Personal Narrative: One Mom's Journey To Educational Decision

806 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Personal aspects of returning to school

Back to School? One Mom's Journey to an Educational Decision

I turned 42 this year. While my age may imply I may have the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything, I sure don’t feel as if I know everything.

Not even close.

In fact, when I think 42, that movie, you know the one, about Jackie Robinson comes to mind. Forgive me, I have baseball on the brain. That’s part of the problem. I’m a Mom, even worse, a baseball Mom. My son, who is still in high school, plays and while you might be thinking that shouldn’t take up that much of my time, well, I hate to be rude, but you would be wrong. He plays almost year round, and I attend every game I can get to. I take my turn hosting team dinners, and participating in fundraisers. …show more content…

Hey, I didn’t do that the first time I went to college.

So, as always, when I’m pondering one of life’s questions, I turn to the internet for research. I stumbled upon these answers to a poll given to online students from Arizona State University. It’s not a surprise to me, but with the convenience of online education and an abundance of outstanding choices, more moms are willing, and even more so, have a desire, to head back to school.

Furthermore, parents who head back to school say their top three motivating factors are potential career advancements, taking care of their family, and achieving new levels of personal growth. However, trust me, I’m not ignoring the fact that going back to school now would include a specific set of challenges. I’m sure you know what I’m referring to, the juggling act of attending classes, managing homework, potentially navigating a full time job complete with kids and household responsibilities.

So, if you are seriously considering heading back to school, invest some time into considering the following incredibly valid

Show More
Related

  • Going Back to College as a Single Mom

    1058 Words  | 3 Pages

    Going back to college after you have been out of school for quite a few years, had three children, been married, and divorced is a lot harder than I ever imagined. It takes hard work, dedication, and missing out on the little things previously taken for granted. I miss taking naps the most. I believe if you can tough it out through the worst days, you can finish school and provide a better life for your children and yourself. You need a lot of willpower and a large sense of humor.

    Read More

  • Re-entry Student

    2730 Words  | 6 Pages

    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).

    Read More

  • Civil Rights in Sports

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    42 is an example of the heavy burdens that minority athletes had to overcome and how they slowly started to emerge at the professional level. The film is based upon Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball athlete to play Major League Baseball. It depicts the racial biases in the realm of sports, the unbearable hardships Jackie endured, and the overall character of the old ballparks. Brian Helgeland, director, wanted the film to depict the terrible racism that Jackie faced and how he overcame many obstacles in order to achieve his dream. Helgeland’s intent to represent this resulted in him exaggerating a few scenes in order to better highlight Jackie’s tough journey to greatness. However, these scenarios helped aid the popular view of the civil rights era by better emphasizing the obstacles that minority athletes had to overcome. In the film for example, after Jackie Robinson moved up to the big leagues, some of his partners wrote a petition to the board of directors explaining their discontent of the current situation. Almost every single player signed the petition against the African American athlete. This event actually happened during Jackie’s first year with the Brooklyn Dodgers, however only a few white players signed the petition. Others like Pee Wee Reese refused to sign it, “It didn’t matter to me whether he was black or green, he had a right to be there too.” The exaggeration of the opposition within his team portrayed the struggles that Jackie Robinson had to deal with because of his race. The refusal of some players to sign shows how not all caucasian males opposed the idea of integration and how they began to accept minority athletes into white cultured sports. Jackie’s rookie year posed plenty of tro...

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Going Back To College

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    Three years ago my life drastically changed when my husband of 19 years decided he wanted a divorce. I had always been a wife and a mother and only worked part time through the majority of my marriage. Having married at 19, I never thought too much about going to college. I always thought I wanted to be a stay at home mom and never thought too much about what my life would be like once the children grew into adulthood. Now, at 41 years old, I realize how horrible a decision I made by not getting my college education sooner. Trying to go back to school while working full-time and raising two kids on my own is not fun. It’s a struggle to find that right balance of being a good student but also being a good mom. I want to make my kids proud

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Journey To Higher Education

    99 Words  | 1 Pages

    My journey to higher education spans 24-years and combines two passions, teaching and EMS (emergency medical services). This journey began in 1986 with a suburban kindergarten class of 25 in Memphis, TN. Eleven years later no longer am I teaching school-age children; instead, I am delivering training programs to EMS providers as well as the medical community. Today, I combine both passions to offer students authentic experiences through which to obtain proficient skills in written and oral communications, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, as well as in negotiation and conflict resolution skills as they prepare for rewarding

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Interview With A Parent

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    At first, I had a hard time trying to find an older person to interview, because I did not want to interview my family since I’ve lived with them my whole life. While I was getting ready to interview my friend’s parent, I started reading the questions to myself, and I realized that I do not know the answer to them if I ask my parents. I chose to interview my mother because I have never sat down with her and have a serious deep conversation with her. I realized that I am closer to her than my father, but I’m not as close as I thought I was with her, and it broke my heart when I finally realized that. At the age she is, I finally realized that I have been taking advantage of her and I refused to live this way with her. This interview was emotional for both of us, and it also brought us closer to each other. I am so grateful and happy I did this interview with her.

