in need of some encouragement

[threeangels]

Anyone out there with some education emcouragement would be so greatly appreciated.

My issue is that I have been dwelling for the past year on what I'd like to go to school for. I've been bouncing back and forth on what career path to take and it's starting to bug me. I really think I want to go for Business Administration. Something I never though I'd be able to do. I've decided that online learning is my only option at this time which is fine because it works better with my family responsibilities.

The only thing that is keeping me back is all the math and english you are required to take. I barely passed with a D in high school. I did horrible in school. Smart but just didnt put my mind to it I guess. Never got to the algebra thing so have no clue how to do it. I feel that I am a bright person for this career feild if I could just have more self confidence. I'm just scared I wont be able to handle these classes. Has anyone out there with a degree ever looked at all the classe in beginnning and thought they didnt think they could do it but passed anyway. I really want to go for it but just cant seem to make that first step. My dh said that I can accomplish anything if I work hard for it no matter how I did in high school (which was 15 yrs ago). If anyones been through this I'd love to hear about it. There seems to be so many professional people here.

[Claireandrich]

Go for it! You are much wiser now and more likely to apply yourself anyway. It sounds like you only struggles at high school 'cos you didn't 'put your mind to it' and this is not likely this time round.

I know it isn't quite the same but thought it might help - my MIL is in her mid 50s and didn't have a qualification to her name. A couple of years ago she enrolled on an computer course and has now got a series of Vocational qualifications. Not a degree I nkow, but it does show you that you can achieve things if you want to. My mum also went to college in her late 30. She left grammer school during her A levels to get married and ave a family. She is very bright - got ten top grade O-levels but never got to use them. She put her mind to it and passed some exams and now works full time for the local council doing business admin.

Good luck!

[threeangels]

Thanks Claireandrich. I appreciate your support.

[mollipops]

Good for you! What made you decide this is the career for you though, if you thought you'd never be able to do it? Have you considered what things you enjoy doing, that you could turn into a career? One woman I know was in the same dilemma and thought about what she liked to do before she had children - she was a keen netballer, and really enjoyed sport and exercise. She ended up becoming a netball coach! And a friend who goes to the gym three times a week is going to become an aerobics instructor, as she can work it around school times now her youngest is in school AND get paid to workout! These are both sporty examples I'm afraid, but you get the idea! I'm sure you are very bright, but if english and math were not your "thing" and you don't really love figures and admin work...well sorry but why study to do it? Please don't be discouraged - especially if you are excited about it and already enrolled (!) but it might be food for thought. Do you like music, swimming, helping people, art...?

As a ps I have just enrolled for a part time Bachelor of Social science course at uni - external or online for now - and it really is exciting. I'm majoring in psych and minoring in women's studies...I really feel I have found my passion, which should make it easier to pass everything, I hope! You are so lucky to have your dh's support as mine has been a little negative about the whole thing (mainly the financial aspect).

Let me know if you want to talk about it some more and HTH!

[Marina]

Threeangels, I work in higher education (as a librarian, not a lecturer/teacher I'm afraid). I suspect the situation is a bit different in the US but here a number of universities offer "access" courses to help returners to education like you. These courses are not necessarily full-time - and there is usually good support for people with family commitments. I previously worked in such a university and it was so good to see some of these students (who fell well short of a D High School Grad in many cases!) develop their confidence in learning. Many of them went on to graduate in demanding subjects such as law and business admin.
Maybe the community colleges in the US offer similar "back to learning" opportunities?
In any case, can I just make one small suggestion? If you are feeling unsure about how you will cope with your course, if you possibly can you should avoid online learning, and try and spend a little time a week in a classroom with other people in a similar position. I know it is hard when you have small children but I think you may feel less lonely than if you rely purely on distance or online learning. Good luck!

[sml2]

threeangels - have you looked at the uk's Open University? (www.open.ac.uk) They have introductory courses for people in the situation you described. The courses are more expensive if you're not resident in the UK, but you might be interested anyway. The OU specialises in distance learning, and many of its students have had similar school experiences to yours, but they go on to complete degree-level courses successfully.

