
was doing well in my classes, although at times I was overwhelmed with all the responsibilities. My
friends were able to enjoy their weekends, while I had to study. My children began to resent me going
back to school. They said it took too much of my time. After the death of my fiancé’s cousin I began to
neglect my school work. I was withdrawn from two courses due to attendance. I decided I needed to
regroup and I withdrew from DeVry. Six months later I was ready to go back to school but I wasn’t sure
DeVry was right for me, plus the tuition had increased. I began to research universities and found a
home at Ashford University. I was enrolled within three days with the help of Allie, an employee at Ashford. I enjoy taking only one class per five weeks versus two classes each nine weeks. I am able to focus on just one course and the materials for that course.
Candlelight Dreams Friend Time Wishes
My older friend next door once told me that if I shut my eyes and blew on a candle, all of my wishes would come true... I used to believe her and go around the house candle hunting. How my parents must have laughed to see me scrambling around the furniture, picking up the candles around the room, and blowing the little flame out until my cheeks hurt. I made the most outrageous wishes. I wished to ...
Overall, I am very satisfied with my decision to return to college for a third time. After all the third time is the charm. I believe that I can continue my education with Ashford University. I am not neglecting my children since I take only one course. I think they are proud that their mom through all the hardship is still standing. I want to be a positive example to them. I often say do not wait until you are my age to obtain your degree, because it is much harder, but if you have to wait at least get your degree. I want them to know that college is important. A person can only hid from that for so long.