    Read More

  • The Benefits Of College Education

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    Enhancing commerciality to acquire a better job position, teaching your children of the importance of education through example, and an increasing in personal satisfaction and enrichment are all outcomes of going back to school. An environmental fear of campus life is a real thing for adult learners. In 2013 there were 8.2 million adult students compared to the 12.2 million students under the age of 25. The rates of increase for adult students are expected to increase higher than students less than 25 years of age according to the national center for educational statistics. The demand for MBAs and the attendance of professional schools is increasing. A master’s degree is almost mandatory in order to obtain a 6-figure career. The support of family members helps whenever the overwhelming feeling of loneliness begins to creep in. My son telling me he’s proud of me nearly brought me to tears and so I encourage everyone thinking about going back to school to dive

    Read More

  • My Models of Transition in Nursing

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    I am conscious that returning to school, will accompany stress and anxiety. However I am also aware that my decision may encourage others to overcome the fear of returning to school. I can help my peers or leaving behind the “old way of thinking and behaving” (Bais and Hayes, 2011, p.5). The strategies that help me in this transition as describe Spencer and Adam were to find a mentor who can provide support when needed and accept help from family members when in doubt or overwhelmed.

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: How My Mom Changed My Life

    424 Words  | 1 Pages

    Ever since I was a little girl I always wanted my life to be like the ones in movies, but sadly it was not. Having one parent wasn't easy, but my dad did his best to be a great father. My parents separated when I was 7 years old and that was when my childhood changed. Growing up with no mother was difficult, in fact, I felt left out when I would be around my friends because they had both of their parents and did family things together and I didn't. It was very depressing for me because I felt like I was different from everyone else. I also felt like I couldn't do anything or go far with my future goals because I didn't get much support like others did. I never found it easy, but I’m glad I had a father that stood by my side through thick and

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Path To College

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    One moment you’re entering high school and in the blink of an eye it’s senior year. The thought of college is becoming more and more prevalent in your mind as each day passes. You’re forced to make so many decisions about your future, even though you still feel like a kid. The idea of the future can feel so daunting, so unmanageable. There are so many different paths to take, whether it’s the most common one, or an entirely different one. The hard decisions lay outside your comfort zone and require drive and knowledge to choose. You can choose to take the clear-cut path or venture out on your own. I know that my path is college. In college there are so many opportunities for me to take my own path and become my own person, without letting the politics of high school get in my way. High school was a rough time for me, as it can have too much focus on the social aspect of things, rather than staying

    Read More

  • Reflective Essay: My Return To College

    1606 Words  | 4 Pages

    Being an adult returning to school is not an easy task. Sure I have cruised through my classes thus far, however it has never been simple. I work my butt off every day, putting in

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Life As A Single Mom

    1512 Words  | 4 Pages

    I first became a mother on a very hot day in North Carolina on August 2008, to a 9 lb. 7 oz. girl. We moved to Texas when she was 7 months old and have lived here ever since; except the 6 months we lived in Canada during the winter. It was a great experience living there but it made me very grateful for Texas winters.

    Read More

  • The Six Dimensions of Wellness

    794 Words  | 2 Pages

    I hope to be able to instill these values in my son as he grows up to make his own choices. In choosing to return to school after eleven years I hope to improve my own: intellectual wellness by challenging my mind, my emotional wellness by bettering myself, and interpersonal wellness by improving my relationships with the people closest to me. The support from my family and friends has been invaluable in my returning to school. I feel that by making these positive changes I am setting a good example for my son.

    Read More

  • A Mother Essay: My Journey As A Mother

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Becoming a mother has been the best part of my life. I became a mother at a very young age. I had no idea what to expect and was not in the least prepared for the journey that lie ahead. I have truly embraced motherhood and enjoy all the wonderful things it has taught me. While living through motherhood, I have found that it can teach you the most valuable lessons there are to learn. Being a mother has taught me how to have patience. I have also learned that being a mother takes a lot on mental and physical strength. My children have been the best to teach me how to juggle many tasks at once. They have made me strong. Even through some unexpected turns, I have learned how to get through hard times and really learn what it means to never give up. My children are my biggest blessing, and I hope they will learn valuable lessons through me. The skills I have learned from being a mother have helped me in my college journey.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Living At Home And Living Away From Home

    731 Words  | 2 Pages

    Usually, students go away to the college or university of their dream to further their education and to learn to live on their own. However, many pupils are realizing that they don’t have to go far, or let alone leave their bedroom to get their education. Students are staying at home as they get their education instead of going to another state. Education has converted to being a lot more moldable, and students can go back and forth from home to school or even do online classes. The positivity factors include not having to pay for living quarters and the tuition of staying at home is way less then leaving. Even with all of these differences students are still faced with decision of staying home or

    Read More

More about Personal Narrative: One Mom's Journey To Educational Decision

Open Document