I am 22 years old (will be 23 this fall) and I am in college. I am trying to complete my degree in edu...but my life is a little complicated. I had my daughter at 18, so of course things are harder because of that, but it seems as though the closer I come to graduation, the harder it gets. I have AWESOME grades, a 3.78 GPA, so paying for school is not even an issue. I LOVE school, but I am just starting to feel as though I am not going to be able to make it.
I was lead down the wrong path and took like almost 26 hhours that I did not need, thanks to some people at my school that are SUPPOSED TO HELP, but anyways, how can I stay motivated when everything is not falling into place?
2006-07-28 02:48:55 · 16 answers · asked by cookies_n_cream0218 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I go full time fall and spring but take the summers off.
2006-07-28 02:58:30 · update #1
I work as a real estate assistant, so the summer is the best time for me to make my money.
2006-07-28 02:59:05 · update #2
You have to focus on the future and your daughter. I speak from personal experience. I had my daughter only 2 months after my 19th birthday. I had already completed 2 semesters of college. I took only one semester off and went back for weekend college -- my best semester 4.0:-)
After that my daughter's father and I moved from NYC to upstate NY, where I went back to school. Some of my credits from the other school did not transfer to the new school, so I too had extra classes for nothing:-( But I kept going.... I graduated with a 3.8 GPA and high honors for my Sociology major....
There were many times I did not think I was going to make it... although my daughters father and I were, and are, together, he was in Medical school, which meant that I was basically a single mother... we also do not come from money so we had to live off of credit cards and school loans... I also worked almost full time, 30 hrs a week, while attending school and taking care of a house and family.... It was hard, but definitly worth it...
After I graduated from undergrad, I worked for a year before attending Law School.... my daughter's father finiished Med school and started his residency....
I am happy to say that we are almost done:-) One more year to go!!!! We both graduate in June 2007:-) Our daughther is now almost 7 yrs old.... She is the reason I held on.... Through all of the hardships and struggle, i knew that I wanted her to have a better life then I did growing up and that is whay I worked so hard... I also did it for myself; I wanted to prove wrong the people who think that teenage mothers are lazy and apathetic....
It seems that you are also going to prove those people wrong:-) My advice is to look into your daughthers eyes and think of what a great life you will be able to give her once you are done with your education.... You are obviously a very intelligent and dilligent woman.... I know that you will stick through and make it....
If you ever need any advice, please feel free to e-mail me at gogo72580@yahoo.com....
good luck:-)
2006-07-28 03:03:41 · answer #1 · answered by mooter 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm 50, had no undergraduate degrees at all, applied on a dare and a whim for a Master's programme in English Lit on the strength of my life experience and to my shock and horror, they accept me! Worse, I'm doing two years in one, my thesis year starts Feb 2007. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how I feel, and I'm happily deep in debt for the privilege. But what I have learned is (a) most of what I'm required to learn is pretty useless in the 'real world' and (b) a Master's degree is more useful than what you have to do to get it, and (c) I should have done this when I was 22! I've struggled all my life without a degree, and this will open doors for me that have always been slammed in my face. You ARE going to make it, if your grades are that good. Just bite things off one at a time, don't think too much about what you have to do tomorrow. It'll get here soon enough. This is the mantra I've been using, and it helps me: You Can Do Anything... When There's No Other Choice. The motivation? Not having to scrape by on crap jobs until you hit 50, menopause, divorce and a catastrophic career loss because you weren't smart enough to reach for the prize when you were young. 26 wasted hours? Pshaw, honey, you've got off lightly! That's a minor bump in the road, so don't look back, just keep your focus on the future - it's all you got anyway, isn't it?
2006-07-28 03:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by mouse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 day at a time, 1 class at a time.
the best motivator?
if you take those classes it will be what, one to 2 years before you finish; you will be 2 years older?
And if you DON'T finish, how old will you be in 2 years?
Same age, but you won't have the degree.
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i think you should complain IN WRITING to the head of the counseling dept. or whatever group led you to take 26 hours of classes you didn't need.
You can talk to the head of your department to see if any of those 26 hours can be used in lieu of other classes you still need to take. Also, you can ask to see if there are any classes you can get credit for by just taking the final. Different schools do this different ways. Some schools will give you the credit hours; other schools will just waive the requirements to take some of the basic courses, but you will still need to get the required hours. It is worth checking on.
2006-07-28 02:59:21 · answer #3 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife is almost 36 and she is about as far away as you are. She had a similar thing happen, but it was 12 cr or so. She has 3 teenage kids we are raising together. It may seem like a long way off, but how many classes is it really? How many have you already done including the ones you don't need for your degree (but still give you knowledge)? You are actually really close. Just take it a few cr at a time, you have done so much already!
2006-07-28 02:54:27 · answer #4 · answered by Robb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your time. I did the 5-year plan. If you're grades are that great, just keep doing what you're doing. Things always get complicated and I'm pretty sure people who advise students are trained to scam us out of time and money because I graduated with 20 extra credits...grrr. That's like $4000!! Sounds like you're doing well enough though. Don't rush it...it always gets more difficult when you're gettin to the end. Good luck! You'll do fine
2006-07-28 07:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by stowchick01 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, now that you are on the right path, enjoy your time. Remember that it is unlikely that you'll be able to enjoy that lack of responsibility at any other point in your life. Talk to people who are working and see what they complain about and compare it to your stress level. At least you know that you get a break from the grind at the end of the semester!
Also being broke, sharing clothes and mooching off your parents is only fun when you're in college! Enjoy it!
2006-07-28 02:53:50 · answer #6 · answered by xamayca.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We learn how to balance ourselves not by standing on steady ground, but, rather, when the ground is shaky. What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Your life could be worse. You could be a frightened tired kid having to fight for your life in a war right now, or someone miserable in jail, or someone in horrible cancer pain, or starving. Or, even worse. Your daughter could be suffering. Many people's little girls are suffering right now. Is yours? Count your blessings. And, don't you know how fortunate you are to be able to go to school? Get off the computer and get off your butt. Get focused on your studies and assignments. You have all the motivation you need, girl. You have a precious daughter to live up to. You can do it, hon. Good luck.
2006-07-28 03:09:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, congratulations on the GPA. That's quite impressive. Secondly, life does not fall into place. You'll have days when you feel like you're going nowhere but, if at the end of the day (and this is a day ending anytime :-D) you feel more ahead of the game than you did the day before, you're accomplishing your goal. It sounds like you're sticking to your game plan and that's great but when you're feeling down, look at your daughter and realize that you're teaching her how to make the best of any situation and how to reach for your goals and feel good about yourself. Good luck.
2006-07-28 02:55:58 · answer #8 · answered by Lex 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep at it. I think everyone feels the same way at some point during college. You will be so proud of yourself when you graduate. Are you going full time? Part time is hard and it takes a lot of time. I did it part time and finished eventually. By the time I completed my degree I felt great.
2006-07-28 02:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont worry its normal to feel like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i did and every semester i felt the extreme pressure you just have to focus and continue remember to take it day by day, do a bit of study then if you can arrange childcare go to the gym de stress or do yoga at home. its just about sitting down when you have the time when your child is in school or nursery. if you cant focus sometimes take a break and go back to it in the evening. at times i felt unmotivated at times i felt i couldnt do it but i completed this year better than the last. so keep on at it you are not alone in feeling like this you will be a success i feel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-28 02:59:43 · answer #10 · answered by de-light1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