Thoughts?

652 Views 23 Replies 13 Participants Last post by canibeyou, Dec 22, 2004

Jason

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2004

I am not sure if I am seeking advice, sympathy, and apathy or just wanting to vent.
So take this post, as you will…
As some of you know I have struggled with school my whole life. I was sent to many different private schools in elementary. Once I reached 6th grade 9middle school) I was sent for evaluation. The diagnosis was Dyslexia. I attended school there but was put in the remedial classes. As a 6th grader carrying around 3rd and 4th grade math and English books I was a tad affected. The making fun stopped as I began hitting those that mocked me. However, the lasting affects stuck with me my whole life. I recall one teacher suggesting I avoid considering college and focus more on trying to graduate HS and get a job. I was taken out of those classes in 11th grade and my senior year received a 3.7 gpa. I went to a small private college and did ok. I quit after 2 years because I hated school. I got married and started my professional career. Well that’s not exactly accurate I struggled with jobs my whole life looking for something I would enjoy yet also paid the bills. I finely ended up working with computers. Ultimately I struggle with testing. So now that I am older and been away from school for 8 years I continue to be haunted by the “what could have been” thoughts and feelings. The question is to go back or not to go back…I am 27 married with a wife and 2 kids under 3. My weakness has always been testing. I am looking into Distance learning from www.liberty.edu they offer entire undergrad degrees online. You can take the tests via a proctor (ie..pastor, librarian or teacher.) I have any of those available. My wife and closets friends seem to be urging me to do this with confidence. I however, am scared …if I try and fail that means I couldn’t do it. If I pass it will be a tremendous achievement for me. Of course it’s also a long-term commitment. It will take me 4 years with the credits I have that will transfer.

Thoughts?

This is not to boost my career I am a Network Security Admin for a bank with 8 years experience in IT so while it may bring more income that is not my motive.

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JEWELZ007

· #2 · Dec 21, 2004

I'd weigh out all the options.. I know your family is #1 to you.. will you be able to handle taking care and being a good Daddy, working fulltime, and going to school for however many hours you need? They're all top responsibilities, and I'd hate to see you just become so overwhelmed by it all then turn it all into failure. Its alot for ANY person to take on. I'd seriously weigh it all out and talk it over with your wife, and get the real scoop on how she feels especially because she plays a major role in your life.

You can be 100% successful with out furthering your education, Jason. You have a beautiful family and you work hard. Those are two values that people desire to have at once.

good luck to you, no matter what you decide to do.

Jason

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 21, 2004

I would only be taking 2 classes a semester and can do it at night once the kids are in bed. thats why i would chose the distance learning.

Destitute

· #4 · Dec 21, 2004

Maybe try taking one class first to evaluate the workload requirement and suitability of the format? You may find that you need someone who can answer questions as you progress through the material. Or, that it takes you an inordinate amount of time due to the amount of printed material to wade through.

:shrug

JEWELZ007

· #5 · Dec 21, 2004

One class.. yes I agree.

Jason

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 21, 2004

Destitute said:
Maybe try taking one class first to evaluate the workload requirement and suitability of the format? You may find that you need someone who can answer questions as you progress through the material. Or, that it takes you an inordinate amount of time due to the amount of printed material to wade through.

:shrug

Yes, I am going to do that. I took one Psychology course Graduate level (so it wont count for this.) last year and got an A-. however there was no test it was 4 papers to write.
My wife was a 4.0 in HS and college she will be very helpful and is VERy encouraging with this.

Debs

· #7 · Dec 21, 2004

I had trouble with the work load in college and I didn't have kids and only had a part time job.

It's a serious commitment. I took my last 2 credits by distance ed, and you REALLY have to be disciplined to do it. Everyone else around you is doing other stuff, watching TV, going out and doing stuff etc, and you are stuck studying. It was very difficult to me. I was the type of person that said "I'll do it tomorrow" and then it was the end of the semester and I had 2 entire textbooks to read, and genetics is one thing you just can't sit down and read over a weekend :laughing

Lou Czar

· #8 · Dec 21, 2004

In hesitation on trying to NOT sound like racer X...Start small.

My only question is "What do you want out of life and will extending your education give you what you seek?"

It sounds as if others are trying to get you to continue your education. Don't let outside pressure make up your mind. Do what your heart/gut tells you!

Jason

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 21, 2004

Lou Czar said:
In hesitation on trying to NOT sound like racer X...Start small.

