It’s Never Too Late!
Written by Terri Gillian, Administrative Professional student
I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was a Saturday night and I had just finished a 13-hour work day and a 53-hour work week. I was tired and I felt like I hadn’t seen my kids in days. I was juggling two jobs while supporting two kids on my own and I was exhausted in every way imaginable.
It was time for a change.
I knew what I needed to do; it was something that I had talked about and planned on doing “when I had the time.” It was time for me to go back to school.
Here I was, 30 years old, trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I wasn’t even sure where to start. I had so many questions.
How will I be able to afford school?
How will I find time to do schoolwork while working enough hours to pay the bills?
More importantly, how will I have time for all this AND make sure I still have time to spend with my kids? After all, they are the real reason I need to do this.
The following Monday, I went into Moraine Park and explained my situation and that I needed a change. I didn’t even know what program I wanted to sign up for. Luckily for me, the kind woman that I spoke with answered all my questions and assured me that I had come to the right place.
After doing some research, I decided to go into the Administrative Professional program. It seemed to be the best fit for me; there is a high demand for anything in the administrative field and the starting pay seemed to actually be something I could live off of.
In less than a month’s time, I was enrolled in the program and ready to start the spring semester. In just three short months, I was going to be in college. I couldn’t believe it. I had so many emotions running through me; I was excited, scared, nervous, curious, and even doubtful. Would I really be able to do this? What if I failed? What if I’m not smart enough?
That was over a year and a half ago. I am now half-way finished towards earning my degree. I have been on the Dean’s list every semester. I even managed to land an amazing Administrative job while I am finishing up my last few semesters.
Getting myself back into school was the best decision I have ever made; for myself and for my boys. Not only am I bettering myself for my future, my children see daily that nothing is impossible. I am showing them that you can do anything you set your mind to. They see how hard I work and they know what I am working for.
I couldn’t be happier with the way my life has gone since I decided to go back to school. I wish I would have made the choice earlier in life but I didn’t and there’s nothing I can do to change that. The point is that I did it. It may have taken me longer than some, but I still did it. No matter how old you are or what your situation may be, it’s never too late to make a change.
