Excerpt

Returning to College

Returning to college was one of my long term goals, and at times, I wondered if I would ever realize my dream. I never forgot that dream, and never gave up on it. I prayed for the right opportunity without the sacrifice of motherly love and commitment to my children. Even though it took me some years of pondering, it only took one year after retirement for me to really decide for me, the time is now. I had graduated from a non-accredited business college much earlier in life, receiving a diploma as a secretary. Later in life, I enrolled in college and after the first semester, the need to be home with our children took precedent over the need to be in college. I spent years at home, and when the time came, I started work as a secretary.

During my short retirement, I suddenly realized that staying home and watching television was not for me, I found it hard to just sit without working on something. Therefore, sitting and watching television was a problem for me; cleaning and cooking also was not fulfilling enough, even though I love doing those things. I was not ready to settle down to just house keeping. I also love to shop, but, shopping takes money, and I did not have much of that, so I would spend the money I had on hand. I ran up my credit card, just to have an outing to get out of the house. Staying home had become very expensive.

I realized I had to do something different, something that was interesting and challenging. I contacted a temporary employment agency and worked from time to time when they finally decided to call me with an assignment. The work was very boring and the pay was well under what I thought I deserved. I realized that this temporary employment also was not for me. I had to do something else that for me was more rewarding and enjoyable. After about three months into my retirement, I suddenly thought of returning to school in spite of all the what ifs that were lurking in my mind. I decided to go full speed ahead in my research as to when I would start and where. I was absolutely thrilled with my decision.

I returned to college as a second term freshman in 2001, happy, and ready to meet all the challenges, whatever they may be. Nothing was holding me back because daughter Number four was a senior in college. There were no excuses this time.

After contacting the college of my choice and completing the admission process, it was time for the next step, college registration.