I have a kid in college. It’s hard for me to believe that I could possibly be that old.At the time my daughter was considering her college options, she was discussing it with me, her mom, who had never set foot in a college classroom.
How could I help her make her decisions when I had no experience in making them myself.? How could she rely on me for sage advice if I had no clue of what she was going through and I had never had to navigate those situations. It would be like an inexperienced driver trying to coach another inexperienced driver through the Indianapolis 500.
So, I decided to change that. I enrolled in my local community college.
Now, I can’t say that I have had the same college experience I would have if I were my daughter’s age. I will never fully understand the whole dorm experience - my husband might take offense to me moving out and into such close quarters to other co-eds.
The experience I can say I have had is that I now have an appreciation for the process. I understand the heavy course load, the working through the red tape and paper work of enrollment and the exposure to ideas, mindsets, and philosophies that are different than my own. I understand the challenges, the triumphs, and the growing she will do in the next few years.
I have since earned my A.A. and transferred to a university speech communications program. In a way, her search for answers set me on a course to have my own questions answered.
I am so proud of my daughter, now a sophomore in college. She is facing the challenges of university life with grace, dignity, success……and the occasional call home to mom.
To my beautiful daughter: Thank you for asking the questions that spurred me into action. I love you very much and I know you will be successful on whatever path life brings you!
You sound like me two years ago, when I decided to just take one course and see how I felt.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with it.
I'm thinking about taking a few more, but really can't afford to right now.
Great post and congrats on finishing that homework.
My mom decided to go to college after my freshman year. I think that it inspired her to take the leap.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting into school. I also am a non-traditional student. I was out for 5 years and just started again last semester. My little boy was my inspiration for going back, although for different reasons than your inspiration from your daughter.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a completely different ballgame when you are older and going because you want to and not because it's something you're supposed to do. You appreciate it all so much more!
I will graduate with my BA in December and will savor every minute of the time I have left in school!
btw, thanks for displaying my EC advert today =)
That's great! I'm so glad you're able to understand your daughter better - and you're able to learn and grow personally as well!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I, too, love creating new goals and dreams for myself, and then going for it. Keeps us vibrant. Keeps life exciting. BTW--I enjoy your Tweets and your posts.
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