Changing my Life Essay Roberta Clark Strayer University CHANGING MY LIFE There are many reasons why I decided to return to school. Wanting a better education, money and most of all my sense of accomplishment are the reasons I am now in school. I decided to return to college after leaving school nearly 40 years ago. It has been a long road of getting here and have had many roadblocks in my way. I got married at the age of 17 and became a mother at the age of 18.
My husband was very old fashioned and thought no one should attend school while they were pregnant. This reason caused me to drop out of high school only six weeks into my senior year of high school. I was not concerned with school at all. I was happy being a mom to my little boy. Nearly two years later I finally decided to get my GED.
I passed the test so easily and again no further thoughts of school or an education. I was married and thought I would be a housewife forever. If that were true I wouldn’t need to further my education.Or at least that was my thinking. After watching my children grow up and go to school I felt something was missing.
I couldn’t help my children with their homework because it was too advanced for me. This made me decide that I needed a better education. Years later I was very fortunate to find a job with a great company. A formal education wasn’t required and I have done just fine. I work with many educated people and those made me stop and take a long look at myself. I take phone calls all day long and want something more.
I suddenly realized that to have a position with more responsibilities I need to have a better education. The tuition reimbursement was initially the reason I decided to return to school. I thought this was a good way to make some extra money. If I could get student loans and have my company reimburse me that would be great. Once I decided to go to school I got excited learning new things.
Going to school on the internet was fascinating to me. I looked forward to learning something new every day. Internet learning was good, but I felt I was teaching myself.That’s when I decided to actually go to school.
English 090 is my first time being in a classroom. Each time I attend class it motivates me to do better and learn more. I have learned so much so far and I cannot wait to see what else there is to learn. Now that I’m going to school I have a determination to complete my education and get my degree. I thought returning to school was all about the money and a better education but I have found the real reason.
It is the sense of accomplishment I have found.
