|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 1/28/2010 12:55:44 AM
|
|
|
karlie
Posts: 4288
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Central California
Status: offline
|
Praying for you, nuhope!
I got my final paper in tonight and did my last presentation for this class. I have my final exam Saturday morning, then a whole month off before my next class. I may actually clean my house really well!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 1/30/2010 12:47:43 AM
|
|
|
alwaysinjoy2000
Posts: 419
Joined: 1/25/2010
Status: offline
|
This is a great thread!  It's funny, I found this thread during my little "break" from studying  Everyone's stories and determination to succeed in their school studies is really encouraging to me because now I feel like I'm not alone!
I am going back to school to pursue a dream that I believe God is leading me towards (although many times in the past 6 months or so I've doubted and wondered and been nervous about this, because it seems so impossible...). I have a previous B.S. degree in accounting and I hated what I did, I didn't even like the business classes I had to take for the degree but I was determined to do well in a field I didn't enjoy very much (call me stubborn, but once I get something in my mind I can't be swayed.lol).
I got a job at a successful accounting firm, making good money and you know what? I hated it. I was miserable. I would get so stressed and I'd cry when I came home because I would think to myself, "I can't see myself doing this years down the road!" I felt I was dying a bit every day, I was not a happy person.
So now I'm back at school, this is my first semester, to follow a dream I believe God wants me to achieve. Go on to veterinary school. I have to take prereq science courses first (I decided to get a second bachelor's in biology while I'm at it..) and then go on and apply to vet school. Not only do I need to meet their academic requirements, but also others like animal experience working with small and large animals, GREs, recommendations, etc. It gets overwhelming at times... 
I don't know about everyone else, but I completely believe each one of us has in us the desires, passions, strengths, the personality that God gives us to be formed for a particular job or interest. Does that make sense?
It's a long story to how I got back to where I should have been, but I have always had a love for science and the natural world around me. Always questioning and wanting to understand and know, and even though I can tell it's going to be a LOT of work, I love going to class. I love learning chemistry and biology, I'm always studying but the difference between now and before (when I took accounting), I look forward to learning and going to class.
Anyways, I admit I have been discouraged a few times and especially since I know how time-consuming the process of getting to vet school will be..but reading everyone's own experiences of school and juggling so many commitments I realize if it's God's will it will happen!
Oh, and I also agree that being an older student I think we have the maturity and drive, we are focused because we know what we want. I don't get intimidated by the fact I'm a lot older than a normal college student in my class, I don't think anything or anyone (but God...and I know He wants me to do this!) can deter me from what I want to do. I don't let anything phase me, I haven't felt this much peace about a decision in a long time...really, I have doubted it was God but it's all fallen into place too easily for me to dismiss it's God telling me "Do this"
Well, thought I'd share what I'm doing, sorry it's so long! Gotta get back to studying...
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/5/2010 8:18:31 AM
|
|
|
Grace-N-Mercy
Posts: 1747
Joined: 5/2/2005
Status: offline
|
alwaysinjoy, thank you for sharing your story! And I pray that God is able to bless you, and allow you to bless others, in your new profession! I love my vets... they seem to really love their job and take good care of my kitties. Grad school can be a very frustrating experience. Why we do this to ourselves is beyond me! But that's why we have this support group... we all have our ups and downs and come here to support, and be supported!
So I'm coming in to share my "up" story. It's been a while since I've been in here, so I'll explain. Back in July, I was taking a class on campus and they were explaining the internship procedure. I already knew a lot about it and was contemplating how I was going to balance my regular full-time counseling job with an additional internship. The way I had planned it out was this: I would work my regular job, 9-5ish, then drive about 30-40 miles to the internship site (I had two places in mind), and do this as much as I could over 2 or 3 semesters. Well, I truly was not looking forward to this kind of a schedule... it would be exhausting. But many people before me have done the same. While I was in class, however, I learned that on top of my internship (3 credits), I would have to take an additional class!
With that impossible scenario before me, I immediately knew what I had to do... leave the job and work on school full-time. I immediately had such a peace about it. That night, I went back to the hotel room (the campus is not nearby) and looked at my finances. It could work!! So I prayed about it and EVERYTHING fell into place. You've also got to know that from January until July, I had several large issues with my job and had been contemplating going in a very different career direction, but all those doors were closed. When this opened, it was like God was saying "here's where I want you to go". There was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this is the path He had for me. So I told my employer, gave about a month's notice, and left in mid-August. In the Fall, I took three online classes, so I was able to sit at home and work diligently.
