by 
Opting for life experience instead of education left me as a mom of two and a full-time employee, loving life but wanting more opportunities for career choices. One day, I had a customer come into my store that worked as a family and marriage counselor. We made small talk and she told me about what she did for a living. Listening to her tell me about all the lives she had touched made me realize, at that moment, I wanted to work in a function of helping others.
I quickly recognized that I had to initiate a change in my life, and I started looking for options. Being a mom and a wife, I had no choice but to continue working and I needed to enter an institution that offered classes at non-traditional times. After doing some research, I concluded that TJC was going to be the right fit for me. I was able to take the classes I needed before and after work plus a good bit of classes online. With the course options available and a little bit of time, I was able to piece together an associate’s degree from TJC.
When I transferred to obtain my bachelor’s degree, I already had a good record for study habits and time management skills. This made that transition a little easier and created a good understanding of how college worked. Some days were hard, and some days were REALLY hard, but every day that passed was a day closer to making a change for the better. It took me seven years from start to finish and I would not change a bit of it. As long as I was attending, even if it was only one class at a time, I was making progress toward a brighter future. I eventually graduated! I got to show my children the achievement I had gained. They watched me work on homework countless times and now I had done what I had set out to do.
Here we are 10 years after I started my journey, I am now working a job I feel passion for and I am continuing my education in pursuit of my master’s degree. I will graduate from college for the third time in May 2021. I am here to tell you that it is doable. It wasn’t easy, but few things worth having usually are. With time, a little hard work, determination, and a positive mindset you can reach your goals. Don’t let the time it will take stand in your way; the time is going to pass anyway.
My advice:
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Your success in life is determined by you and you alone. Even if you are walking down a path less traveled, as long as you’re moving you are making progress.
- Give it your all and take control of your destiny. Find what motivates you and let that steer you to greatness. Remember that education is a journey, not a destination.
- Use the on-campus resources available. There are tons of places to find the help you need, admissions, registrar, financial aid, tutoring, trio, and even advising are all great places to find the assistance you need.
