Quick Post

School is underway.

Aside from the construction that is ripping apart 75% of the school and the constant smell of wood, school is going great!  I only have two classes again this semester as that is all I needed before I enter the program of Occupational Therapy Assistant!  

I find myself wishing I was a full-time student but I see this semester as another opportunity to try school on in the best way I know how.  Push through.  I can't complain that I have more time to complete papers, homework, and busy work but I also wish I was a full-time student because I am ready for it now.

Until next time,

I'll leave you with my favorite author's quote.  Spot on to how I'm feeling about the anticipation of next semester!

Thanks for your support!

Failure as Motivation

Everyone has their own motivation to push forth in times of difficulty.  Unfortunately, it takes every bit of me to stay on task and finish what needs to be done when it comes to school.  My motivation?  Failure.  Strange, I know.  My previous failure in college is what makes me push on. 

Although I attended a 4-year university for two full-time years, I only passed (C or higher) about 18 credits.  All 12 credits of my first semester were B's and C's.  The next semester I got my first D in college and it was downhill from there.

I don't think I've ever admitted my extreme academic failure publicly.  I had to quit a job that kept me out of trouble because I was on academic probation for the second semester.  That next semester, I dropped out.  Left to pay for thousands of dollars in student loans on a minimum wage job.  A mediocre position in a company with minimal opportunity for promotion.   Luckily,  I got a promotion.  Nothing as exciting as I thought. 

More responsibility with an unequal amount of pay for it.  I held my head up, I was fed up, but I had to survive.  I knew that each moment was so precious but it was hard to cherish them when I was such a failure and disappointment to myself.  I physically couldn't look into the mirror.  I was a hard worker but I never amounted to much, even at work.  Passion was something that was not inside of me.  

Although I was fed up with my life, I didn't it to pass me by.  Luckily, I had a lot of smart women that I worked with who constantly reminded me to take opportunity and education seriously at my age.  "Go back to school," they would tell me, "You'll regret it, if you don't."  They were right.  I had to keep my eye on the prize.  The prize of finishing. The prize of accomplishing something.  For myself.  

Failing school has taught me that, although school has never been easy for me, it is possible.  I have to take it upon myself to learn and be educated.  Just sitting in a classroom, taking notes, and answering a few questions is not getting an education.  You have to be involved.  Think about things after the bell rings and everyone goes home.  Apply it to life.  Apply it in every situation I can.

Due to my new mindset about school, I've accomplished being a student speaker for a ethnic/diversity class, receive my first college A, and set goals that I actually accomplished.  I have to finish school this time.  I don't have another option.  I've tried the working world of the minimum wage and I can't survive.  I want to look in the mirror in my older adult hood and say, "I'm glad I did this.  I'm glad I went back."  

I want to say Thank You to the three women who pushed me and encouraged me to go back to school and give it my all.  Michelle, Dawn, and Christine.  You've helped me more than you'll ever know.  I owe you.

Maintaining the Status Quo

Although the struggle of balancing school, work, divorcing parents, parents who don't talk to me, and my friends...I'm managing quite well and I even got a 100% on my last exam.

Life has thrown a lot my way in the past couple months but my ability to maintain and uphold my grade point average is impeccable.  I don't mean to sound cocky or full of myself but this is pretty impressive for me not to fall behind when life gets busy.  In the past, I have gotten myself on academic probation and even worse in similar situations as this.  My girlfriend, Kate, has shown me how to handle it all at once and after watching her go through hell and back all while successfully maintaining her great GPA in Nursing school, has been extraordinarily helpful.



For her, I am so thankful.  I wouldn't be succeeding if it were not for her.

Checkin In!

I realize it's been a few months since my last post.  Although I have a plethora of excuses that are completely valid and not entirely worthless, I'll spare you the list.

Last semester went well.  As you know, I only took a couple classes.  This worked great for easing back into school and remembering how much work it is while working.  Thankfully, I had a couple of months off from work because I no longer work with Staples.  

In June, after my trip to the Bahama's with Kate, I was offered a job position in the home health care field and I've even had the opportunity to shadow an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Occupational Therapists (OT).  Yes, it was reaffirming that I am in the proper career choice for me! :-)

This summer, I have been enrolled in a summer online hybrid course for Medical Terminology.  Although it's not the easiest course I've ever taken, I'm surviving.  This class does make me wish that I had taken Latin, if it were an option during my education.  Regardless, it's interesting but still makes me wonder why I must know ALL of the medical terms when I'm not in the Nursing program.  To better myself?  To be well-rounded?  Yeah...okay. :-/

All in all, school has it's moments.  I still believe I'm making the right choice.  I'm still passionate.  I'm still hanging on to this dream.

Work, Class, Eat, Sleep

I used to have a schedule of work, rest, relaxation, and do whatever I want; however, that is long gone.  There are only so many hours in the day and reminding yourself to eat dinner should not be an actual "to-do" on your list.

Keeping myself in check:  When I get worked up about not being able to do my homework until after work or in three days because I have not time between work and classes, I have to keep myself in check.  Lately, I have had thoughts that I am not going to be able to finish projects and do well on assignments because of my work/class schedule.  I keep forgetting that I won't be working full-time while I am going to school full-time.  Honestly, I don't know how people do that.  I have always had at least a part-time job and gone to school full-time or vice-versa.

Currently:  I have been setting up babysitting and part-time nanny gigs for when I am done working at Staples.  It's an odd feeling but I can't wait to work with kids again.  Plus, sitting is a lot easier on my class schedule and on my mind.  Sitting comes more naturally than sales does so a less stressful work environment will be greatly appreciated.

At this moment:  A cold sickness is upon me.  I can feel it in my head and throat. Thankfully, I only have 6 hours of class this week so I will manage but being sick is just getting in the way of feeling motivated and efficient.

Homework

I can't complain about the amount of homework I have considering I haven't been assigned homework in two years and I only have two classes this semester.  I am SO glad that I decided to still work full-time while going back to school part-time.  Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I would have developed an anxiety disorder!

Seriously, there is quite the load of homework for only having two courses.  Just saying.  Here's a little preview of how I look while doing my homework.  Fun Stuff. 

All in all, I feel like I have a purpose again.  Aside from being at work, which hasn't been as fulfilling as it had been in the past, I feel happier. 

First Day of School

I wish it were possible to bottle the excitement of the first day of school.  I would bottle it and save it for the days that I wake up and feel unmotivated.  Regardless, the first day of school went great!  

I felt like a kid walking through Disney World for the first time.  Eyes wide open, mouth dropped, looking every which way, and smiling like a school-girl.  

The campus is in Appleton, about 20 miles away from my house and I had never been there until yesterday.  Everyone is so helpful and the environment is so inspiring.  

My week schedule:

Monday: work 9-4pm, meeting with for test anxiety 5-6pm, class 6:30-9:30pm

Tuesday: work 9-4pm, class 6:30-9:30pm

Wednesday: work 9-4pm

Thursday: work 9-4pm, scholarship application meeting 5:30pm, class 6:30-9:30pm

Friday: work 10-6pm