In January, I started my internship with Hospice. I had never, ever considered working with the elderly before, but there was absolutely no apprehension about doing so after my interview with them. I just finished my fourth week of internship (and I'm working 32 hours/week, which is a lot in comparison to the other students). This just feels so natural! Yes, I have seen people in the active dying process and have seen three patients who died shortly after my visits. It has been a great spiritual experience as well. There are several Christians there who are counselors and nurses, and of course the Chaplains, and I feel very free about sharing my faith in the workplace (though there are limits about sharing our faith with patients). They also seem to enjoy having me there, so I'm hoping this turns into full-time by the time I'm finished. I'm just so thrilled to see how God has been so visible in all of this. But I also think that if He hadn't made Himself visible, I would've ditched this whole thing a long time ago.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/5/2010 8:36:53 AM
|
|
|
debilyn
Posts: 225
Status: offline
|
Alwaysinjoy and Grace-n-Mercy, what lovely and encouraging stories.
I hope everyone is doing well this semester. It seems so strange not to have a class this semester, but I am also enjoying the break. I have one more class to take, then I will be starting my junior year studies. Five more gen-ed classes and the rest will all be in my English major. I'm excited to be in the mid-pack of the journey.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/5/2010 3:06:34 PM
|
|
|
karlie
Posts: 4288
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Central California
Status: offline
|
Michele, that is so great about your internship! Isn't it cool when God leads the way? The practicum site(I think it must be the same as your internship) I interviewed for wasn't even currently taking trainees but because of a contact, I got an interview with the supervisor and it looks like it's going to work out. And then there are the little things that God brings along that give you confirmation. One of the areas I've been very interested in is play and art therapy, and I've planned on attending some seminars on them. When I interviewed, she mentioned that if I was interested, she would like to extensively train me in art/play therapy. It was like a little confirmation from the Lord that He is in this. I'm really excited!
Debilyn, my daughter is an English major too...she graduates this spring.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/5/2010 5:18:33 PM
|
|
|
ShallbeRebuilt
Posts: 220
Joined: 11/8/2007
Status: offline
|
Wow some of you are really finding things working out for you!
I am very relieved to be able to stay HOME now, instead of driving two hours one way to campus. I miss everyone a LOT, and miss being involved in learning about music, but I don't miss the on-the-road-at-5:30 mornings.
As some of you know, I am finishing the foreign language requirement for my degree online. I am enrolled in second semester French, which I spent all LAST semester preparing for on my own.
It's going ok, or at least I thought it was. I made a 90% on my first exam, but when I read the teacher's comments she said that I had only completed 64% of my homework! I thought I had done every bit of it, and made sure I got 100% on everything. So now I have emailed the professor asking what in the world I didn't do that I was supposed to do.
I haven't heard back from her yet.
Getting a partner to do the conversation exercises with has been a hassle, too. I don't even want to do them with a partner--I know that I can't really learn the language without it, but I've been working on my own so long now that it makes me very uncomfortable to try to speak off the top of my head. I have really tried to enjoy my french studies, but have come to the conclusion that I just don't care about the language itself anymore...I just want to get my degree.
Anyway, that's where I am. That and trying to find a job. I applied for a couple recently, but have heard nothing. I think it's because they look at the fact that I'm already employed part time and not planning to quit that job (though I would certainly adjust the amount of time spent on it). Thing is, most applications don't really give room for explanations like that. So from now on I'm just going to put "more money" under "reason for leaving" instead of "N/A" which is what I have been putting.
I resigned from one of my jobs earlier this week. Financially it hurts, but the job was really sucking the life out of me, and my family requested that I ditch it. So I did.
My house is a lot cleaner this week, haha!
shallbe
_____________________________
Taking a break...
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/7/2010 1:49:16 AM
|
|
|
alwaysinjoy2000
Posts: 419
Joined: 1/25/2010
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: Grace-N-Mercy
alwaysinjoy, thank you for sharing your story! And I pray that God is able to bless you, and allow you to bless others, in your new profession! I love my vets... they seem to really love their job and take good care of my kitties. Grad school can be a very frustrating experience. Why we do this to ourselves is beyond me! But that's why we have this support group... we all have our ups and downs and come here to support, and be supported!
