Motivation to Return to School

Motivation to Return to School

I decided at that moment that I would return to school and graduate with my bachelor?s degree. I made a promise to myself that I would finish my education. If I complete my education, I would make my parents proud of me. Plus, I want to be the first person on either side of my family to attend graduate school. Adults return to college primarily because they desire a higher paying career or a professional job. This could be a registered nurse, an elementary school teacher, a policeman or an attorney. It could also be an accountant, a journalist, a librarian, an interior decorator or a beautician (Smith, 2001).

After being on the road for three years, I decided to check into returning to college at the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania. Both universities informed me that I would have to retake my first two years that I had completed at Chattanooga State. I would have to commit for another four to six years of college. I did not have the time to do this. I wanted to be finished with my bachelor?s degree within two years if possible. So, later, when they realize that their choices are limited, their futures sealed or semi-gelled, they decide that school is where they need to be (Smith, 2001).

I had made arrangements for an apartment before I had moved, so all I had to do was wait for the moving van to bring my furniture in. I went looking for a job and found a position with the Veterans Affairs. While I was unpacking and settling in, I filled out and submitted my paper work for UTC.

After a few weeks, I received a response from UTC stating that I was accepted and could start fall semester. I was so excited about finishing my education. My major was Healthcare Administration. Older women -- those in their mid-20s and older -- returning to college make up better than half of the evening enrollments in area colleges. Nontraditional students are usually in their mid-20s to mid-40s, enrolling part time vs. full time. They generally attend evening classes and have jobs and family obligations to balance with their studies (Richards, 1999).

During the meeting with my advisor, I was advised that I would take an extra ten to fifteen classes before I could graduate. I was looking at the catalog at the course I could take and the advisor told me to take my freshman classes first before getting into major classes. I went ahead and signed up for history, composition, and psychology. I could only maintain a fulltime status but I could not. I ended up with only nine hours. At this time, I was beginning to become depressed because I knew that I would not be able to finish college in two to three years.

''More women are returning to college,'' Richards said. ''They have career opportunities that didn't exist 20 years ago when they graduated from high school and they didn't then consider going to college. If someone delays higher education, it's usually a woman that does it.'' Most of the incoming nontraditional students have a clear idea of where they want to go and what they want to focus on (Richards, 1999).

Fall semester ended and I had maintained a B average. I went ahead and signed up for spring semester, which included history II, math, and one class in my major. After attending college for a couple of weeks, I decided to drop my math class and class in my major. I was becoming very unhappy with UTC. I looked ahead to see what I could take for summer session and there was only one class I could take. How could I finish with a class schedule like this?

Difference of Classroom Setting ? past vs. present

An individual man or woman who decided that they wouldn?t let their decisions, circumstances, fear or situation stops them from obtaining their dreams. This is something to be proud of and to encourage. Throughout life people are faced with a variety of hurdles. How they choose to overcome these hurdles determines whether they become successful or not, it would be nice if there was an instruction manual to tell one how to be successful, how to overcome these hurdles. One of the most difficult hurdles facing people today is college. Often times people go into college with their eyes closed tightly, meaning they are totally unprepared for what lye?s ahead. There are many hardships to be faced. However, please remember that nothing worth having is easy to obtain (Smith, 2001).

College courses require more effort and studying than high school. Many students are unable to change their studying habits, which could lead to failure. Many classes require several hours per day of studying. Being the student, I have to try and stay ahead of the selected readings and or homework, but also find enough time to do all of this and put in a forty hour work week.

Different classes require different methods of studying. Mathematics and science require working problems and examples. History involves context reading as well as memorizing several dates or events. English requires writing essays and elaborate reading. These are just four examples of the various skills it takes to become successful. Being successful as a student and a full time employee takes a lot of determination on the part of the student (Meeks, 2000). I have to make time for every aspect of life which includes problem solving at work and school. As I continue with college, I must determine exactly how much time I will need to spend on studying and what methods to go about doing this.

I found the transition from UTC one. The UTC community was so young and for the most part they were residential students. They knew each other and had a life together, and that made it harder for me. That first semester at UTC, every kid was 18, and I felt very lost. I was older and I felt like a fish out of water. That was hard, gritting your teeth to face your journey every day. .When I was attending night classes at UTC; I was always being lectured on drinking and the consequences that this will lead too. In my heart, I did not feel comfortable attending night classes at UTC. I knew that since I was working during the day I had to attend night classes but I often wondered if the day classes had to be lectured too.

Today, college is for everyone. Nearly half of all American college students (or 46%) are 25 years of age or older. Further, the U.S. Department of Education estimates that 90 million individuals participate in some form of adult education each year, including training and basic education offered outside traditional higher education. To serve this immense market, most colleges have structured programs and services specifically for adult learners (Adams, 2001).

I was not happy with the curriculum that my advisor gave me. I could not understand why I need to take