Courage to Change

I'm a rebel. I wanted out of school once I got past the fun part, which for me, was about the end of third grade. This defiant attitude led me to self-defeating behavior, limiting my thirst for learning to what I wanted to determine, not what I needed to acquire. I never envisioned myself ever returning to class after I dropped out and became a sixteen-year-old bride. In the course of the next twenty-eight years, a gradual awareness was borne to me concerning the need for stimulation in my monotonous, routine life.

After measureless experience as a cute wife, meticulous homemaker, superb cook, effective parent, and seasoned employee of numerous companies, I began to realize that I needed to gain security in my life through understanding that I had denied myself when I left the public school system. I made the decision to seek knowledge that would earn me a college degree. The various changes that have occurred in my life as a result of entering college have been profound.

Perhaps the most outstanding benefit of entering college has been the personal freedom I have gained. My independence has soared because of my choice to move onto campus into an apartment fifty miles from my home, taking full responsibility for myself and no one else. I am free to come and go as I please. I can eat, sleep, clean, bathe, entertain, or socialize as I choose, without anyone else dictating at me. I pay my own rent, assuming full responsibility for my small, temporary accommodations.

In addition to learning new information, my memory and comprehension have increased because of my studies. Memorization of world region maps have earned me perfect geography scores, and having learned quite a bit of insight about globalization in world geography class has been exciting as well. My improved grammar and writing skills have further developed my own style of composition. I have gained enormous insight into concepts in psychology, which I will need to practice in a clinical environment someday.

All this and having the highest scores possible in health, along with recognition of the different types of sounds from music class, has given me a well-rounded mentality. I am refining my comprehension skills because of similar, redundant information assigned in all my classes; in fact, exercising my brain has improved my ability to form productive study habits.

Fortunately, the wisdom I have gained in my life experience enhances the interpretation of my studies. I am able to integrate the way in which I survived those years of ignorance with the skills I perfected when I worked various jobs and interacted with the public. For example, I know when to apply principles like open mindedness and integrity to situations.

Similarly, I am gaining greater physical strength because of going to college. Long walks to and from my vehicle, and from my apartment to class, along with lots of climbing sloped grades, have given me increased muscle strength and flexibility. Weight loss and endurance have resulted, and my arthritis has not caused the usual pain that I live with every day. I don't tire as easily, nor do I have to stop to rest as I did when I first started movement at the beginning of this new adventure.

At the same time, positive change has taken place at home. My husband has become more responsible, having been forced into the care taker role of our comfortable, country home. He has learned to cook, clean, and pay bills because I am no longer there to perform these tasks. His ability to bake a mouth watering chocolate cake with chocolate icing has far exceeded my expectations, and I enjoy the benefits of not living at home all week when I do go home to visit now.;P

On the downside, I will have immense debt as a result of my decision to earn a degree in psychology. Owing a small fortune will be my sole responsibility after completing four or more years of college. I will have to make payments well into my elderly years. I am not too thrilled about the fact that I am accumulating these huge loans. I think as long as I continue to put forth my best efforts, I will do exceedingly well, and I won't mind paying back what I borrowed for support in this endeavor.

Finally, the many changes that have taken place because I am a scholar are in my best interests. I know that hard work usually pays off in the end, and with my goals in sight, I think that I can find satisfaction in the long run.

I have experienced what it is like to be without education, and I think I am more capable than just existing day to day with a job that is not what I need to stimulate my growth. My future looks bright because I have a vision that is realistic, a determination to change what I can, and I will find contentment in the career I have chosen to pursue when I finally have graduated from college.