So I'm coming in to share my "up" story. It's been a while since I've been in here, so I'll explain. Back in July, I was taking a class on campus and they were explaining the internship procedure. I already knew a lot about it and was contemplating how I was going to balance my regular full-time counseling job with an additional internship. The way I had planned it out was this: I would work my regular job, 9-5ish, then drive about 30-40 miles to the internship site (I had two places in mind), and do this as much as I could over 2 or 3 semesters. Well, I truly was not looking forward to this kind of a schedule... it would be exhausting. But many people before me have done the same. While I was in class, however, I learned that on top of my internship (3 credits), I would have to take an additional class!
With that impossible scenario before me, I immediately knew what I had to do... leave the job and work on school full-time. I immediately had such a peace about it. That night, I went back to the hotel room (the campus is not nearby) and looked at my finances. It could work!! So I prayed about it and EVERYTHING fell into place. You've also got to know that from January until July, I had several large issues with my job and had been contemplating going in a very different career direction, but all those doors were closed. When this opened, it was like God was saying "here's where I want you to go". There was no doubt whatsoever in my mind that this is the path He had for me. So I told my employer, gave about a month's notice, and left in mid-August. In the Fall, I took three online classes, so I was able to sit at home and work diligently.
In January, I started my internship with Hospice. I had never, ever considered working with the elderly before, but there was absolutely no apprehension about doing so after my interview with them. I just finished my fourth week of internship (and I'm working 32 hours/week, which is a lot in comparison to the other students). This just feels so natural! Yes, I have seen people in the active dying process and have seen three patients who died shortly after my visits. It has been a great spiritual experience as well. There are several Christians there who are counselors and nurses, and of course the Chaplains, and I feel very free about sharing my faith in the workplace (though there are limits about sharing our faith with patients). They also seem to enjoy having me there, so I'm hoping this turns into full-time by the time I'm finished. I'm just so thrilled to see how God has been so visible in all of this. But I also think that if He hadn't made Himself visible, I would've ditched this whole thing a long time ago.
Wow, it sounds like my situation..how trusting God it all then falls so neatly into place when you can never have imagined it doing that. I love that feeling of peace, that you're going in the right direction God wants you to go..even though it's not going to be the easiest thing I've ever done, I'm still not worried! Sure I do go through my "downs", but I have been so motivated to succeed since I decided to go back to school.
I know it's God, there's no other way and I love it.
quote:
ORIGINAL: debilyn
Alwaysinjoy and Grace-n-Mercy, what lovely and encouraging stories.
I hope everyone is doing well this semester. It seems so strange not to have a class this semester, but I am also enjoying the break. I have one more class to take, then I will be starting my junior year studies. Five more gen-ed classes and the rest will all be in my English major. I'm excited to be in the mid-pack of the journey.
Thank you! Did you decide to take a break this semester or you just didn't have any classes you needed to take at the moment? So you're majoring in English? What kind of classes do you need to take as an English major? Sorry for all the questions, I'm naturally curious person. (I'm always asking the "why's" and "how's" behind things..).
quote:
ORIGINAL: ShallbeRebuilt
Wow some of you are really finding things working out for you!
I am very relieved to be able to stay HOME now, instead of driving two hours one way to campus. I miss everyone a LOT, and miss being involved in learning about music, but I don't miss the on-the-road-at-5:30 mornings.
As some of you know, I am finishing the foreign language requirement for my degree online. I am enrolled in second semester French, which I spent all LAST semester preparing for on my own.
It's going ok, or at least I thought it was. I made a 90% on my first exam, but when I read the teacher's comments she said that I had only completed 64% of my homework! I thought I had done every bit of it, and made sure I got 100% on everything. So now I have emailed the professor asking what in the world I didn't do that I was supposed to do.
I haven't heard back from her yet.
Getting a partner to do the conversation exercises with has been a hassle, too. I don't even want to do them with a partner--I know that I can't really learn the language without it, but I've been working on my own so long now that it makes me very uncomfortable to try to speak off the top of my head. I have really tried to enjoy my french studies, but have come to the conclusion that I just don't care about the language itself anymore...I just want to get my degree.
