My Experience as a Student of a Community College

My mother gave me good advice when I married at age twenty, when I mentioned I was sorry I never got my college degree. She told me It was never too late to go back to college. I had given birth to my first child I felt it was not feasible, "if I took only one class a semester it would take me forever to earn my college degree". My wise mother replied, I remember it as if were yesterday, "the years go by anyway, and if you only take one class a semester you will eventually earn your degree". I did not listen to her at the time. I thought I knew better. I had forever felt sorry I did not take her advice!

The years passed, as she said, and I gave birth to two other children. My husband died at the age of 40, and I had to raise the children alone. I often thought about the advice my mother gave me. If I had listened to her, I would have become teacher by now, and earning money to raise my family.

Time passed. I remarried. Life took another bad turn. My husband died sixteen years later. Once again I was alone. I cried. I was despondent and lonely. Now, it was my children who advised me to go back to school and get my degree.

It took me 5 years later, and nagging by my kids, to finally walk into Seminole Community College and find out how I could become a college student at my age. By this time I was sixty-three.

Admission - The Road to Becoming a College Graduate

I was introduced to a College Student Counselor, I asked questions and she replied.. She made it sound easy for me to return to school at my age. After a two hour visit, I walked out the door to pay my enrollment fees. I was finally a registered college student. I felt as if I were flying. my dream would come true after all.

My mother had told me years ago. It is never too late to capture a dream. It took me all this time to listen! Admission was easier than I thought.

Required Classes For My Associate of Arts (AA) Degree

The following weeks were astounding. I was on Cloud 9. I was tested in Math and found I needed to take High School Algebra. My previous grades were low. That took one semester.
After passing Algebra I was able to enroll in collage classes.

I studied Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Geology, Physiology, Drama, and Public Speaking. I loved each course. In Public Speaking I had to write as well as give my Speech. I received an A+. I was a writer and writing came easy. I was outgoing and not nervous to stand in front of the class to speak. Actually my age worked for me. My daughter helped to teach me Geometry. The tables turned. I took Acting and performed in a play.

I did not rush or care if the two year degree took three or more years to complete. I loved learning, studying for tests, getting high grades and my life, in general, this college student did not want it to end.

Social Activities I Enjoyed

I did whatever the other college students did. I ate lunch in the lunchroom. I was invited to sit at their table. At times they came to me for advice. Age was no barrier at Seminole Community College. I made friends with everyone including the cafeteria workers, students, Dean of the College and the professors and the handy men. Everyone knew and waved to me. I had a ball.

When we had a guest speaker I attended. If there were other types of entertainment I was there. I fell in love with every part and moment of the college and enjoyed walking the Campus. I was in the school library at least once a week. lapped it all in. It was one of the best moments in my adult life. I highly recommend it.

I attended the college theater and attended a play, Since I was a Classical Pianist I attended every Piano Concert.. My zest for life and living compounded. I felt younger and happier than I had been in a long time. It carried over to this very day!

Graduation Day

My children and friends took me out to lunch the day of my graduation. I was given hugs and kisses and graduation gifts. Balloons were tied to the chair and I had tears of happiness in my eyes. I was a sixty-eight year young college graduate and felt like a kid.

i walked down the aisle in my cap and gown on graduation day. The Dean hugged me and told the audience nice things about me and they all stood up and clapped. I was crying from joy. I have tears in my eyes now as I remember that day.

I reached my goal. I graduated with an Associated Degree at the age of sixty-eight with Honors! I did it!