Back to school and ready to write



My blog is now about going back to school, so let's jump right in.  What is it like to return to school when one is old enough to be a grandmother?

First, it is scary.  I lost my job two years ago and my unemployment has run out.  That means the money has to come from somewhere.  Going back to school means making the financial commitment to pay the rent, food, insurance, whatever, and of course school and tuition expenses.  There are many times when I ask myself,  "How can I do this?"  The answer is I don't know.  At times it seems like I am pulling money out of thin air.  But I have no choice.  I have to do this.  I am trained as a librarian, but despite being a darn good one don't want to return to the field.  Library-ville doesn't challenge me.  I have spent 10 years teaching composition.  I loved that job but am burned out from correcting papers.  I need a new job and a new direction; let's see where learning about the body takes me.

Returning to school re-defines you.  I love college and love learning, so I have been in school on and off for various degrees over the years.  You would think I would have defined myself a long time ago.  Not so.  I find I am, as I study something I was always afraid to study, more than I ever thought I was.  Science (and now mathematics in summer school) is allowing me to see myself in ways that astound me.  I am walking with more assurance, standing taller and looking people in the eye more because something I was always afraid to study is before me and I am tackling it.

I will conclude shortly.  I have an exam tomorrow morning and I am not prepared for it.  I am taking a remedial math class which is an incredible amount of work for me.  I have not had this stuff since high school and to keep up means about 5-6 hours of work every night.  I am slow in math and the course condenses an entire semester into a month.  I have learned a great deal, but it is very difficult for me to do math.  I am off to bed, and so I say good night.