So as I've said in my profile, I'm a student again. At the age of 33, I'm back and having to start totally over with it.
I was a graphic designer at one point. I lost my job after a year and a half in 09'. My senior designer, myself and out trade show manager were laid off. It was a mess! That's when I decided to pack a moving truck and move across country. From one coast to the other. Took me 7 days to cross 9 states alone. Yackin to my plants and singing to my iPod along the way. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I had no job, barely a place to live, I knew no one and had left everything I've ever known behind me. In about a weeks time i was hired at a publishing company as their new graphic designer. I worked there about a year and a half. Last July I was laid off from that company along with 7 other people.
In August of last year (11') i wound up in the ICU with DKA, a diabetic complication (a story for another time). The experience was terrible and the doctor who was in charge of me while i was there was to be blunt...a total bitch! But the diabetes educator was fabulous!! After a conversation with my sister, i realized i'd always wanted to be a diabetes educator! More for children and their families than for adults. When i was diagnosed at 11, there was a lot that they didn't tell me due to my age, but things i should have been told! Like if i didn't take care of my blood sugars very well i could end up blind, or lose a limb. Harsh truth, but the truth.
I had already decided i wanted to go back to school, but at the time i wasn't sure of my major. But again, after that conversation, i knew what i wanted to do. I looked into the requirements. I'd have to get a bachelors in Nutrition first. And pass the boards.
I applied to UNCG in October and waited for their decision. I wasn't what they would call a 'typical' student. I was an older student compared to their regular applicants, I didn't have mommy and daddy paying my way, and they put me through the ringer! I had a lot of forms to fill out, an interview with one of their admissions counselors, more forms, and more discussions on what my plan was. They finally decided to let me in. I was ecstatic!!! I cried! I was terrified that they wouldn't let me in and things would continue to go downhill and ultimately would wind up going home. Another conversation with my sister who got me to agree to come home in May if i didn't get into school (something she didn't think would happen), and if things weren't working out on the job front.
My first semester back was interesting. I'd never gone to an actual University before. I had gone to a community college back home and things were very different this time. Some of my classes had over 200 people in them and professors rarely knew your name. Some of my classmates got on my very last nerve! Stupid questions because they didn't pay attention. Texty-McTextersons, always on their phones. And bitching about how their parents wouldn't let them drive the Mercedes. Really? Oh please!
I made the decision to attend summer session so that i could afford to go home. However, that didn't work out and i wasted a much needed break. The classes were daily 4 days a week, and the history of North Carolina class was a MAJOR challenge!! An undergrad class with an instructor who taught it like it was a graduate class. Class-wise, we were all very annoyed. I emailed the history department head at one point and told him how it was. He was less than pleased and told her to cut out her shit which didn't go over well for her and she made it known that she was pissed. She actually called out a classmate and blamed him for emailing the department head!!
At the end of the summer session, i had a mere 3 weeks off until Fall semester started. Knowing fall would be hell on earth, i really needed a break! A bigger break than 21 days. That didn't happen. And i wasn't ready for fall. My fall consisted of Algebra (which i wound up dropping. The instructor was a German woman who i could barely understand and instead of showing us how she got the answer, she would just give us the answer), Chemistry lecture and a lab, Statistics and a Nutrition class. Chemistry is where I'm really struggling. I'm terrified that I'll lose my financial aid for Spring semester if i fail the class. Since i dropped algebra, I'm still locked into needing to pass 9 of the 13 credits.
Here's another great part...my unemployment will end at the end of December due to the government. Seems i'm on tier 4 which will end at the end of December for everyone unless the gov decides to extend it. I'm crossing my fingers!! SO...if i lose my financial aid, and can't attend spring semester, i will have NO income whatsoever! So to say that I'm stressed is a bit of an understatement. Though I did get a bit of better news today. I figured out on my own that even if i get a D in my chemistry class (which would mean i'd have to repeat it...i need to do that anyway due to ALL the chemistry i need in the future, so i need a good base or it'll be a major struggle all the way) I'll still pass the needed credits. So that is a bit of a small relief.
So there ya have it. My fall semester in a nutshell. A nutshell of crap on a cracker, but a nutshell nonetheless. Trying to stay positive and knowing that i have some great support from Brooks and my friends that I'll get through this and continue to seek out my big goal. Love and support is something that is priceless!!
No comments:
Post a Comment