Posted by Jeff Davis on December 4th, 2008
I experienced nothing but a positive reply from my family, friends, and employer once I made the decision to return to school. I believe that this is because I had prepared myself in advance, before school ever started, on dealing with all of the potential issues that might have arisen during any discussions about the topic.
I made sure that I spoke with my family about the impact of my return to school and how things might need to be a little different around the house until I am finished with school. My employer also liked the idea of me returning to school since it would provide me with additional knowledge and skills that could benefit the overall company and make me a more valuable employee. However, I am certain that not everyone’s situation will yield the same results as mine. By nature, people tend to dislike change and by helping your family understand the value of this particular change, you can help them to realize that it is a good decision for everyone. In order to do your best academically, you will need to have the backing of those closest to you. These same people must be willing and able to support your efforts to be a student.
Many careers currently require that an applicant have some type of higher education in order to have a chance at competing for a job in today’s market. So, returning to school to complete my degree was a very rational decision. Today’s workforce is continually growing and in order to be able to compete, you must be able to make yourself stand out. Experience is very important, but I think that by having a college degree, you will help yourself to become a more marketable applicant.
Today, I could not be more satisfied with my decision on returning to school and doing it online. I remain more than satisfied with this life choice that will forever shape my future.
Posted by Sharon Cece on December 3rd, 2008
For many years I had toyed with the idea of returning to school, so most of my friends and family were not surprised to learn that I had finally put my goals into gear and in fact were very excited for me. My husband and children, on the other hand, had a mixed reaction. Naturally, they were very proud that I was finally going back to school to finish my degree. Their initial excitement wore off, however, as soon as it was made clear that everyone would have to “pitch in” with housework and family matters now that Mom/Wife would be spending more time studying and testing. To say this statement brought cheers of delight would be stretching it a bit, yet when push came to shove the family did adapt well to dividing up a portion of the household duties that were displaced by my studies.
One reaction that I did not anticipate came from my kids. They LOVED that mom was now a student, with all of the concerns, moans, groans and cramming that come with student life. They thrilled over my new position as “one of them”, with my nose in a book, brows furrowed over a problem I had trouble solving. One night they helped quiz me for a very tough test–this particular course was like studying a second language (and in fact, we were studying music in other languages!). I was experiencing quite a bit of testing anxiety, and the kids immediately flew into action as taskmasters, right down to imitating my mantra to them, “Now, keep studying and you’ll get it eventually, and no dessert until you finish”! I made it a point to watch what I said to them regarding their own schoolwork from then on, knowing most likely it would be used on me.
Looking back, there was not one person in my life who wasn’t excited and proud that I had made the decision to return to school. I think most of my friends and family expected it to happen, but when it finally became a reality there was a sense of “wow, good for you!” from all.
