Should I go back to school?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Should I go back to school?
3
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 10:24am
Ok, I'll give you a little background so you'll understand better. I apologize if it's confusing but in advance I thank you for any input/advice!

I graduated high school in 2000. That fall I went 4 hours away to Qunicy University for nursing. I struggled with it the entire time. So after that first year I came back home. Fall of 2001 I tried going to the Sauk valley (a local community college) for liberal arts/medical. It felt too much like high school and again I struggled; after that quarter I didn't go back. By that point I had met my now DH and we moved in with each other. In late December I found out I was due in August 2002. April 2002 through April 2003 I went to Kaplan College for medical assisting. Gradewise I was doing ok but it got to be so expensive (because it was a private school) so I had to quit. Also in that time I became a mother and moved into a house. Jumping forward to January 2004 I went and started classes for radiology tech at Sauk Valley again and I only made it to the middle of February. On and off I worked a part-time job. I've been a SAHM since September.

I sit here now wondering what to do, what to do...? I've tried college several diferent times for medcial something or another and I think I've FINALLY come to the thought that...the medical field is not for me!! I'm considering going back this fall Scott Community College for Sign Language Interputing. I don't know anyone deaf or ever really been around someone like that. But it's something I've always been intereted in. I shadowed an interputer not too long ago and it absolutely amazed me. I sat there in awe just thinking..."wow, I could picture myself doing that!"

My question is, should I do for it? It'd make college number 4, try number 5. This time finicial aid would pay for it and DH is earning enough that I wouldn't have to work. Sign Language Interputing is like nothing I've ever done before. I've already decided if I went back I start completely over, a fresh start. I'm now 22 years old, married, live in a good house, a mom to a great DS. Don't plan on having anymore kids till I'd be done with the Interputer program. I REALLY want to and I'm in a place in my life that I'm finally happy and comfortable. Do I do it though?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2004
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 11:25am
IMO - I wouldn't go back to school until your child is old enough to be in school. I think that baing a SAHM is the priority - colleges and classes will always be around, but your kid will only be little once and why miss out on that? I spent a lot of time finishing my education because I knew once the babies started coming, it would be 18 years until I could go back to school. Once you are a mom, you're a mom above all else.

Also, a note on the sign language interpreter choice - if there is a demand for that career then make it a career choice. Otherwise, you'll spend time educating yourself and then not be able to get a job and have a pointless education. If there's no demand for that career, then choose something else.

Dana

2/04 - Jacob

3/00 - Jarrod

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Wed, 03-31-2004 - 11:43am
School is a pretty good idea. But, before you jump into it, make sure you ask yourself if you are really committed to putting the time into it.

I say this because I started back to school in Sept, to get into the certified occupational therapy program at our local community college. I am older, 37 (aack!) and my kids are older as well, 10 and 7. I've got 3 more semesters ( including the computer class I've got to take this summer) of prerequisites before I can apply to get in. Finding time for school work, my husband, and driving my kids all over, time has been a challenge. Dh is really supportive, he's been helping out a lot these past few months. And he fully understands that when I go back full time ( in another year) that his help, and the kids help around here will be expected, there's no way I can do everything by myself. My girls realize that mom needs to sit down and study, that will be a challenge with a 2 year old.

Don't feel too bad though if you aren't real sure what you want to do. I went through 4 major changes in college, graduated with a BA in Psych 14 years ago, and never used it. It took me this long to finally decide that this was a career I wanted. I struggled in college as well, my gpa was somewhere around a C. This time around, I've got a 3.0, and I think I've got an A in both my bio lecture and lab

If you ever want to email me feel free.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 8:51am
Don't let others or your past experiences discourage you! You can go to school and be a mom! Dana, I think you are being narrow minded to think it is not possible. I am currently working on my masters and it is much more challenging then I thought it would be, but I still make time for my child. I am a great mom and a great student. It is possible.

I do agree that the medical field is not for you. Make sure there is a market in your area for what you want to do. You don't want to get through with school and not be able to get a job. Otherwise, do what interests you.

Tanya