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Women Heading Back to School
Some Vocalpoint members, like Lillie from Tennessee, would like to go back to school, but where to start? From finding the right program to financial aid to balancing life and school, what advice do you have for moms who are considering additional education? |
I was in business management when I decided to become a stay at home mom when my second child was born. When my second was in kindergarten, I decided to go back to school and do something meaningful for others. I decided on healthcare. I went to the community college and they were really great. I wish I had started taking classes sooner then I had because I had to cram alot in at once to get to where I needed. I forgot too much from high school and had to start math from practically the beginning. Anyway, I earned an associates degree from the community college and took my tests and passed the first time for my profession. It was really hard, but it was something I needed to accomplish for myself. Now, quite a few years later, I am still taking classes (some at the wonderfull community college) and working on a bachelors degree. One step at a time. My first will be in college before I graduate (and probably my second). LOL
My daughter just started college in May of this year and was lucky enough to get a grant to help her pay her living expenses. I found a website called chegg.com that rents textbooks that sounds like it can really save you money. Textbooks can be very expensive and if the can be rented rather than bought I say great! She wants to be a lawyer and I know that any money saved will be a blessing.
22 years after getting out of high school, I decided to go back to college and get into the medical field. I have my first year behind me, and one more to go. I am a single mom raising an 8-year old son by myself. I have to admit, at first it was difficult, but I have managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average which both myself and my son are so proud of. I have to do this for myself, and also for my son. When I graduate, I do plan on continuing my education, I hope to have my bachelors by the time I'm 50. Just trying to set a good eample for my son, and let him know, never to give up on your dreams, and that your never to old to go back to school.
It's great for people who want to do it, but I had enough school/career...thanks
I too am a returning student after nearly 20 years out of high school. And I, like Pattie, had to start from the beginning in math. It is an uphill battle that I am going to win!
After only being out school about a decade and having never earned a high school diploma (And having two children), I decided a year and a half ago that I wanted to teach elementary school. Since then I have taken the GED test to earn an actual high school diploma, from there I enrolled in college. I now have 24 credits behind me and am less than 3 1/2 years from my dream. I have also taken my state's parapro exam and PASSED! So, now I can be a parapro.
- Sylvia said:
22 years after getting out of high school, I decided to go back to college and get into the medical field. I have my first year behind me, and one more to go. I am a single mom raising an 8-year old son by myself. I have to admit, at first it was difficult, but I have managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average which both myself and my son are so proud of. I have to do this for myself, and also for my son. When I graduate, I do plan on continuing my education, I hope to have my bachelors by the time Im 50. Just trying to set a good eample for my son, and let him know, never to give up on your dreams, and that your never to old to go back to school.
Hello, Sylvia. I am a single mom as well. I have a teenage son and I commend you on the steps that you have taken. I know from experience that things and times are not always easy but I trust and depend on God who directs my path and order my steps. When I read your comment, I immediately thought of myself and the Goal Statement that I sent to the college that I am attending. I returned to school, having graduated from high school 30 years ago. This was a part of the Gaol Statement that I submitted to my college upon appying:"...now is the time for me to better myself and ultimately, reach my academic goal of obtaining my doctoral degree before the age of 50 and to reach my career goal of becoming a very successful entrepreneur. My personal goal is to show my teenage son that age is only a number -- not a hindrance for continued education. If a person learns more, they will earn more. I want him to know that the world doesn't owe him anything. If he wants to succeed, he must remember that education is the key.What you said in your comments mirrored what I said in my Goal Statement. How weird is that? I pray that God will continue to bless you and keep you, and I will be in constant prayer for you.Jackie
- Jackie said:
- Sylvia said:
22 years after getting out of high school, I decided to go back to college and get into the medical field. I have my first year behind me, and one more to go. I am a single mom raising an 8-year old son by myself. I have to admit, at first it was difficult, but I have managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average which both myself and my son are so proud of. I have to do this for myself, and also for my son. When I graduate, I do plan on continuing my education, I hope to have my bachelors by the time Im 50. Just trying to set a good eample for my son, and let him know, never to give up on your dreams, and that your never to old to go back to school.
