1 year

People often ask me why I took so long to get back in school.   I want to give them the auto responses.  “It’s too expensive” or “I didn’t have the time.”  If I’m being honest with myself, I will say I wasn’t motivated.  I didn’t see the need to go back or the desire.  However, a year ago a started my journey to get back into school and continue.  Finishing college, the first time in 2004, I felt like my problems were solved and that I could just move on and grow up.  However, that wasn’t the case.  I felt trapped.  I had a degree that I know I didn’t rightfully earn.  I wasn’t great at math but somehow, I had a finance degree.  I had a job that paid the bills and then some.  That was short-lived.  I needed an out.  I needed to go ANYWHERE else!  So, I left and found a job at a local Ross.  One day from that job I left for lunch.  I went to Ross just to see what random thing I could find, and I left with a job.  I never went back to the other one, I didn’t even call.  I just disappeared.  I know now that was in bad taste.  I was 22 years old.  I didn’t really care.  I was free! 

With my grades and my GPA, I was surprised that some of my credits transferred when I started my journey again.  I was a C student and I didn’t care.  The degree plan for me then was chosen by someone else and It was the worst time of my life.  Now, going back at this age, I figured I wouldn’t have the patience or the desire.  Much to my surprise its completely the opposite!  I find myself more focused and holding myself accountable.

SO, I never claimed it on any of my jobs because I would fear that I would be called to do the work and I honestly had no idea what I was doing.  I can’t even tell you where that paper is at.  One thing that reminds me of it is the debt from that degree.  I was down to $10,000!  I was almost done paying off that debt and now, here I am, racking it back up!  This time with a degree that I will be proud to have hanging for the world to see.  One that I have passion for.

I don’t regret not going back sooner.  I strongly believe that we all experience things when we’re supposed to.  We all get an urge to make a change when we’re ready.  I knew that I wanted to stay in my field or closely related to it and I wanted to make a little more so I could be more comfortable.  So why not?  Nothing was holding me back.  I had the time and the means.  So here I am.  Even though It’s only been a hear, I’m more than halfway done due to all those credits that transferred. 

I’ll leave you with this.  It’s never too late!   So, take that class!  Take that trip!  Take that job!  Take that chance!  I’m at a point in my life that I started showing up for myself.  I was busy trying to “Find myself” and all the while I didn’t realize I was right in front of myself this whole time.