Anyone going to school?

My youngest is entering first grade this year so he will be in school all day so I decided to go back to college. Yikes! I am nervous! I am majoring in Elementary Ed. I am taking 9 credits-3 classes. I couldn't afford more! The cost of this is going to kill me. I better do well. I am scared to death! Anyone else going to school? Have any pointers? Thanks! Nic

You will do fine! I went back to school when I was 37. I was scared too, but found I had an unfair advantage over the younger students because of life experience. The hardest part was carrying the books! You can do it--Go Girl! Joy

Hey Nic, I'm right there with you...my daughter started preK this year and somehow, I decided to go back myself. I'm taking 11 hours (a restriction placed on me due to mistakes of my past). all my classes will be online (except for weight lifting...the only phys ed class available in the time slot I had) As far as the cost goes, I applied for financial aid and am receiving a Stafford loan Also, my dad said he'd help out. I'm majoring in early childhood education and then will proceed on to a masters in Speech and Language Pathology. You're going to do great!!! Whitney

Ditto for you, Whitney -- it's so hard for me to get used to seeing you as a blonde but you are a knockout! Are you feeling as great as you look? Reenie

Hey Reenie, Thanks...I was always a blonde until I was pregnant with my daughter. I didn't color my hair while I was pregnant (I never do) and then got it cut off short. Well, they cut off all the blonde and my hair was darker than it ever had been. Everyone just raved about it, so I let it stay that way (so much easier than worrying about maintainence) anyway over the last couple of years lets just say that the stresses of life took toll on my hair and there were strands that just stood out more than the others (especially against that really dark hair) and I couldn't take it any more so I went to the hairdresser and gave her free reign and that's what she came up with. Funny thing was all I heard for the last several years from my hubbie was how he missed the blonde and when was I going to change it back...I get it done and he's like "I was getting to where I really liked you as a brunette" Well, gee thanks for telling me!!! I'm feeling pretty good....had hernia repair 5 weeks ago and still have some tenderness from that....but it was an extremely large hernia and I'm not surprised that it hasn't totally healed yet. You're not looking too shabby yourself....you do need to get your posting pic updated to your new one on your profile. Cause you don't look like that lady any more!!! Whitney

I did apply for financial aid. I am pretty sure I will only be able to get a loan so that is what I will do. As soon as I hear from them. I hope soon cause I put my tuition on my credit card and I really don't feel good about that! I am taking US History(this is the class that I am worried about) a psych class that is child development and educ 101. I am going to the community college but will probably transfer to the university next semester or in the Fall because if I go full time, the university will actually be cheaper (figure that one out). I don't have a minor or other area of interest picked out. I am considering special ed. What classes are you taking? Nic

I am taking Intro to Psychology, American government, Educational Planning, Core concepts in Health, and weight lifting. I'm going to a Junior college this year (they had more online classes available than the University) and as soon as my daughter is in school full time, I'll transfer to the University of Central Oklahoma (it's has one of the best Colleges of Education in the country). When did you get your financial aid papers filled out? I just received my award letter last week...I only qualified for a loan myself, but it's a Stafford Loan which is guaranteed by the government and they'll pay the interest while I'm in school and the rates are really low. As far as the history class goes, you'll do fine. It's just a lot of reading and remembering dates. I'm like you, the first time around, I goofed off and flunked out...not necessary considering I graduated 35th in a class of nearly 400. I just didn't have my head on straight at the time. I honestly think that the weight loss has given me the confidence to do this....2 years ago, I don't think I would have taken it on. I've always regretted not getting a college degree, so this is totally something I'm doing for myself. Keep in touch!! Whitney

I applied for financial aid a couple weeks ago but then they sent the info for the loan counseling that I had to do online and I did that last week and mailed it I think last Monday so it has been almost 2 weeks. Hopefully I will hear something soon. Are you working with an advisor at your college to make sure that all of the classes will transfer? Do you have to take the praxis exams? I need to take praxis 1 before I transfer to University. I am going to try to do that this winter break. Get it out of the way.

The JUCO I'm going to partners with the University I'll transfer with so they always check to be sure that the credits will transfer before you enroll. They have UCO advisor's that come to the JUCO and there are also UCO classes that are held on the JUCO campus. As far as praxis exams go, I haven't heard of them, so I'm not sure if I'll have to take them or not. I guess that's something for me to bring up at Spring enrollment. I've also given my husband something to think on and I believe that he is going to start college in the spring...I don't know how it'll be with both parents going to college at the same time and I'll have a son in college before I ever graduate with my bach. degree and he'll probably be graduating college before I finish my masters.

Nic, this is terrific! Go ahead and feel your fear, acknowledge it, own it, so that you can then scream in its face to get out of your way! You will do so well, the most frightening moment for you will probably be walking through those doors on your 1st day...about 5 minutes later, you will have said hello to many new people in your life, all of whom will be feeling the same jitters you're feeling! Once you get past that hurdle, you will sail on, girl....these are the kinds of life stories and affirmative changes that really spin my wheels and provide the inspiration I need to keep going. We are behind you 110%!!!! Be sure to tell us how things went for you on your first day. And go out and buy a "lst day of school" outfit like we did when we were kids, even if a great pair of new jeans and a top. You go girl! Reenie