[threeangels]

Mollipops - Thanks so much for the advice. You have really given me something to think about. To be honest all Ive ever done is child care work which so many people I have come across thought it was like working at the bottom. Ive always wanted to end up with a job in life that I had a little senority. A career where I'm in charge of making some desicions. Maybe a manager type job. I have always had a passion to help people though. I love to see others happy. I would rather give to others then myself. I thought of medical assisting but then I thought I'd like to be a little more of an incharge person at the job. I couldnt really think of anything else instead of that other then a RN or something on that line. That's a wonderful job in society but just not for me. I do like an office business atmosphere though. My dh and I were on line last night and we came up with being a Human Resource Manager. Just something I'm thinking on. I realize my math and english were not good in school I just was thinking that maybe I'll be able to comprehend it better since I'm a lot older and eager to accomplish something.

Can you tell me exactly what you will be doing after you graduate. Thanks for all the help. If you have any more advice Id love to here it.

Marina - Thank you also for your help. I have debated a little on whether to do schooling at home or in class. My dh just graduated with a degree for network administation. He almost had a 4.00 GPA. He did quite well (surprising us both). He's now enrolling to get his bachelors online. I thought at home we could help each other with the work and the support. He thought it would be good too. Not totally sure if it will end up working out but thought I would try. I beleive I can always attend the classes in the school down the road if I thought it wasnt working out at home. I probally would if my dh wasnt so supportive and willing to help. The whole thing to me is scary. Anymore advice would be greatly appreciated.

[threeangels]

Hi sml2,

I will take a look at the site. Definately something worth exploring. I just dont want to make a wrong move. My dh has already told me several times that if you start you have to finish or we'll be stuck with a big bill for nothing. He knows Ive been known to quit at things before.

[mollipops]

Lol, my dh said the very same thing! And if you drop out late or fail a unit here, you still have to pay full fees for it. Is it expensive there? Here we have what's called HECS, which is where you can defer paying fees until you are earning over a certain amt, then you start paying it back to the government at a rate of 3-5% of your annual salary (they take it out of your pay). It depends what course you are doing but mine is level 1 and is about A$3700 a year (that's about 1350 pounds or US$2200) The highest one, which is dentistry, medicine, law, vet science etc, is A$6000 a year! When I graduate I hope to get government work, maybe in a women's issues area, or in a women's refuge or counselling service.

The HR idea sounds great, esp if you love helping people and also like an office environment plus some autonomy. Do you think you prefer dealing with people in small groups, or one to one? HR would be mainly one to one I would think...robinw works/worked in this field I think, maybe she can shed some light on it. Hope you come to some decision soon...I like the idea of the introductory course, to sort of ease you back into "study mode" before you do the actual degree/diploma.

Oh and never think that childcare work isn't valuable - to make a difference in the life of a child is both a huge responsibility and honour.

PS Marina - you've got me worried now, both my units this semester are external!!! I just can't get to lectures as ds is at kindy only half days all this year (and I'm working pt - tho I will be quitting in July).

[threeangels]

Hi Mollipops - I did decide last night that I want to do the HRM degree. I would rather do the one on one thing. I'm not to good with large groups. My main thing though is to be able to help people in anyway I can.

As far as the fees per semester here I'm not sure yet. I still need to get in contact to find that out. I will qualify for government loans and maybe some grants and after I graduate I'll have 6 mo to find employment before I have to start paying it all back. It's pretty scary because my dh and I are both gonna be paying back bachelor loans at the same time. Hes going on to get his bachelor the same time I start school (both online). I'm trying to put in my mind that if I dont't try schooling because I'm afraid I'll fail then I'll never know how I'll do. I guess many people think like me before going and do just fine if they really put effort in it. I sure hope it all works out. Thanks for all the advice.

[mollipops]

Good on you - all the very best with it. I felt much the same way - didn't want to reach 50 or 60 and be thinking, "I wonder what would have happened if I had..." Only one way to find out for sure!