Sunday, December 2, 2007

The Final Countdown

Here I am, two weeks away from finals week, plotting out my homework/studying course. I can't believe the semester has gone so fast. I have had more fun going to school this semester than ever before. I have enjoyed every part of school: The backpack, sitting on the front row of biology and history like a geek (see an 80s colloquialism book), feeling like the oldest one on the block and therefore the most wise (humor me here), walking up the hill to school(even though I am sure it hasn't done me a bit of good, cardio wise), the professors, the twilight zone, the idiotic games the student body play during lunch, the flirting (not mine), the whole atmosphere. I am feeling very grateful to have had the opportunity to go back to school. I am still wondering what I am going to do when I grow up. I still think about nursing school and am starting to check out scholarships, hoping that there will be one for a nontraditional student like myself who didn't get the most stellar grades back in the 80s and 90s.

Don't get me wrong, this semester hasn't been easy. The house has suffered, my children and husband have suffered, I have found it very difficult to get my homework done when no one else is around (for the most part) so that school doesn't interfere more than it already does, trying to get my job in too.

I guess what I really want to say here is that I have learned a few things about myself.

1. I am capable of much more than I give myself credit for as far as juggling many different life balls.
2. I have more brain cells than I thought I did and when I feel two of them rubbing together and making a spark I am delighted.
3. I am setting an example for my children. I originally wanted to finish school because I just wanted to finish. But now I think a lot more about how this affects them. They will see their 38-year-old mother doing homework, going to school, writing papers, taking tests and wanting to succeed. And in about 5 months they will watch me, looking pretty ridiculous in a cap and gown, walking to a podium to receive my diploma and they will be proud, as will Harold and my parents (all of whom have sacrificed a lot for my education in the past and present).

So before the next two weeks get ultra ugly......Thank you Harold, Sav, Mack, Dad and Mom. Your support and your love and encouragement have meant the world to me. I feel it every single day.

5 comments:

Cote Corner said...

I think it's SO awesome that you have gone back to school. You're right.. you set a great example, but not just for your kids. For all of us!! I hope one day I can have enough courage to go back to school. (when my kids are older of course) Seeing you do it helps me to know that it can be done!! Love ya!

McGiven Family.... said...

You are my hero. Maybe someday I will go back and finish too. Oh it seems a little stressful to me but you are awesome!

Collette said...

I know that my mom going back to school was a big example for me. It made me want to finish the first time...because I saw how hard it was to go back. Way to be a great example for your kids, oh, and fulfill your goals too!

Dale said...

Jeanna, congrats on everything you have done this semester. I have to say though that I am a little bummed that I only saw you once this semester. I was expecting more out of your return to the campus life.

mom/Janet said...

I've been impressed with your return to school and have enjoyed reading of your experiences. Now if I can just get myself remotivated and get going again on my Independent Study course I started about 2 months ago. Luckily I have a year to complete it. good luck with your finals preparation