Drastic Measures: Going Back to College After 40
The past weeks has been a bit challenging to say the least…
Only a person as understanding and tolerable as my Wife would allow me to resign from my full time job and go back to college full time. The phase states: “behind a great man, is a greater woman”. This is all 100% true in my case. I experienced first hand the satisfaction and sense of accomplishments when my wife graduated from college, taking care of two small children, while attending FIU full time and working part time. Calling that a challenge is an understatement. Nevertheless, she accomplish all of this successfully.
What I did is unheard of, resigning without having any plans for college…
At the beginning of 2014, I explained to my wife, I was exhausted from work. So many changes and so many of my fellow co-workers were let go. I was one of the few that endured the difficult changes and adjustments. Time and time again, I basically had to start all over again from scratch. After careful consideration of my situation, I made up my mind to resign in the new year and would iron out the details of my college situation while already enrolled. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
I encountered a few large hurdles at college this week…
Not to brag, but MDC has some great honest and willing to assist employees with your interest at heart. To make long story short, after resigning, I was not enrolled in any classes at the local college. I had no financial aid in place. No savings for college emergencies, nor books. Not to mentioned, did not even had a major picked out, just had an idea what I wanted to study.
It takes a special person such as my Wife to plan behind the scenes without my knowledge, but always for my benefit. After 20 years of being together, you could say that she knows better than I know myself. She had started a college fund for myself, and had also spoken to a guidance counselor at MDC, of what were my options and best direction. Not to mention, she had a significant saving under my name, again, I was not aware. I am beyond determined to finish my career and find a better paying job. After all the helped I received this week, I am able to say, that I have enrolled in two courses for the current semester and applied to be accepted into the Business college. Now I have a well-defined plan in place for my college journey.
Just as FYI, if you are planing on going back to school, it is never too late…
Learn from my experiences, prior to making any drastic measures, do the research and create a college savings account today. Do not procrastinate. Stick to your plan and stay away from negative comments & negative people. Acquiring a degree is as easy as your determination. I will be completing my degree in the next two years. The phrase states: “God does not provide what you are not able to handle”. This is the time I am supposed to go back to college and finally after over 20 years, complete my life long dream, acquire a four year degree. Call it luck that my children and myself have a great woman taking care of us. We would be lost without her. Any plans for going back to college? Have you ever made a drastic change in your life for the better? If so, I would love to hear about them.