Gettin' Back in School

[AutumnAngel]

Well, it's that time again. I took awhile off of school because it was too much and now I am going back to face the music. I have to get my degree. Yes, I know should have done this before I had children but whatever, I was in fairy-tale love land and that just isn't how it happened. But it's ok -- I will have my AA degree by next spring. Thank God, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But it's not over yet -- I'm transferring to a 4 year school to get my bachelors in either Pyschology or Sociology -- whichever tickles my fancy the most. Then possibly a career in social work which requires a Masters and ya know that's ok too if I want to go there.

For awhile I thought about working with juvenile delinquents in a correctional facility but I wasn't sure if I wanted to deal with repeat offenders who never got there life together -- it would make me feel like a failure almost. Plus, I had a Criminal Justice instructor who worked as a Probation officer for young kids -- and the stories he had! Wow... it kind of shunned me away but maybe I should look into it again. I just feel the need to help people in some way. Whether it's an advocate for abused children, counselor for rape victims -- something along those lines -- I think that's where I'm headed.

School starts March 31st -- Time to start taking notes.

[Mitzi1]

There's nothing like the feeling of graduating from anything! It took me 5 years, because of problems with my parents, but I gradusted from college and it's such a great feeling. It's worth all the hard work, believe me.
or my son, his great accomplishment was high school, because of his brain tumor. He graduated in regular classes, a real feat, and his high school diploma is one of his proudest possessions!

[shooter1201]

My wife's BS is in Psych/Sociology. She's 18 hours shy of a Masters in Counseling. If you need any help...

Myself....going back to school after being out for 13 years was HARD! But with my Masters under my belt, I don't EVER have to take any more classes.

[drunkhunter]

School can be hard with other things going on that can be more important.

I did the non-traditional thing, and I didn't start school until I was 23. Fortunately, in the years between high school and college, I was able to save enough money to do school full time and work part time.

Now I'm in grad school while being married and working full time. That automatically puts grad school at least as low as third on the totum pole. Plus, I picked a graduate program, public administration, that I thought would be employable. It's not want I really wanted to study. That makes it even harder to put in the time needed.

Just be sure that you study something that you enjoy!!! Then you'll be much more likely to put in the effort it takes when the real word crowds in on you.

[jellybean40]

Good luck with school. social work can be very meaningful and rewarding. my ex-b/f was a social worker; he had a hard time choosing what type of clients he wanted to work with, but ended up starting out at a methadone clinic, and moved on to an HIV/infectious disease clinic. i continue to volunteer at the clinic he worked at, and i love it.

Keep your vision... he got his degree in his 40's!

[AutumnAngel]

Wow...JB that is inspiring. My mom got her degree in social work when she was about 35 so I guess that means there is still hope for me!