I have always been very blunt about my life with most people. I find sharing my own experiences with others can be incredibly satisfying especially when I find someone else who is similar to me. I feel strength in numbers. (lol) This last week was an interesting week. The topic of education was constantly brought up in different ways because my school loans need to be paid, and I really despise the expense of my collection of degrees. I also took time to "reflect" on my prior decisions to put college off instead of committing to the task right after high school like normal people. However I am my mother's child, and I like to be stubborn and must only learn things by taking the hard road. I guess I like some of the bumps. O.o I remember being a teenager and dreaming about getting out of Texas and to Europe with my cousin Teresa. I really believed my parents would help fund a "year off after graduation to find myself", but I was incredibly wrong.
"I do not care Mom college can wait!" these are the words that I regret the most. If I could go back 10 years to speak to my younger self, I would say "okay this is all going to suck a little bit but it will be worth it! Go to school now!" followed by a smack and a good shaking. My life throughout my twenties was spent partying while working various jobs and going to school at different points. I got the whole "college partying" experience here because living in a college town can lead to a load of fun trouble for your young and fearless years. I wish I would have just stayed in school when I was supposed to instead of quitting to work. Life without a degree is horrible financially. I did not realize this until I was older.
By the age of 28 I was married and having my first child. I thought about what kind of education I would need to be able to care for my child. I was lost, and it sucked because I was not a child. I was a grown ass woman who had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. As I became a wife and mother, the importance of education was brutally obvious. Shortly after I had my second child a daughter I decided I was going to return to college to finish what I started. I spent the next few years getting my Associates Degree in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Information System Security, and I am half way complete in obtaining my Masters in Management Information Systems. Going to college when you are married with two small children is a test of personal strength. I wish my parents had pushed school more rather than just working a blue collar job.
My parents did the best that they could with me, and I realize more now than ever. I was stubborn, and I would have done what I wanted to do regardless. I feel like since I spent most of my time just getting by in college when I was 18-20 years old. I knew I was not performing course work to the best of my ability. If I had more help available to me, I believe that I could have stayed in school at 20 instead of just dropping out. I think I would have gained more confidence in my academic abilities at a younger age if I was given the extra help I needed. I definitely could have used the help of tutors. I have my son in various tutorial programs to make his school experience different than mine. I want him to actually enjoy school and not dread the place.
We want our children to enjoy their education because it is so vital. It is also very competitive once your children get older and closer to starting their journey into college. My husband and I will support both of our children while they are trying to get through school. If either of the kids needed extra help for college prep work, I would consider using something like StudyPoint Tutoring because it is easier to have a tutor available online. My opinion is biased because I prefer taking care of things online. I like having everything right at my finger tips!
I regret not completing my degrees before marriage and children, but it is the way it worked out for me. I made the best out of it. I felt compelled to completely my education because I want to be a proper example of a woman for both of my children but especially my daughter. I did not become the "I will sleep when it gets done" student until I was mature enough to be that committed to learning. I have learned that there is nothing that I cannot accomplish because all I have to do is envision it, resign to it, work hard, and enjoy the incredible sense of accomplishment I feel knowing I can do absolutely anything I put my mind to.....with help from my loving family. Make your kids stay in school people!
xoxo
BB
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