Hello, Sylvia. I am a single mom as well. I have a teenage son and I commend you on the steps that you have taken. I know from experience that things and times are not always easy but I trust and depend on God who directs my path and order my steps. When I read your comment, I immediately thought of myself and the Goal Statement that I sent to the college that I am attending. I returned to school, having graduated from high school 30 years ago. This was a part of the Gaol Statement that I submitted to my college upon appying:...now is the time for me to better myself and ultimately, reach my academic goal of obtaining my doctoral degree before the age of 50 and to reach my career goal of becoming a very successful entrepreneur. My personal goal is to show my teenage son that age is only a number -- not a hindrance for continued education. If a person learns more, they will earn more. I want him to know that the world doesnt owe him anything. If he wants to succeed, he must remember that education is the key.What you said in your comments mirrored what I said in my Goal Statement. How weird is that? I pray that God will continue to bless you and keep you, and I will be in constant prayer for you.Jackie
- Sylvia said:
Jackie, Thank you for your kind comments! I wish you and your son much happiness and success!!
I went to college for teh first time at the age of 28, at the time, I was single, and free to try my hand at attempting to be a normal college kid, who just happened to be a bit older than most of my new found friends...admittedly younger than some of the others. I joined groups and organizations, I even lived (sorta) in a dorm the first semester with another 28 yr old, and then we got an apt dorm the second semester, and the following year a real apt with a 24 yr old as well. I spent three very happy and satisfying years at DSU working on getting a writing degree with a journalism minor. Then something happened.. the man I fell in love with moved 12 hours away. I tried doing the long distance relationship thing, going there on long weekends and most of my summer and winter breaks, talking on the phone each night, messaging via IM...but it wasn't working, and it was costing me a fortune in text messaging bills. So I took a semester through online classes and moved in with him. I then had to shift gears, because for some reason, colleges are more nervous about plagerism than they are someone being a pilot or a nurse online...go figure! I decided since photography was too expensive online, my next love was children. So I started going to another college online to get my early childhood degree. From the first week I was unhappy with the college. I didn't feel like the prof cared, I was a number...if even that. She was AWOL more than she was around. I spent a year at the college completely miserable while my now fiance looked for work in another part of the us, since neither of us were happy there. He finally got a job in Wyoming this march, and I have enrolled in the early childhood classes through the local college, and will go through their outreach program through U of Wyoming to get my B.A. so I can become a kindergarten teacher. It's been a long road, including lots of surprises, like getting engaged, getting pregnant, and trying to do online course while having an infant ..it's been challenging but very rewarding. I have made friends with many of my profs, and they only add to my arsenol of intelligents!
I am a single parent with two teens and I received my BA this year at the age of 43. I find attending classes addictive. Although my schedule is crazy when I am taking classes, I miss it when I'm not there. I involve my children in what I am doing and take suggestions, otherwise it would be very hard for them.I Thank God for a very good support network!
I believe the best way to start back is to do one class at a time (to start) and do it online! You only need the discipline to study and do assignments and most colleges offer online classes, Doing it this way leaves me time for family, work etc!
I wish you ladies all the best of luck and encouragement! I went straight through my bachelor's, master's and now my Ed.D but I know how hard it is to juggle children, family, home, work, and all of the other demands placed on one's time. You can do it-just don't lose faith in yourself!!!
I too am returing to school after 20 years out of high school, and 18 years since I have received an associates degree in Business management. I am going to an adult education school and will be going into the medical office field. I am so excited to start something new!!
I am going back to school currently after being out of school for 8 years. Im having to basically start from the beginning and with a husband working full-time and 3 kids it was really hard at first. Now we are adjusting and i cant wait to finish. Although i have a couple more years to go I am thrilled with knowing my family will be financially secure when i am done and working. We may not be making millions but we will be making better than we are struggling through now.
I am 45 years old, graduated in 1983 I would absolutely love to go to back to school. I checked into a college not long ago and was almost going for it but it was not an accredited college and was way to expensive for me. I work for the Dallas County as a Juvenile Detention Officer, have been assigned to be as the court coordinator for 9 years have been employed there for 9years and 7 months. I totally love what I do but I know that with the expierence I have can do much better, financially. I see all kinds of jobs opportunities just go by. Being bilingual and an extremely good empoyee I wish I could afford school. I am married and have 2 teenage daughters. My sister who is a year younger than me will be starting school in August 2009. Maybe my dream will come true one day.
Good for all of you that make the choice to pursue your dream and goals and go to school. No one can take your education away from you - you have earned it and you will reap great rewards. I have been going to school off and on since I graduated from high school. I than got my bachelor's degree, a few years later after being married and having two children I completed my master's degree. I am now on a ten year plan and will be completing a specialist degree - which was my life long goal. One class at a time, one day at a time. What a great role model we all are for our children. Keep up the good work!Janel
i just graduated with my bachelors degree in may. my daughter graduated in dec. and starts grad school in aug. and my son is in his first year. for textbooks try textbooks.com they are a good site to purchase and sell books.
