tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359713537087862054.post1483921326498707847..comments2023-10-01T05:59:58.582-06:00Comments on Friendly Mama: Next Step?Friendly Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12958152969639229916noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359713537087862054.post-85851244722164624512008-07-16T13:47:00.000-06:002008-07-16T13:47:00.000-06:00Dear Mary Linda,I'm at work today with not much to...Dear Mary Linda,<BR/>I'm at work today with not much to do, so I was cruising around and I happened upon your blog because I'm a Quaker too. Maybe I was meant to tell you my story. I went back to college at the age of 43. I had a few hours from about 20 years before and had started and stopped so many times I can't remember. Finishing my degree was a goal I had set for my life. I was struck one day that if I didn't get started I would never finish. My husband and I were deep in debt so there was no money for tuition or fees. I looked into student loans that would be deferred until I graduated. I started out with a correspondence course offered by the University of Oklahoma which is where I wanted to attend. I did that for a semester to get in the grove then I decided to take 6 hours the next semester and each semester I worked up until I was taking 12 a semester by the time I graduated. I was also working 20-30 hours a week and had three children at home. Mine were all in school though.<BR/><BR/>I'm getting too long winded here, so to make a long story short. I graduated with a BA in English Literature with a minor in History the week before I had my 46th birthday. Yes, I have a mountain of student loans to pay back, but the experience and the job I now have is worth EVERY penny I have to pay back. Going back to school and determining that I was going to get that degree was the best decision I ever made. Don't mind what anyone else says, do it if that is what you want to do.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck to you.<BR/>ManetteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359713537087862054.post-66807394992791680182008-07-14T21:45:00.000-06:002008-07-14T21:45:00.000-06:00Take it slow. No need to jump in with both legs an...Take it slow. No need to jump in with both legs and arms and body. If it is the right path, you can still find out by taking the first few courses a couple at a time. Full time coursework, five at a time, is likely to be grueling, especially with the 101 courses to endure for quite some time before you get to anything meaty. Realize that serious "planning" is done by people with MS degrees at least, and that you have a long long road ahead of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8359713537087862054.post-74710529177778248612008-07-08T11:42:00.000-06:002008-07-08T11:42:00.000-06:00It takes a ton of courage to go to college in your...It takes a ton of courage to go to college in your 40s! Way. To. Go.<BR/><BR/>If you are led, way will open. This isn't to say some things aren't going to be hard. But there is a surprising amount of help (financial and academic) for adults getting a college education, especially if you're a first-generation college student.<BR/><BR/>You'll get the guidance you need. Maybe instead of starting full time you'll start with one or two classes. And maybe you will be led to start in January 2009. And maybe not till September 2009.<BR/><BR/>Fear is the Adversary's tool. Many people have done with you'll be doing, and survived. You can too. Your kids, though they oppose it now and may grumble later, will be so very proud of you when you walk across that stage to get your degree, and your success will be a beacon and inspiration to them. Think, Carmac will be 9!<BR/><BR/>The thing about following leadings is that God will give you what you need and when you need it. Maybe not what you want when you want it, but you'll know the rightness of it all.<BR/><BR/>God's Grace is truly amazing.<BR/><BR/>I will hold you and your family in my thoughts and prayers in the coming months. Please keep us updated!Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00905850036743973387noreply@blogger.com