Nearly 21 years ago, I
graduated high school. I was a nerd - I liked school & made pretty
good grades. Up until my junior year, my plan was to pursue a career in
teaching. Hands down without a doubt - education was where I would
be. During my junior English class one day we were discussing future
career plans, I said "teach". I remember the teacher (who I won't name
as I believe she still teaches at my old high school) rolling her eyes
and proceeding to tell me what a thankless job it was. Now I don't know
that I "heard" her as she intended me to receive that message, but I
can tell you this - my dream was crushed. I felt like a deflated
balloon. In hindsight, I REGRET that I allowed her to make me fell the
way she did when she made that comment. Suddenly, I felt like I was in a
tailspin trying to figure out what to do with my life. My parents
always encouraged me to be what I wanted to be - but I couldn't erase
the words the teacher had written on my heart.
I shifted my focus toward healthcare -- I quickly identified nursing was NOT for me, but thought perhaps radiology technology would be a better fit. Problem solved? I was accepted into the RT program at Forsyth Tech and received a small scholarship after graduation. I never really felt comfortable in the program - almost like a fish out of water. Once we started clinical rotations - I knew it was NOT for me. I tried to hang on as long as I could but I was MISERABLE and finally quit. I had no idea what direction I would go next and started working full-time.
For many years, I regretted not finishing my education. I made 1001 excuses about why it wasn't the right time or why I couldn't go back to school. In May 2008, my husband suffered a massive heart attack. Really quickly, I learned the value of time - we aren't promised our next breath. I began to reflect on my life -- there were some decisions I'd made in life that I could change and others I couldn't. I started a "bucket list" and one of those items was finishing my education before I turned 40. It was one regret in life I had the power to do something about.
In January 2009, I met with Dean Williams at Salem College. I intended to ease myself in by taking summer classes and then going full-time in the fall. Next thing, I know I'm enrolled full-time in the spring! The rest shall we say was history. For the next 3 years, I worked full-time, attended school full-time, and attempted to be a good wife and mother along the way. It would have been easy for me to change my mind - my husband lost his job the NIGHT I had orientation to start classes - maybe I shouldn't? But I pressed on. The following summer he had another small health set-back - maybe I shouldn't? but I pressed on. I've had more than enough opportunities to make reasonable excuses these past 3 years - but I pressed on.
On Saturday, May 19th -- I will walk across the stage at Salem College to receive my bachelor's degree in Sociology. I will check-off one of many items on my bucket list. I know there are many people who have questioned my decision to return to school or did not understand why I wanted to at this stage in my life. And that's ok. I know it was the right time and the right thing to do -- too many doors opened when I thought they were closed; a class offered when it shouldn't have been until the following semester; a small scholarship out of the blue.
If I tried to thank everyone who has helped make this journey possible, I would surely forget someone by name. It is the incredible support of family and friends and my faith that have got me to this point. You believed in me, when I didn't believe in myself. You encouraged me, when I needed it most. You picked up my child after school, and cared for him until I was out of class. You rejoiced in my small accomplishments as well as my large ones. YOU knew I could do it. And Saturday - it will be in celebration of you supporting me!
Some of my inspirational quotes along the way...
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing, you think you cannot do" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
"I would rather say 'I did it' than 'I gave up'"
"If not now, when?"
I shifted my focus toward healthcare -- I quickly identified nursing was NOT for me, but thought perhaps radiology technology would be a better fit. Problem solved? I was accepted into the RT program at Forsyth Tech and received a small scholarship after graduation. I never really felt comfortable in the program - almost like a fish out of water. Once we started clinical rotations - I knew it was NOT for me. I tried to hang on as long as I could but I was MISERABLE and finally quit. I had no idea what direction I would go next and started working full-time.
For many years, I regretted not finishing my education. I made 1001 excuses about why it wasn't the right time or why I couldn't go back to school. In May 2008, my husband suffered a massive heart attack. Really quickly, I learned the value of time - we aren't promised our next breath. I began to reflect on my life -- there were some decisions I'd made in life that I could change and others I couldn't. I started a "bucket list" and one of those items was finishing my education before I turned 40. It was one regret in life I had the power to do something about.
In January 2009, I met with Dean Williams at Salem College. I intended to ease myself in by taking summer classes and then going full-time in the fall. Next thing, I know I'm enrolled full-time in the spring! The rest shall we say was history. For the next 3 years, I worked full-time, attended school full-time, and attempted to be a good wife and mother along the way. It would have been easy for me to change my mind - my husband lost his job the NIGHT I had orientation to start classes - maybe I shouldn't? But I pressed on. The following summer he had another small health set-back - maybe I shouldn't? but I pressed on. I've had more than enough opportunities to make reasonable excuses these past 3 years - but I pressed on.
On Saturday, May 19th -- I will walk across the stage at Salem College to receive my bachelor's degree in Sociology. I will check-off one of many items on my bucket list. I know there are many people who have questioned my decision to return to school or did not understand why I wanted to at this stage in my life. And that's ok. I know it was the right time and the right thing to do -- too many doors opened when I thought they were closed; a class offered when it shouldn't have been until the following semester; a small scholarship out of the blue.
If I tried to thank everyone who has helped make this journey possible, I would surely forget someone by name. It is the incredible support of family and friends and my faith that have got me to this point. You believed in me, when I didn't believe in myself. You encouraged me, when I needed it most. You picked up my child after school, and cared for him until I was out of class. You rejoiced in my small accomplishments as well as my large ones. YOU knew I could do it. And Saturday - it will be in celebration of you supporting me!
Some of my inspirational quotes along the way...
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing, you think you cannot do" ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
"I would rather say 'I did it' than 'I gave up'"
"If not now, when?"
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