My only question is "What do you want out of life and will extending your education give you what you seek?"

It sounds as if others are trying to get you to continue your education. Don't let outside pressure make up your mind. Do what your heart/gut tells you!

My gut has been telling me to do this for a VEry long time.

Lou Czar

· #10 · Dec 21, 2004

Jason said:
My gut has been telling me to do this for a VEry long time.

You and I are very similar in our struggles with school. I have never been identified as dyslexic but i do have ADD.

I have thought about it too, but married with 3 kids and I work about 1 hour from where I live.

Do the research and see what type of college will help you the best. Like I need to tell you that:rolleyes

I am sure that you will make a good decision. BUT, do like the others suggest...start with 1 class...

timy

· #11 · Dec 21, 2004

I'm in the same situation...I want to go back to school in Jan but, between bills and my two kids and full time job I just don't see a way of doing it....It's made me very grumpy lately cause I really want to go back to school but, I just don't see howe it's possible....Jason I have dyslexia also and I know it's hard bro....

Milo

· #12 · Dec 21, 2004

Do it if you feel passionate enough to push yourself through the difficult moments. Don't do it unless you feel that motivation.

Do not avoid doing it for fear of failing. You can overcome the difficulty to taking the tests. You can overcome any obstacle that you'll be faced with if you have the drive. There are plenty of reasons not to do it. Don't let fear be one of them.

Debs

· #13 · Dec 21, 2004

That had SO a Ben Kenobi feel to it Milo :thumb

Milo

· #14 · Dec 21, 2004

Debs said:
That had SO a Ben Kenobi feel to it Milo :thumb

I saw that after I read it. I had to slap myself on the forehead and shake the wise old man right out of me.

I came sooo close to saying "You must also learn the ways of the Force."

iDesmo

· #15 · Dec 21, 2004 (Edited)

What Reyndogg said and Homeslice.

Jason

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 22, 2004

Well, not exaclty sure how to respond to all that...I think I have proven myself in the business world enough to get by. I have a profesional career and proivide for my family. I would not be expecting some miricle out of an undergrad education. I see it more as a step to a graduate degree and then onto something better with mylife...something more meaningful

iDesmo

· #17 · Dec 22, 2004 (Edited)

What Reyndogg said and Homeslice.

Crazykell

· #18 · Dec 22, 2004

iDesmo I think you are crazy :nutz :coocoo

College is what you make it. It doesn't necessarily teach you to think but it can teach you broad analytical skills that aren't going to be picked up in the real world. Not only that but it takes hard work and dedication to make it through.

iDesmo

· #19 · Dec 22, 2004

Crazykell said:
iDesmo I think you are crazy :nutz :coocoo

We've had this debate a thousands times on CF. Do a search on my name and read the threads on education if you have the time.

I have a degree, a couple of them and yes in my field it is imperative to have a degree. But what you do not realize is ...almost everything you touch in day-2-day life was created through a person without any college or formal education ...and that includes your light bulb.

In 1854, Reverend G. B. Engle belittled one of his students, seven-year-old Thomas Alva Edison, as "addled." This out-raged the youngster, and he stormed out of the Port Huron, Michigan school, the first formal school he had ever attended. His mother, Nancy Edison, brought him back the next day to discuss the situation with Reverend Engle, but she became angry at his rigid ways. Everything was forced on the kids. She withdrew her son from the school where he had been for only three months and resolved to educate him at home. Al though he seems to have briefly attended two more schools, nearly all his childhood learning took place at home.

Thus arose the legend that Thomas Alva Edison (born February 11, 1847) became America's most prolific inventor-1,093 patents for such wonders as the microphone, telephone receiver, stock ticker, phonograph, movies, office copiers, and incandescent electric light-despite his lack of schooling.

Homeslice

· #20 · Dec 22, 2004

Have you defined what it is that you see yourself accomplishing with it. Have you taken this future "you" and looked for others who do "this", and sought their advice about how they got there.

Getting a degree because it fills an unmet accomplishment is one thing.....but having a plan for what to do with it is another. Yes, the education itself will benefit you. You will acquire better critical reasoning and analytical skills, which will help you in every part of life. But think how much better it would be if you had started with a firm plan on how it will meet your goals, and a firm understanding of whether those goals include something you would actually enjoy doing instead of simply reading about. For as everybody knows, it's one thing to enjoy studying a subject, but a totally different thing to work in that field.

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