Anyway, that's where I am. That and trying to find a job. I applied for a couple recently, but have heard nothing. I think it's because they look at the fact that I'm already employed part time and not planning to quit that job (though I would certainly adjust the amount of time spent on it). Thing is, most applications don't really give room for explanations like that. So from now on I'm just going to put "more money" under "reason for leaving" instead of "N/A" which is what I have been putting.
I resigned from one of my jobs earlier this week. Financially it hurts, but the job was really sucking the life out of me, and my family requested that I ditch it. So I did.
My house is a lot cleaner this week, haha!
shallbe
Is your interest in music? Wow, driving 2 hours ONE way to campus, that is dedication, I admire your commitment to learning about something you obviously have a passion for. What kind of music? I'm not too familiar with what you do for this major/degree. Do you play any instruments? I used to play the piano, from the age of 10 to 17. I remember I used to hate going to my lessons.lol. I do get the "urge" to play every now and then, it's relaxing/soothing, kind of hard to explain.
I can't believe I'm still awake. I was studying chemistry, actually been at it all day since I've been snowed in so I didn't have anything else to do. I figured I might as well right?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/8/2010 8:47:13 AM
|
|
|
debilyn
Posts: 225
Status: offline
|
Alwaysinjoy, I took this semester off because of some important deadlines that I need to deal with at work this semester. I work at a small college while pursuing my degree one class at a time.
English requires a lot of literature classes mostly, with a few writing classes scattered along the way. I enjoy the classics of literature - and some modern stuff - but there are a few works of literature that I'd just as soon not read, as morals are extremely lax or not there at all. I suffer through those by skimming the book and taking notes on what is emphasized in class. Thankfully, the theme of the work is more important than the details.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/18/2010 1:11:12 PM
|
|
|
alwaysinjoy2000
Posts: 419
Joined: 1/25/2010
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: debilyn
Alwaysinjoy, I took this semester off because of some important deadlines that I need to deal with at work this semester. I work at a small college while pursuing my degree one class at a time.
English requires a lot of literature classes mostly, with a few writing classes scattered along the way. I enjoy the classics of literature - and some modern stuff - but there are a few works of literature that I'd just as soon not read, as morals are extremely lax or not there at all. I suffer through those by skimming the book and taking notes on what is emphasized in class. Thankfully, the theme of the work is more important than the details.
What literature classes have you taken? I know what you mean about a busy schedule! Sometimes it can get overwhelming to juggle it all..work, class, studying, etc. I'm currently taking 2 science classes w/ labs this semester and it surprised me how much work I have to do for the labs (it's like taking 4 classes!).
Anyways, I'm a little surprised at how many older students in my classes! One of my lab partners for my chemistry lab is 45, working full time and finishing her biology degree after 20 years, another is a mother of 2 who also works full time going back to school to take prereqs so she can go to medical school. It feels nice to know I'm not the only non-traditional student! In my biology lab, one of the students at my lab table was shocked when I told her I was 30. I think she was 20-22, your typical college age student. If you could have seen the look on her face, even the professor thought I looked good for my age.lol.
So how is everyone doing in their classes so far this semester? I just took my biology exam last night and I'm sure I aced it!  I have my chemistry exam next Tuesday, so one down and one to go!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/18/2010 4:39:41 PM
|
|
|
karlie
Posts: 4288
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Central California
Status: offline
|
quote:
So how is everyone doing in their classes so far this semester? I just took my biology exam last night and I'm sure I aced it!
Very cool! That's a good feeling! I hate it when you leave an exam not having a clue how you did, or thinking you did badly.
I'm doing well...I had this month off because of the way my cohort's class schedule lined up, but I start back a week from Monday and will be glad to get back to it. My last grade came in and was another A, so I'm a happy camper!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/19/2010 9:15:17 AM
|
|
|
alwaysinjoy2000
Posts: 419
Joined: 1/25/2010
Status: offline
|
That's great! So what do you plan to do after grad school? How long is the MA in counseling? What kind of classes and work do you have to do for this degree?
Oh and thank you, I was pretty excited myself too.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/19/2010 3:06:58 PM
|
|
|
karlie
Posts: 4288
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Central California
Status: offline
|
quote:
That's great! So what do you plan to do after grad school?
