The Decision Of Complete School

I recently found a list of goals that I had written 20 years ago. Most of the goals were realistic and I was able to achieve them. While I was checking the items off my list that I accomplished, there was one that I have debated about for many years—returning to school to earn a degree. Returning to school has always been achievable; however, as each year of my life sped by and I got older, I always came up with more and more excuses as to why I should not return to school. One day I received a course catalog in the mail showing online classes at the college. I decide that an online class would be the first step to my future. I am so grateful for the first day of that class. All the excuses and delays regarding returning to school

I decided in 2008 I wanted to go back to school because of a traumatic EMS call that made me realize I could not rely on being a paramedic for the rest of my life. I set out to graduate in four years. December of 2012 was when I wanted to graduate. And I was on the right track. However, along with my life changes this goal had to be altered. With a failed marriage and losing weight I looked into joining the Air Force. I also started talking with a Department of Public Safety recruiter. I wanted out of EMS so back I was willing to settle for less than my dream of becoming a Game Warden. I was accepted to both departments. After talking to by DPS recruiter I decided this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. So in 2012 instead of graduating college I joined the Air Force. In joining the Air Force it did delay my graduation; however I am better qualified for my future. When I began my college career the military was not an option. The information was always there but the ability to join was not mainly due to me being too large. Although I am four years late in graduating from my original goal, I would not change a thing about the choices I have

All throughout my life until my memory can reach, I had always been told I had to go to college, and for a long time, I agreed, not knowing truly why. Well the time had come, I was a junior in high school and ready to start my senior year, and the big question came up, are you going to college? I had not put too much thought into it, mostly because I was in a special circumstance than what other people were in. I could not go to college at that moment because no school or institution would have accepted me, just because I was not a citizen. So, my options for going to college were none. I had always been told I needed to go to college, and when it came down to it, I could not even go.

I wanted and knew I had to give college one more shot, for the only way I could ever become a fighter pilot in the Navy was after graduating college. All Naval Officers are college graduates, so I had to try once again. But this time I “felt” I had to go north, into New York State. For me it was more than a feeling, almost like knowledge of what needed to be done. Once I told my parents about my plans they were upset once again, like when I had told them that I wanted to go in the Navy the year before. In their eyes, my idea was ridiculous. Their question was, “Why do you need to go so far for college, when New Jersey had some fine schools to begin with?” And since I was going to be attending public school again, it really mattered if I went to one in New Jersey, or one in New York State. “It would be more beneficial if I stayed in the state” they said, for then I would have more financial help, as where if I went to the SUNY (State University of New York) school system I would have to pay out-of-state tuition. But I wouldn’t listen; something inside of me was telling me that I had to go to New

I am the first college student in my family, first generation I guess you could call it. In fact, I am the first of my family to "get out" as they put it. Most of my family live within 10 miles of each other and few have been more than a 3-hour drive away from their home. I don't believe much was expected of me growing up. I didn't graduate with honors, and I would have been hard pressed to have found a single adviser who would have saw me going to a wonderful school like Texas A&M. I grew up assuming that like my father and his father before him that I would serve in the military. I did serve for a while in the army, 8 years to be exact and that’s where I found myself. As an army medic you are expected to processes many inputs at once, and

First, I made my decision. I constantly had dreams of being in a classroom. Since I was little, I always wanted to be in school. I was one of those kids that never wanted to miss a day of school, even if I was sick, I wanted to go. After graduating high school, I took some a few years off to save money, then I started to look up for colleges to apply. I emailed Blackhawk Technical College, and everything happened within a few days of that email. When I went to Blackhawk Technical College, everyone was friendly, nice, and happy to help with any questions I had. As a result, I signed up to come to Blackhawk Technical College, and start on my

When I was young I had not any educational goals. My father had not graduated from high school and I don’t remember him (or my mother) ever mentioning me going to college. And, as mentioned previously he spent my $3,000 life’s savings which would have put me through the University of Arizona. I was ambivalent about going to college when I graduated from high school, but I signed up in large part to stay out of the military and Vietnam. I had an interest in aviation and in making things so I signed up for Aerospace engineering. At that point I was working 20-25 hours a week to be able to afford the next semester’s tuition, gas for the Hillman, and occasional nights out which didn’t help my studies.

