Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Going back to school after 30!
As I sit here waiting for my next class, I start to become overwhelmed at the many things that I have to do today. I have three classes today, three postings that I must do before they day is over, I have to clean the chicken legs in the refrigerator for dinner later, write the proposals for my vocal training business, create a schedule for my entire family, create a guest list for my baby shower, wash clothes, unpack form a trip I took, and go through various tracks to begin writing a song to. Even with this laundry list of things, I can go on for about three more sentences of what needs to get done before the week's end. I just want to scream! Suddenly, a ray of hope shines through when my 3 year old so rudely busts through my office doors to show me that he drew the letter A. Then it hit me. Going back to school was one of the best things that I could have done not just for myself, but for my kids too. If mommy is studying, then he will want to study too. As I gave him tremendous praise for his sensational works accomplished in kisses and hugs, I notice while he walks out, he puts his slim water proof marker behind his ear. As cute as that may seem, it only proves my point exactly. When he closes the door behind him on his way off to create more letters, I took off my glasses to rub my eyes and what do you know? A pen falls from my right ear, and suddenly it's all worth it:) Are you back in school after 30? What does it mean to you? Let's talk:)
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Well, first of all, KJ writing the A is clearly the most important event to take place this year!!!!!!!!!!! I started back after years of working to work on my Doctorate degree. I was 30 and my goal was to have it completed by 35. Well, i did it! But, not without hardwork. I found myself to be a better student and a more focused one in my 30's. In college,at 17, 18 and 19..I didnt understand the purpose of a higher education. It wasnt until I hit 30 and began to work on my Doctorate degree I realized, that it is a vital component in my life. It would be my cushion when times were tough and I estimated right! It's tough to work and do school and still have a life but in the end...i think it's worth it:) Education serves as your downpayment on your future. Your "get out of jail free" card. It's a security blanket but most of all it shows you can start something, finish it and learn from this thing called life. It doesnt mean you know everything but it shows you that you can prioritize, handle stress and deal with issues on a daily basis. It better equips you for the real world. I say, Kudo's, to anyone who goes back to school beyond 30!
ReplyDeleteI really think it's great when people in their 30s, 40s and 50s go back to school to further their education. It's brilliant. The ability to learn and apply is a great gift.
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER. I am currently in my final year of an Undergraduate Degree in Modern History aged 21 and I have a number of 'older' students in some of my classes. I will say one thing to a select few 'older' pupils - please don't come into class and be disrespectful to the younger students thinking you know more than them because of your age - age is not always wisdom - especially when my essay marks are much higher than yours!!! You are there to learn like the rest of us. That's all :)
It's great that you're furthering your education Syleena, it's a great example for your son too! It's dangerous to leave school without any strong qualifications hoping to make it big in the industry or some other field - there is no guarantee and it's smart to have something to fall back on!!
I'm in my 30's and back in school for my Masters and although it's hard, I'm showing my 3 yr old daughter that it can still be done. I have support from my husband and family and the days when I feel like giving up, I continue to encourage myself and look at things from a different point of view. I'm back in school, my daughter see me studying and she's doing the same thing. She's 3, she's able to read, write the letters of the alphabet, and she's actually in school (not daycare) and she's learning a new language. It may seem as though, I'm pushing her to do more, but these are things that she find joy in doing, and education is important, and the importance of education should began at home. Syleena it's great that you decided to further your education. There is nothing more greater than an educated black woman. :) much success to you
ReplyDeleteTomeika
I agree with you guys and appreciate your comments. I too find myself a better and more focused student and I commend anyone who furthers there education past a BA. I am working on my BA and just to get this is such a chore. Continuing is so brave and shows such great strength. It's just too bad that I didn't feel this way in my early 20's. I dropped out of college 3 years in to sign a record deal with jive records. In 2009, I enrolled at Kaplan University for a Nutrition Science major, inspired by my family. My husband is a pro athlete and my having a child made me want to help him start his life out with the best nutrition possible. It is very challenging hen your three year old only wants noodles and marshmallows, but I manage to sneak in some other things from time to time that are nutritious for him. It is hard because he is going through the picky eating stage
ReplyDeleteThis is a great thing! I am currently finishing up an Undergrad certificate at DeVry in Health Care Information Technology Support, just 29 years of age, but in January, when I turn 30, I will be working on a BS in Health Care Administration at Indiana Tech. Sometimes it's a scary thing to go back to school after being out so long, but I believe that anything worth having, you work hard for, no matter how unsure the path seems. You can do it Syleena! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been in school since I was 19 years old. I always wanted to be a Registered Nurse and at the age of 31 I decided to go back to school and reach my goal of becoming a Nurse. I received my CNA at age 30 and became a certified Patient Care Tech, EKG Tech and Phlebotomist this year at the age of 32. I finished with a 4.0 GPA which I'm very proud of. I think that at the age of 32 i take school more serious than I would have at a younger age. I understand everything more and I'm more focused. I used to think that I was to old to go back to school but discovered that the average age of a Nurse is 45 years old which 32 years old is considered a very young Nurse. The Patient Care Tech program was a tough one but has prepared me for College which I will be starting in January 2011 to start my prerquisites for the Nursing Program.
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