Get a job, I hope! lol! My goal is to work for a non-profit, at least for awhile until I can sit for my state boards for my license. I want to work specifically with children in crisis/trauma. I'm open to working with adults too, but children are my passion. I already work with abused kids(assistant director for a summer camp for abused kids), so that's where my heart is. Maybe in the very long run, private practice, but I'm not totally set on that...if God wants me to stay with a small non-profit, as long as I can make a decent living, I'm good with that.
quote:
How long is the MA in counseling? What kind of classes and work do you have to do for this degree?
It's an 18 month long accelerated program. For this degree, you need a BA in psychology to get accepted, then it's just taking all the intensive counseling courses. They all pertain to counseling various populations, law and ethics for therapists, treatment of addictions, dealing with abnormal psych patients, psychopharmocology, etc. I also have 300 practicum hours I have to complete, which is practicing therapy under a licensed supervisor...on the job training, so to speak! In fact, Tuesday afternoon, I have my second interview with a panel of therapists at the place I want to do my practicum. I had the supervisor interview and that went great, now I have to see what their staff thinks. I'm just praying it works out. This agency deals strictly with trauma and abuse, so it's exactly the training I want to get. I'd love for it to work out, then maybe even work into a real job after graduation!
What about you? What are your goals after school?
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/19/2010 7:51:00 PM
|
|
|
alwaysinjoy2000
Posts: 419
Joined: 1/25/2010
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: karlie
quote:
That's great! So what do you plan to do after grad school?
Get a job, I hope! lol! My goal is to work for a non-profit, at least for awhile until I can sit for my state boards for my license. I want to work specifically with children in crisis/trauma. I'm open to working with adults too, but children are my passion. I already work with abused kids(assistant director for a summer camp for abused kids), so that's where my heart is. Maybe in the very long run, private practice, but I'm not totally set on that...if God wants me to stay with a small non-profit, as long as I can make a decent living, I'm good with that.
Lol, yeah a job would be nice right? And I know what you mean about a decent living. I don't care if I make tons of money or not, that's not why I choose this path for myself. I think it just matters I go in the direction God wants me to as well.
quote:
How long is the MA in counseling? What kind of classes and work do you have to do for this degree?
It's an 18 month long accelerated program. For this degree, you need a BA in psychology to get accepted, then it's just taking all the intensive counseling courses. They all pertain to counseling various populations, law and ethics for therapists, treatment of addictions, dealing with abnormal psych patients, psychopharmocology, etc. I also have 300 practicum hours I have to complete, which is practicing therapy under a licensed supervisor...on the job training, so to speak! In fact, Tuesday afternoon, I have my second interview with a panel of therapists at the place I want to do my practicum. I had the supervisor interview and that went great, now I have to see what their staff thinks. I'm just praying it works out. This agency deals strictly with trauma and abuse, so it's exactly the training I want to get. I'd love for it to work out, then maybe even work into a real job after graduation!
What about you? What are your goals after school?
Wow, sounds like a lot of work in such a short period of time! A year and a half. Actually, a few of your courses sound interesting like the treatment of addictions, abnormal psych patients, and psychopharmocology.
So how does the practicum hours work? Does the school provide the students with a list of places that are willing to let you get on-the-job training? And then you go and interview? What kinds of things will you be able to do on the job? Will you actually get to counsel one-on-one by yourself or will you have a supervisor in the room too?
Oh and I have a lot I have to do too. Right now I am taking the science prereqs necessary to apply to vet school. (includes classes like one year of biology, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of general physics, and several upper level biology courses). I will finish with the prereqs in the Spring of 2012, I plan to put in my application by the Fall of 2011 for the Fall 2012 class. It's a similar process to medical school, have to take GREs, have to get recommendations, I also need animal experience/research/vet hours as well. It's a 4 year program like medical school too.
It's a lot of work, but I don't think about that I just take it one day at a time. I already have an idea of what area of vet medicine I'd like to go into. There is so much out there, but I can already tell based on my personality, that I am thinking research would be a challenging area for me. I work at a small animal hospital now and while I love working there, I don't find it challenging enough for me. I volunteer at a farm when I can and while it's interesting learning about large animals, I can't see myself going that route either. I also plan on volunteering at the local animal shelter in March. The only thing I would like to do (that I haven't) is work or volunteer at a lab in research, maybe on campus with a professor if I can find a research assistant position open in the summer of fall!
I've been praying about it to God a lot lately, for Him to provide this opportunity to drop in my lap. I'm not worried, so far God has provided everything I need so I know I can find some type of research assistant position!
