Personal Journey of a Non-Traditional Student

The decision to go back to school is a very difficult one indeed. Not only are you going back into the classroom, but you are basically putting life as you know it on hold for awhile. I'm sure that everyone knows the stories of how hard it is to be a non-traditional student. Some of us are working, raising children, and going to school full-time. As difficult as it seems, I have just now realized that I love learning!! (It may sound crazy, but it's true.) Unfortunately, the thirst for knowledge doesn't arrive for some of us until later in life. Sometimes things such as goal setting, staying focused, and being motivated doesn't happen until after years of experiencing "the real world".

I can honestly say that I have experienced every aspect of the "real world". I have been married and divorced. I have two children. I have even co-owned a business. But the one thing that has always bothered me was that I never finished college. I had 52 hours accumulated from the couple of years that I attended in early years. Like a lot of people, I made the decision to drop out due to several different reasons. At the time, I wanted to get married and have a family, get a "normal" job, and basically stop being the broke college student. I think some young adults have the tendency to want to grow up quickly.

Years later, it really started bugging me that I didn't finish. Even in casual conversations with people, I really hated saying, "I went for a couple years, didn't get my Bachelors, etc..." But life proceeded to carry on....and then it happened. I got a divorce. My business wasn't going well, and I was faced with making a major life decision. Of course, I could have put more effort into the business, maybe more money, but that was not what I wanted to do. I felt that this was the time to go back to school. What better time than now?? I didn't have a spouse influencing my decision, I could sell my share of the business, and my kids are older and a bit more independent. NOW WAS THE TIME.

Some people were surprised that I made this decision, some were not. I could tell that people had uncertainty in their voices when they found out. But the only real downfall was a temporary financial setback. (Trust me; I reviewed the pros and cons.) I even talked to my children about it, and I felt that it would be good for them to see me finish.

I went back to campus, reenrolled, and made a schedule within a couple of weeks. I was excited when I bought my books and school supplies, just like when I was a kid. It really was fun to walk to class, see new faces, and to be around people that have their whole future ahead of them. It is very inspirational.

Going back to school has completely changed my life, I only have two semesters left to graduate, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me. I wasn't raised in an academic family, so I will be the first one to graduate from college. My children and I study together, share the things that we are learning about, and set goals for their future and mine. Making a commitment to academics isn't only changing my life, but my children's lives as well.