Real World Mom

After many months of being unsure whether or not I would be able to continue going to school to earn my bachelor’s degree, I found out recently that it is absolutely possible! I’m going back to school in September! Kean University, here I come!

As if this weren’t enough great news, I will be able to do so on the same college campus where I went for my associate’s degree–close to home, familiar surroundings, and a place I love! Kean offers some baccalaureate and masters programs at this local campus, while their main campus is in Union, New Jersey.

My long-term goal is to earn a Master of Social Work degree (MSW). I had thought I would need a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) in order to apply to a master’s program. Turns out, that’s not the case (at least not with the school I will be attending). While Kean does not offer a BSW program at the location I will be attending, there is an MSW program available. So, I will get a bachelor’s degree (most likely in psychology because I find it so interesting, and have already taken several psych courses), and then (hopefully) move into their master’s program. If you are so busy with work but still want to earn a social work degree, you might want to check out universities or colleges offering online classes about it.

The challenge right now is to be patient as I wait to find out which major might be most appropriate at this juncture, and waiting to register for classes. I’m also trying not to allow myself to start stressing over maintaining my GPA already. For me, these things are easier said than done.

Once again, I owe a huge thanks to Tim for encouraging me to look into what Kean University had to offer, and for reminding me that I can do anything I set my mind to!

I couldn’t have done it alone though. My daughter and Tim were my biggest cheerleaders. They also offered their tutoring services when I needed them (yes, my daughter is one smart cookie!). If it hadn’t been for Tim’s encouragement, I probably never would have even gone to college in the first place. He believed in me when I doubted myself, and that was/is a very precious gift!

There were also several professors, fellow students, and other people I met along the way, who helped to shape my college experience (mostly in positive ways).

Making my way toward the stage to receive my diploma, I caught sight of Tim and my daughter in the audience.

Receiving my diploma. I received an Associate in Science degree in human services.

The courses that I took were only part of my education. Yes, the lectures, homework, and studying were important. What was equally enlightening was how much I learned about myself, and what I am capable of achieving.

The math classes I had been so uneasy about? I earned A’s in every one. This was from the high school student who failed two math courses. Upon earning that first A, I began to realize that maybe I could handle college. Hell, if I could get an A in math, anything was possible!

In November 2009, I was invited to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society. To qualify for induction, and to remain in good standing, a student must maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average. I did, throughout all six semesters. So I had the privilege of wearing the Phi Theta Kappa gold stole and tassel at graduation. I graduated Cum Laude, with a 3.74 overall grade point average. Not bad for someone who didn’t think they could handle college, eh?

The graduate!

Thank you to everyone who shared this journey with me. To those who offered encouragement and support, and those who took the time to read about my accomplishments and frustrations along the way. This was a true team effort, and I am eternally grateful to everyone who helped my dream come true!

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I’ve posted here. So much has happened in that time. I’ve missed blogging, and kept putting off the next post. I’m hoping to breathe some new life into my old friend, and catch everyone up on the events of the past year; more importantly, to get back in touch with all of you!

Let me start by updating info from my last post. Please excuse the rustiness!

My biology professor turned out to be an egotistical asshat. Even though it was supposed to be a basic class, he took great joy in showing off how much he knew (thanks to his two Master’s Degrees, which he reminded us of at every opportunity) by overloading us with complicated stuff. When you can’t  find answers to homework anywhere in the textbook or on the internet, there’s something wrong. End result: After much frustration (and boredom), I got an A for the class.

I enjoyed my addictions counseling class very much. Mostly because the professor was so cool, and because she really knew her stuff. I was sad to learn that she passed away just a few months after our class ended.

My Survey of Math class changed my life. Seriously. It was unlike any other math class I’ve ever taken. Through the series of topics we covered, it altered my way of thinking. Professor Gordon would be proud. I still get a kick out of knowing what a Venn diagram is!

All-in-all, it was a great semester. I really miss school. More about that in another post.

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School starts for both my daughter and I next week.  She’s fine; I’m a freakin’ mess!  And not on her account either, because, as I said, she’s taking everything in stride.

I’m stressing, big-time, over how I’m going to successfully (key word here) manage school, work, and home.  During my first two semesters of school, I wasn’t working, so I had plenty of time to devote to homework and housework.  That’s no longer the case.  I am grateful to have a job, especially one that I like, but it is going to take time away from home and studying.

The successful part is so important because I’m a perfectionist.  There.  I said it.  I want the house to be clean, the laundry kept up with, no dishes in the sink, etc.  I also want to maintain my good grades (so far, I’ve earned all A’s and only one B after a year of college).  This goes back to my “Superwoman Myth” post from July, but I can’t seem to help it!

Tim has promised to help keep the house standing, and he’s already started pitching in quite a bit.  I know he can–and will–handle this, so I really need to work on letting go.

I’m taking five classes, so that’s going to be a lot of work.  I know I can do it, I’m just worried about having enough time to do it.

Hopefully, once I get a routine down, I’ll be ok.  It’s also possible that I could get some studying done while at work (it’s often pretty quiet for the last hour or so).  And I have Wednesdays and the weekends off, so, if worse comes to worst, those three days can all be spent on homework.

Am I overreacting?  Probably.  (Hopefully!)  In a month or so, I’ll likely look back and see that I was worrying over nothing.  In the meantime, though, I’ll worry…

*Edit: I just came across this quote, and thought the timing was quite appropriate:

“I’ve had many problems in my life- most of which never happened”  -Mark Twain