SO, that's my..2-6 year plan condensed and summarized! 
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/19/2010 8:13:11 PM
|
|
|
carebearstare
Posts: 75
Joined: 10/9/2009
Status: offline
|
bink! this is going to be a self accountability post sort of, because it is about that time, folks, where the big stallout valley (that THANKFULLY did not end up with me ruining my career) really starts seeing distance between itself and my backside. gotta keep up and build more and more momentum though, if i'm going to do what i'mmma gonna doooo!
so thesis 1 draft 1, about 30pgs: done.
to do: edits, reference formatting, and pictures while i wait on the rest of the edits.
Thank You, Lord, for bringing me back and letting me fulfill my obligations as I am supposed to!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/20/2010 4:56:34 PM
|
|
|
karlie
Posts: 4288
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Central California
Status: offline
|
quote:
So how does the practicum hours work? Does the school provide the students with a list of places that are willing to let you get on-the-job training? And then you go and interview? What kinds of things will you be able to do on the job? Will you actually get to counsel one-on-one by yourself or will you have a supervisor in the room too?
The school does give a list to work from, but we can also choose sites not on the list, if we have them approved. We call them and see if they are accepting students for practicum, then interview like a regular job. They decide if you will be a good fit and work well with the population they serve, and if they think you can make the time commitment they want, etc, and then it's up to the agency to accept you or not. Yes, I will be doing one on one therapy/counseling, and learning to run groups. I not sure how this place does the supervising. That's something I still need to find out.
quote:
It's a lot of work, but I don't think about that I just take it one day at a time. I already have an idea of what area of vet medicine I'd like to go into
Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you too! But when you enjoy what you're studying, it's so much easier to commit and get through it all. My daughter still goes back to the idea of perusing veterinary medicine at times. She's considering going back for a second bachelors(she graduates with an English degree in may) and going on to vet school. She's taken a lot of bio and chem classes back before she changed her major to English. She's just not sure what she wants to do long term yet. She's decided to take some time off after graduation before making any major decisions.
Good luck to you!
quote:
so thesis 1 draft 1, about 30pgs: done
Wow...that's a big accomplishment!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/24/2010 10:05:32 PM
|
|
|
karlie
Posts: 4288
Joined: 4/10/2005
From: Central California
Status: offline
|
My interview was rescheduled. Ahhhh! The supervisor called me yesterday morning and said she was so sick she could hardly stand up. Part of me was relieved, but the other part wants it over with! So, it's rescheduled for March 16th. I hate it hanging over my head for the next 3 weeks, but I'm trusting God's timing has a purpose, so it'll all be good in the end!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/26/2010 7:35:44 AM
|
|
|
kasey9fan
Posts: 8
Joined: 1/5/2009
From: The 9x13 pan the middle of the USA
Status: offline
|
Hi!
I just found this thread. I am a returning college student. I went to college about 15 years ago and did pretty bad. I am busting my tail but I am feeling really discouraged. I had planned on majoring in Social Work as my husband and father are both veterans and get help through Social Workers at the VA. Well, there are two stumbling blocks; the field work and my GPA. I am doing great this time around but my grades from the first time are following me and get figured into my GPA and bring it down, waaaaaay down. I decided to get a degree in Sociology and then I could pursue my masters in s.w., but no one offers night classes in Sociology. The University of Kansas (my college of choice) has daytime classes but I work. Last night I cried I was so aggrevated.
Thank you for letting me vent my frustration. I just need a lot of prayer because right now I feel like throwing in the towel.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/26/2010 3:41:27 PM
|
|
|
Auben
Posts: 530
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Where pines tower and cranberries float
Status: offline
|
My sister's going to college for social work right now. It's interesting to see someone who was so anti-school (my sister I mean) embrace this. She's going online.
I'm only taking 2 grad courses this semester...and it is a lot more doable then last semester. I've also decided to slow down my timetable. My son with special needs is a lot more work then I realize and this way we won't have to go into debt (more than the 1st semesters worth anyway).
I'm at peace with it. Although I'm at an age when I'm thinking hurry! hurry!!
_____________________________
Tamara
~Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time~
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/27/2010 7:32:13 PM
|
|
|
alwaysinjoy2000
Posts: 419
Joined: 1/25/2010
Status: offline
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: kasey9fan
Hi!
