I had my final test today for the first summer session. Before heading to the testing center, I went to the bookstore to find out which books I’ll need next semester. If I can, I want to try to get them somewhere cheaper online. After leaving the bookstore, I settled down in the student center with my Red Bull, textbook, and the sounds of Wimbledon in the background. I went over my notes for the test and watched the students move around campus.
After finishing my test, I headed back to my car. It’s a gorgeous day outside and I’m excited about my future. While giving directions to someone, it occurred to me that my life has followed the path it needed to follow. I am where I am supposed to be.
I won’t go so far as to say everyone should work fulltime before going to college, but I’d highly recommend it. In high school, I was a…hmm…I would never say I am a “good” student (because I’m not). But, I did well enough in my classes to graduate with the top of my class. But, I didn’t study, I didn’t pay attention in class, and to say I wasn’t prepared for college is an understatement. Although I was lucky enough to go to college on a full academic scholarship, I didn’t appreciate it. I had no idea on how to handle classes that required effort on my part. Combined with that, I was struggling with how to handle my sexuality, my parents’ divorce and my own insecurities. In my mind, my education wasn’t as important as the teen angst I was going through.
Now, however, I get it. After working for 9 years, I appreciate where an education can take me. I’ve matured emotionally, and even if something stressful happened, I’m more equipped to handle it now. School is significant to me in a way that I could never grasp at 18.
Better late than never, right?
Alliance of Free Blogs - I found You Know You Wanna while searching for kitty porn. No, that's not a typo.
I couldnt agree more. Somehow before you have worked fulltime education is just a chore. In many ways I would like to take a break and learn something new now but then again who would pay for my vacations *G*
Comment by tarss — June 30, 2005 @ 3:54 pm
Better late than never, right?
absolutely. i fully understand how school is more significant to you now than at 18. i have been working full-time for 9yrs as well..and i was no where near ready for college even with my softball scholarship ..i knew i wasnt ready to appreciate it at 18 and probably flunk out..so here i am, still no degree but thinking strongly about taking a few courses..
hey did you ever sell your car?
Comment by pathfinder02 — June 30, 2005 @ 3:54 pm
I think you are addicted to vacations :p
Comment by jaxia — June 30, 2005 @ 4:42 pm
You should go for it! Start small, just one class, and build your confidence.
Nope, not yet. I decided to wait until I had gone a semester full time and make sure the full time school thing is for me. I will be really trying to sell it closer to the end of the summer.
Comment by jaxia — June 30, 2005 @ 4:44 pm
I agree 100%. I went back to school a few years ago, and while I still don’t have a degree to show for it, I can definately say I had a much larger appreciation for it than I did back in the day at LSU.
Comment by sichernde_seele — June 30, 2005 @ 5:01 pm
This is true. *Is off again next Tuesday*
This is the last one for the year though… probably.
Look at it this way. These are my chance to learn about new places. So they are really educational trips. :-p
Comment by tarss — June 30, 2005 @ 5:29 pm
ya’know, I wish I had the time and resources to go back to school full time and realize some of my own dreams. However, I’m not that smart(really, my dreams of MIT were lost more than a few skull traumas ago) so I think I’d be content to try for something not so thought intensive, but something that makes me happy.
I appear to be rambling here…
Anyhoo… I’m happy for you, Amy.
Better late than never is very very true.
Chumas, who’d enjoy teaching but doubts there’d be much call for a full contact self defense course in elementary school…
Comment by chumas — June 30, 2005 @ 6:44 pm
*arrives from Ferret’s friending-frenzy*
I know exactly what you mean. I coasted through High School myself, and quit college for, well, really no good reason. A few years ago I went to a trade school for six months, and I found that my drive to learn was SO much stronger than it had been when I was younger. Maybe it takes a few years working in The Real World for some of us to appreciate the opportunity to educate themselves.
I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you don’t mind if I friend you for a bit to see how you do with things.
Comment by baniarla — July 26, 2005 @ 4:56 pm
Thank you for the wishes - things are going great! Why did you decide to go back to school?
I friended you, too. It seems we already have friends in common
Comment by jaxia — July 26, 2005 @ 5:53 pm
Ha! Why so we do.
I went to school as part of job retraining, when I had a failed hand surgery and had to quit my job working for a post production effects company. I had the idea that if I could run my own business (wedding videography), I could work on my own time and schedule, and not stress my hands. But uh . . . then we got pregnant. Doh! And life changed, etc, and now I’m a full-time mom and ocassional free-lance illustrator. The school’s not all wasted though; I use what I learned about lighting and composition all the time in my art now, and the editing on my home baby videos is KILLER.
Comment by baniarla — July 26, 2005 @ 9:26 pm
That last bit almost made me snort Dr Pepper out of my nose
I wish I was better with graphics. I’m working on a few websites, and I just don’t have a knack for that kinda thing. Although, I’m not so bad in MS Paint
Is most of your work digital, or do you paint/draw…?
Comment by jaxia — July 26, 2005 @ 10:27 pm
Everything I do these days is on the computer, and lately I’ve been trying a lot of different things . . . I used to work with pencils, and sometimes inks, but oddly enough it’s only now that I’m learning about traditional painting techniques, and it’s through a computer program called “Corel Painter”! Here’s a link to my journal which has all my art on it.
For what it’s worth, I have tremendous respect for people who can code websites. It makes me pull my hair out, which is why I made my commission website from blog software.
Comment by baniarla — July 28, 2005 @ 11:57 am
You are awesome! That really is amazing stuff.
I have a few wordpress sites myself
It is very easy to work with.
Comment by jaxia — July 28, 2005 @ 1:16 pm