For my first post, I'm focusing on being a working/adult student (shout out PubRel Class @ OCU.)
I have been in school...well, for as long as I can remember. I think I tried taking over kindergarten on day 2 because knowing my 1-10 in Spanish just was not as important as station play in my opinion. (I still firmly hold to that belief to this day, sorry Ms. Germany.)
I was fortunate enough to have my education paid for by joining the Air Force and getting the GI Bill. This fortune was not without sacrifices mind you. I've had to take night, weekend and online classes mostly to accommodate my family, but I've always managed to stay in school. Truthfully, it's the persistence that has set me apart from many of my peers. When it got too tough and it would have been easier to just throw in the towel, I did not. I kept pressing on. (go army.) Now 27 years old and two kids later, I am working on my second bachelor's degree and hold a Masters in Healthcare Administration. I would like to think I'm a super genius or prodigy, but sadly, that (along with my childhood dream of being the Queen of England) is not the case. It all comes down to simply sticking with a personal goal. Next goal: law school or PhD.
I had the privilege of giving advice to a younger friend struggling with finding her 'path.' I told her the best place to start was a classroom. Worst case: you rule out a discipline you don't want to major in, but at least you have 3 hours to show for it. Most importantly, you have something that no one can take away from you, education. Learning keeps you young, keeps you thinking, keeps you moving. What a dreadful life to live when we stop being curious and lose our sense of wonderment.
“If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people”
~Chinese Proverb