I just found this thread. I am a returning college student. I went to college about 15 years ago and did pretty bad. I am busting my tail but I am feeling really discouraged. I had planned on majoring in Social Work as my husband and father are both veterans and get help through Social Workers at the VA. Well, there are two stumbling blocks; the field work and my GPA. I am doing great this time around but my grades from the first time are following me and get figured into my GPA and bring it down, waaaaaay down. I decided to get a degree in Sociology and then I could pursue my masters in s.w., but no one offers night classes in Sociology. The University of Kansas (my college of choice) has daytime classes but I work. Last night I cried I was so aggrevated.
Thank you for letting me vent my frustration. I just need a lot of prayer because right now I feel like throwing in the towel.
I'm sorry things don't seem to be working out for you right. Keep praying, I'm sure God will open a door of opportunity for you. It may seem impossible but trust God!
Oh and I didn't know your previous GPA could figure into your current GPA? If you transfer from one school to another, the only thing that should transfer are the credits you earned, not the grade (at least that's how it worked for me...). I should know, when I was young and immature I didn't do well and bounced all over the place before graduating with an accounting degree (only to later realize it wasn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life! lol), so I am pretty familiar with transferring to another school to finish one's education.
Don't give up! Since I started the whole process of going back to school, it was very difficult in the first..3 months after I put in my application to the school I'm at taking these science classes right now. It seemed that EVERY roadblock you can possibly imagine was put in my path. No joke or exaggeration here! Many times it seemed impossible, that I wouldn't be able to do this! Whether it was applying as the wrong student classification and having to go to admissions office several times to get everything resolved, or having financial aid problems (I think I may have e-mailed the financial aid counselor back and forth at least a dozen times in one month! lol), or then finding out the classes I wanted to register for were full to capacity, etc. Yeah, it seemed one thing after another!
Every time I thought I would just give up, I think God wouldn't let me. It was difficult...put I slowly learned that I had to trust God. You know, don't worry about the details of how or why, let God handle that. I just started relying on Him more and slowly trying to live my life to please Him and obey Him and it all gradually fell into place. So now when I look back over the past few months it's made me more...confident and sure now, even though I know there is a lot more difficulties ahead. I *know* God will be there for me, He won't let me down now that He's set me on this path. I think God used that intial 3 month period to make me rely totally on Him for support.
So I definitely think God will open a door for you if you let Him!
quote:
ORIGINAL: Auben
My sister's going to college for social work right now. It's interesting to see someone who was so anti-school (my sister I mean) embrace this. She's going online.
I'm only taking 2 grad courses this semester...and it is a lot more doable then last semester. I've also decided to slow down my timetable. My son with special needs is a lot more work then I realize and this way we won't have to go into debt (more than the 1st semesters worth anyway).
I'm at peace with it. Although I'm at an age when I'm thinking hurry! hurry!!
Lol. I'm impatient as well! I try not to look ahead and think of what I need to do and that "I want to be there now!". It's hard thought because I get excited and want it all to hurry too.lol.
Well, I have decided to declare a minor in chemistry! I would only have to take an additional 3 upper-level chemistry courses to get this minor (I have to take organic chemistry I & II and biochemistry I for biology majors wanting to go onto a professional school such as vet or med school, which I can count toward the minor in chemistry).
I decided on this choice because more and more I feel working in research field is where the end goal will be for me. So I chose a minor in chemistry and also plan on taking biology electives in molecular genetics, biotechnology and genetic engineering.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Older (Returning) Student Support Thread - 2/28/2010 7:51:17 AM
|
|
|
ShallbeRebuilt
Posts: 220
Joined: 11/8/2007
Status: offline
|
Yes, one's former scores do figure in. I have made nothing but A's since going back to school 3 years and 40-something credits ago, but I still just have a 3.7 GPA.
Often wish I could explain how important it is to keep your grade point high to some of the youngsters, but of course, they wouldn't listen any more than I did.
Btw, I'm not bragging about the GPA. Some of us have the opposite problem--that of not being able to relax enough and put our priorities where they ought to be to love and serve our families because we're too fixated on making A's...
shallbe
_____________________________
Taking a break...
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
I haven't taken Math in ages and I'm wondering if I can pull this off by Fall. This certificate could allow me to make double what I'm making now, so I feel a little motivated to get it done. 