I was married and a mother of 2 young children when I decided to go to college. I earned my BS in Psychology, and then I earned my MA in Pyschology. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. If I could have done it over, I would have gone to college before having children, but I wouldn't give up my family for anything. I was proud of my accomplishments. I graduated magna cum laude and I had a 3.9 GPA with my MA.
- Sylvia said:
22 years after getting out of high school, I decided to go back to college and get into the medical field. I have my first year behind me, and one more to go. I am a single mom raising an 8-year old son by myself. I have to admit, at first it was difficult, but I have managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average which both myself and my son are so proud of. I have to do this for myself, and also for my son. When I graduate, I do plan on continuing my education, I hope to have my bachelors by the time Im 50. Just trying to set a good eample for my son, and let him know, never to give up on your dreams, and that your never to old to go back to school.
Sylvia; I am the single mother of three and need some financial advice. I would love to go back to school for vetrinary Tech but am the only support for my children....how did you manage. In this field of study the the person has to go full time.
- kristi said:
- Sylvia said:
22 years after getting out of high school, I decided to go back to college and get into the medical field. I have my first year behind me, and one more to go. I am a single mom raising an 8-year old son by myself. I have to admit, at first it was difficult, but I have managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average which both myself and my son are so proud of. I have to do this for myself, and also for my son. When I graduate, I do plan on continuing my education, I hope to have my bachelors by the time Im 50. Just trying to set a good eample for my son, and let him know, never to give up on your dreams, and that your never to old to go back to school.
Sylvia; I am the single mother of three and need some financial advice. I would love to go back to school for vetrinary Tech but am the only support for my children....how did you manage. In this field of study the the person has to go full time.
- Sylvia said:
Kristi; Before I went back to school last year, I had to check with financial aid first to make sure that I would get grants to cover school costs, otherwise I would not have been able to do this. You can go on the website fafsa.ed.gov and fill out an app. for financial aid. Real simple process. They will notify you if you qualify and how much assistance they will provide. This is a government grant, and does not have to be paid back. As far as going back full time, that's what I did, I have taken 7- 8 classes per semister, it's diffucult, but alot of the classes are online too, which might help out in your situation. I know that it wont be an easy road, especially if your doing this all by yourself like I am. But always remember, you can do and accomplish anything that you set your mind to. I am living proof of that.I wish you the best of luck and never give up on your dreams!
After 17 years in my first career, I decided to go back to college, get my degree, and start my second career. I have been back for two years now and I love it! I use textbooks.com for my textbook purchases. Every book I have used so far has been bought back by textbooks.com and they even email a prepaid UPS label for you. It is fast and I strongly recommend using them. They have also had the best purchase price and buy back price.
i think it's wonderful how women can do anything they want. we give so much to others and we need to do something for ourselves. i'm going to be graduating from community college soon and will be on my way to get my BA and then my MBA. i'm 30 but i am doing much better than my younger counterparts in class. age and experience can def help alot!!!!
- Susan said:
I too am a returning student after nearly 20 years out of high school. And I, like Pattie, had to start from the beginning in math. It is an uphill battle that I am going to win!
I congratulate you and just want to encourage you to keep plugging along. I returned to college at the age of 48. I went to college for 3 years full time / 18 credits each semester and 12 credits each summer while working at running a business and taking care of a household. It was so tough but I just kept telling myself there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I had to do this for myself. I graduated with a degree in early childhood education, a teaching certificate and also a degree in human services. Don't let anyone take away your dream. If you show the interest, the professors will bend over backwards to help you. They appreciate th eolder returning students because they know the students are there to learn and not because their parents told them to either get a job or go back to school....or they will lose their health benefits. Keep plugging along and make sure you ask for help if you need it.
I am a stay-at-home mother of three, ages 15, 13, and 8. I decided to futher my education via the internet. I currently am in my 5th week of classes with the University of Phoenix. I LOVE the flexibility of my schedule. I have 2 classes in each 9 week "block". I rarely have more than 3 assignments each week from each class. There is more support than I'll ever need from the staff. Stafford loans, and a pell grant have covered my tuition and books. I have put nothing out-of-pocket. I'm working on my associate's degree, but it goes as high as MBA. It's fully accredited, and I'm recognized as a full-time student. It's the way to go. Even for mom's who work, it would be easy to fit into a hectic schedule. All u have to do is be certain that you post your assignments before midnight on the day they are due.
I decided to go to college when I was 32 with 3 kids! I had to learn to say no to things like, being a room mother and teaching Sunday school. It was all I could do to keep up with my studies and be a Mom. Learn to say no, as your sanity is more important than doing those extra things. Good friends will understand. I've never regretted going to college to become a teacher.
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