Today is a big day for me, friends.
I'm going back to school.
A brief history of my college life...
I went straight to college after high school. After two years of college, I chose to get married and move to Germany with Jeremy. Then, Jonathan was born, and we moved to Savannah. In Savannah, I returned to college full time and nearly finished my degree in Middle School Education. Then Jude and two back-to-back deployments (simultaneously) happened followed immediately by flight school...so here we are.
I have 118 credits to my name and NO degree.
Ha! Not for long.
I finally decided that life was never going to lay a seamless path before me and make getting a degree easy for me. There really is no perfect time. Thanks to some motivation from Jeremy, I found the best school for me with the online program that I needed and I enrolled.
I feel like it is a great fit. I decided on Southern New Hampshire University. And here's the kicker...my degree is Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing (!!).
It was so exhilarating to officially sign up for this program. Like a part of me was breathing a sigh of relief..."finally".
I have always wanted to be a writer, but I had always chosen more "practical" career paths, like teaching, but now it is clear that there is no better career for me. I have the freedom to write from home, wherever we live. I can still be there for my boys while also dedicating myself to my work. I'm kicking myself for not doing this sooner. There's a lesson in here, kids.
This is my first time attempting college online. I'm nervous, but I'm glad that I made this choice now. I would gladly accept any suggestions or advice that you can offer. I have always been successful in school. I prided myself on my grades and commitment. I'm not trying to toot my own horn or anything, but teachers love me. Call me a teacher's pet if you want, but it worked for me. I'm afraid that I'm going to lose that interaction online. But what I lack in interaction, I plan to make up for in good-old-fashioned hard work.
Needless to say, I'm nervous.
And excited.
And determined as all hell.
I'm so ready to finish my education.
I'm so ready to start my professional writing career.
Wish me luck!
16 Comments
Congrats! I'm so very excited for you. I'm a little addicted to school myself and honestly, the only advice I can give you re: online courses is to MAKE SURE you don't fall behind. It's so easy to push things aside when you're making your own schedule and don't have to face anyone in person. Set aside some time each day (if possible) to get just a little bit done and you'll feel a lot more productive than letting everything weigh on you for an entire week and then sitting down on a Saturday to accomplish everything on your list (for example).
ReplyDeleteGood luck!! I should've just gotten my degree in creative writing... though I got it in history, and I typically write historical fiction, so it works out.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck! I'm so happy you'll be doing creative writing! It is really easy to fall into a habit of doing the bare minimum with online classes because you literally don't have to face anyone when it comes to your work! The thing that works for me is to make sure I'm somehow ahead of schedule. That always keeps me motivated to do my best and to actually do all the work :) It really is quite an adjustment switching from the classroom to online. I'm sure you'll figure something out that works for you though!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! Good luck! I know you will rock! xxx
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!! :) You will do absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a perfect degree for you- it's actually the one I considered applying into as well, but it basically meant leaving University three years later without any career prospects so I chose Business instead. I don't LOVE my classes, but I'm making the best of my degree and learning a lot in the process. I think that once I'm done this degree in two more years, I'll feel more comfortable pursuing writing as a second possibility, knowing I can get a job in something else that I'm good at- if that makes any sense.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, best of luck back at school and if you ever need anything I'm here! <3
Go while you are motivated and wishing you nothing but the best. Maybe you will even share some of your writing assignments on the blog? New to your spot and glad to have found your creative space on the web:)
ReplyDeleteChandra
astylishlittlelady.com
That's very exciting! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYay! What a perfect area of study for you! The good thing is that you'll be able to finish this even with moving. You should definitely try to do a little work each day. I've seen Joey have to spend a whole weekend doing school work because he waited and waited.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be great!
Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That is so great. And I love that you picked a degree you WANTED, and not a degree you feel like you SHOULD have. I've never taken an online class, so I don't have any suggestions, but I'm sure as long as you stay focused it will be fine!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, that is so exciting! And you are so right to get the degree that you WANT. If I could do it over, I would get my degree in literature instead of early childhood education, which I chose because it was practical, then ended up teaching literature anyway!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteWhat subject in middle school were you originally going for? I'm certified in English and Social Studies. My dream job is a middle school social studies job.
You should be SO proud of yourself for accomplishing this :)
Kristin
So happy and proud of you! I've never done online school but Lance has and he says the "secret" is to start working on assignment as soon as they're posted/published, otherwise you'll fool yourself by thinking "oh, I have a whole week" and then the week goes by and you 2 or 3 assignment due.
ReplyDeleteYay! Good for you! Best of Luck Jessica!!!!!
ReplyDeleteComments are my favorite...