ASU to be specific.
My original plan was to go to nursing school (Helene Fuld, much to my paramedic father’s joy), but my high school chemistry grade was keeping me back. I attended a local community college to take care of some extra credits, but I did just as poorly in Chemistry (partly laziness on my part, mostly bad teaching on the professor’s part).
After that, I decided to change majors. I went from Psychology to Sociology and just generally didn’t know what I wanted to do. While all of that mess was going on, I was involved in a pretty bad car accident. I ended up with migraine-like headaches, back problems, and concentration/memory problems. That didn’t help with my major indecision.
After moving around aimlessly, I finally remembered how much I love biology. I took some Bio courses & met a fantastic professor who led me in the right direction. I decided to major in Marine Biology here.
After a year there, I got really discouraged with college, my relationships, and life in general. Thanks, depression. Of course, I didn’t see what was going on then, but looking back, I know that my wonderful depression, coupled with the effects of the car accident were rearing their helpful heads. I decided to move to Phoenix, AZ (I had a friend living out here, so I wasn’t going totally by the seat of my pants). By this point, I received my accident settlement money, so I picked up and moved across the country with my boyfriend.
Once I got here, I started attending ASU as a Conservation Biology major. I did really well, making dean’s list both semesters. I was paying everything out of pocket, as an out-of-state resident. I didn’t qualify for financial aid, since my parents made too much money (even though they stopped paying for my schooling long before this), and I had the double whammy of not qualifying as an AZ resident. So, I ran out of money, and stopped going to ASU.
Ten years later, I’m married (not to the guy I moved to AZ with), have 2 kids, and I’m about to go back to ASU to get my degree in Microbiology.
The good thing about all that time I’ve spent at the education buffet is that all of my non-major electives are fulfilled. I only have to take care of my core classes. I also qualify for financial aid and have a job that is flexible. At 33, I appreciate this opportunity a lot more; I know that if I miss a class, I’m wasting money and potentially missing something important. I understand my emotional/mental health a lot better to know when the lows are coming, and how to deal with them. I’ve also worked in a couple of labs since then, so I know what kinds of jobs I’ll be looking at in the future.
I’m trying to set a good example for my girls. I’m tired of settling for jobs I hate because I’m not qualified to do what I enjoy. I don’t want them to do that either. I keeping looking at myself as being selfish for doing this, but logically I know that this is the best decision for my family in the long run.
This ended up a lot longer than I intended it to be. Sorry about that!
Wish me luck!
