I’m a returning college student. 2008 marked the beginning of a year of significant change in my life. Due to the recent housing market crash, I was an unemployed real estate agent without a degree or the advanced skills to get a job that would support me and my family. As a single mom, I was used to holding multiple jobs. However, real estate had been my first experience with a career. Suddenly, I felt trapped by circumstances beyond my control. I doubted my own ability to work out a way to a better life.
I wanted to do more for myself and my boys — to find a new career. But I was unsure what that should be. With just a couple of college courses under my belt, could I really go back to earn a degree? I decided the answer was yes and began researching my options. By the end of January that year, I had enrolled in my first classes toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Because I was also working full-time as a waitress, I was only able to take one class at a time. After five long years, I received my diploma — two years after my youngest son graduated from high school. (Yes, I went to my graduation ceremony, and I’m so glad that I did!) At first it felt silly for me (at my age) to walk across the stage with classmates my children’s ages. But nothing can compare to the sense of pride I felt knowing that I had finally reached this milestone. Both of my boys attended my graduation ceremony, along with my grandson, parents, brother, and sister. Words cannot describe how I felt knowing they were all there to cheer me on!
In the end, that degree opened many doors for me. Since graduating, I have enjoyed a career in higher education here at Eastern Florida State College, where I work with students from all educational and vocational backgrounds to help them connect with resources and achieve their goals. One of my favorite groups to work with is students who, like me, began some college courses years ago but had to hit the pause button because life’s other demands got in the way. The toughest part was restarting. I use my own experience to relate to students who are in a similar situation.
For the past several years, I have had the privilege of reaching out to former Titans who started their degrees but stopped just short of the finish line. I meet one-on-one with them to assist them in the re-enrollment process, connect them with financial aid options, and sometimes just check in along the way. I make sure that returning students know they have access to many different support services, such as free tutoring, academic advising, scholarship opportunities, career services, and more.
Did you start your degree a while ago and have to stop? Have you been discouraged lately, thinking that higher education is out of reach for you? Take it from me — it’s never too late to pick up where you left off. Whether it’s been one year, 10 years, or 20 years, EFSC has a program for you. Even though getting back on track may be a slightly more difficult pathway than that of someone starting college for the first time, you don’t have to navigate it alone. We can walk you through it, and you can bet we’ll be there to cheer you on as you make your way closer and closer to the finish line.
Are you ready, returning college students? Take the first step today by making an appointment to explore your options.
- Faces on Campus: Winter Break Edition - December 15, 2021
- It’s Never Too Late - August 25, 2021
- Overcoming Barriers To Degree Completion - April 28, 2021
