As a mother I am constantly trying to shape my children’s future, providing them with the knowledge they need to make good choices later in life. One thing that I consistently try to hammer into their brains is that they need to further their education after high school. I don’t care if it’s trade school or college, but they have to go to school.
My parents did not do the same for me, and I sincerely wish they’d pushed it on me since not going to college is, and probably forever will be, my biggest regret in life. I chose the work route after school and after struggling for those first few years actually ended up on a pretty good career path in software sales. The problem: I don’t love what I do. In fact, I’m bored to tears and incredibly frustrated, especially in this economy where I fight for every lead with few results. I could try to find a new job, however my lack of a degree is really standing in my way. I live in the San Francisco bay area where everyone seems to have at least a Bachelor’s degree. How am I going to stand out against the rest of those applicants?
I have been toying with the idea of entrepreneurship but the BIG IDEA has not come to me yet so that plan is on hold. In August I will have my official California residency making college tuition at a state college pretty affordable, so I decided to go back to school. Yay me, right? Well that’s what I thought as I spent hours researching local two year colleges. Since I’m a single mom with a full time job, online classes are really my only way to get through school. My boyfriend isn’t home until 8pm most nights and travels frequently, and I’m just not comfortable leaving the kids home alone at night.
After completing my research I called a nearby state community college yesterday and talked to one of the counselors. While they do have some online classes, there isn’t a way for me to complete my degree entirely online. Seems like there are some courses, like biology and, get this, two PE classes (!) that I have to complete for graduation. PE? Are you kidding me? That’s part of what will hold me back from a degree, career choices and my future??? The counselor suggested the University of Phoenix which offers all online courses, but the cost is just too prohibitive for me.
Anyway, I hung up the phone and immediately burst into tears from the letdown of seeing a dream crushed, if only temporarily. I will likely go to college when my kids are a bit older, but it doesn’t change the frustration I feel now, at this time in my life, when I am desperate to make positive changes and grow. Unfortunately I’m sure I’m not the only single mother out there that has put a dream on hold for the sake of her kids. I would love to hear any inspirational stories from other single mothers who’ve managed to parent, work and go to school at the same time and how you made it all work.
In the meantime I’m going to enjoy a large glass of vino and keep working on that BIG IDEA.
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