Remember when you use to imagine yourself growing up to be an astronaut, a teacher, or a doctor - but we never quite thought about the how to get there? As a child, the idea of 'college' and a 'degree' are the very last things on our mind, especially when it comes to such fascinating career choices. In fact, you weren't aware that a degree was needed up until you were choosing courses for high school. To be honest, I strongly believe if the benefits of college were pushed sooner, I would have been more compelled to attend after my GED versus waiting as long as I have now. However, this is not a time to reflect on my late choices, but rather the choices I commit to make now, and the choices you should consider before things get challenging.

I have wanted to go into the military since i was very young. Most children say that they want to be a firefighter or a doctor, but i said that i wanted to be in the military. I remeber looking at pictures and learning about military officers and i felt called to be one of those men. My decision and dreams never changed, as most childrens do when they realize the work required. But for reasons beyond my comprehension, my desire of a miltary life never wavered. Both of my parents' fathers served in the military, one n the Air Force and one in the Army. They told me stories of their days in the military, bragging of their different branhes and I took what they said and choose a school that woud lead to a career in neither of their branches.

I am the first person in my family to attend college; both of my parents passed away before I graduated from high school, I had to stop attending college in 1991 because of financial reasons. I made a promise to myself that one day I would return to college and finish my degree. I have been employed at the same job for over 23 years, during this time I have been passed over for raises and promotion time after time because of my lack of a college degree. In 2014, I decided to return to college and finish what started in 1988. Financially, it has been very difficult with my salary to pay for tuition and maintain financial responsibility for my household. I have a daughter who is also a college; I have taken all kinds of odd jobs to subsidize my meager income.

Hi Lauren. Thank you for the response. I did think it was too late to come back to school. I am so glad I didn’t listen to that little voice deep down inside that said I would regret this. I’m happy you chose the same! We are really doing what’s not only best for our futures but our children’s, as well. I wish you all the best of luck!

I felt my children were my first priority. I stop attending school not understand that I was hurting myself and my family in the long run. I felt I could make it without attending school. I did make it! Not to mention, but it was extremely hard. There were so many times I want to go back to school, but my situation wouldn't allow me. One night, I said a pray,' Lord if you help me get a good paying job I promise I will go back and get me a degree." That prayer that night changed my life. I got hired at one of the largest hospitals the next day. I worked for that company for 12yrs then I moved on to bigger and better things. I've been with this company for 12yrs now. One day my job made me extremely mad. That morning I went an registry for school.That was 2yrs ago and that was the best thing that I could have done for me.I enjoy learning and meeting new people. Today, I wish I had did it a long time ago. I believe it's never too late to

Just like any young teenager nearing high school graduation, I faced multiple life changing decisions and now after 26 years of military service, I still believe that I made the right decision. At the time of graduation, I did not envision college in my future. I was not fond of school and was looking to gain experience in life when it happened; I met a U.S. Army recruiter who communicated too me, you could do just that in the Army. I was not a stellar performer in school, but neither had I failed any classes, I merely wanted something different.

I put off wanting to peruse what I was interested in for many different reasons at that point in time. I had a new baby that was my joy and going back to school while working just seemed to take away from her and I didn’t want that. I decided I would just wait because I had plenty of time, I was twenty-two and I had my whole life ahead of me. The time went by so quickly and before I knew it, I had four children that I adore and my oldest started talking to me about not wanting to go to college. She told me that I had done ok without going to college and that I

A few years ago I decided to go back to school. I came to this decision because of multiple factors such as my GI Bill was running out soon and it would be more cost effective to get a degree while I still had the benefits and I was about to take a new path in life and I wanted to be prepared. It took me five semesters to complete my associate’s degree and that was only because I needed to take some remedial math classes since it had been ten years since I was in school and it appeared I hadn’t retained most of the algebra I learned in high school. Nonetheless, I persevered and I didn’t let the remedial classes get me down. I embraced them since I knew I needed them. Some semesters I took four classes and some semesters I took six. Neither were a problem and my grades were flourishing. My GPA was at an all-time personal high. I was not only motivated, but I was at an institution that met my learning needs. Obtaining my degree felt great and that certificate makes me