college | Wag'n Tales

I took my first final today…well, my first final in a decade or more (let’s not really count, ‘k?).

Wonder why I haven’t been blogging as much? Why I seem preoccupied? Well, part of it is that I’m currently a college student. Full time. Yes, I may have lost my mind.

My advice to this girl, could I go back in time, finish it the first time. But what a ride.

I am a full-time mom, a most-time employee and a full-time student. I just finished my first four credits out of 16 this quarter…with three quarters left to go. When I am complete with my year of study, I will be a certified paralegal…or certifiable, I’m not sure which yet.

In order to be a full-time student and receive a better tuition rate, I had to re-take some of the credits that I had already transferred. (Someone, please explain to me the whole “you need to spend more money to save more money” deal…I still don’t understand.) I could have chosen any class, and I was tempted to cheese out and take algebra or English 101. But I went with Critical Thinking.

Oy vey.

The class itself is helpful, and a great learning tool, and all those things that I expected. Except one…my professor is a vegan. And an animal lover. And about as opposite of me as you could possibly get.

Oy vey.

It’s been one heck of an experience, though. And I’ve definitely stretched my wings a bit. Now I just need to face the final and see where the chips may fall. I’m not too concerned, but I write much better than I test out. Give me an essay any day! 🙂

But I have one class completed. Final in, grades are out…I finished with a 97%. Not too shabby for an OTA student in an online course.

I am 36 years old…and I thought my days of having homework were long over. But I was wrong.

It’s funny, seeing things from a student’s perspective once again. I had toyed with the idea several different times, but it’s now reality. I am taking a few college courses to become a certified paralegal. And I think I may have lost my mind.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a dream come true to be working where I’m at…I love every minute, and never find myself hesitating to get ready for work in the morning. (Some say that I just like playing dress up…and I won’t deny it.) After staying home for a long, long time, it’s nice to have more interaction with people older than, oh, let’s say 9. 😉

I don’t wear my coveralls as often, but they’re never put away too far!

I’ve been dusting off my dress clothes, buying a few things (a size or two smaller…YAY!), and breaking out the shoes that you don’t dare wear on the farm. Yes, I am blessed!

As a mother of a sixth-grader, fourth-grader, first-grader and pre-schooler, I know all about homework. I know what I’ve told my boys time and time again. Don’t procrastinate, double check your work, read what’s assigned, take notes and review.

Perhaps someone needs to start reminding me about all the good advice I’ve been giving.

For example, this weekend was a bit of a whirlwind. Basketball, 4-H, trying to catch up on housework, harvest, etc. Life was just a bit more full of life. Finally, late Sunday afternoon I started wrapping up my assignments for the week. I had started them while in the hospital with George, but I had three papers due. And I hadn’t started them…yet.

Needless to say, it was a long evening, but I hit “submit” at 11:54 p.m. on my last paper. And although I’m hoping I learned my lesson…I know it will probably happen again.

But I will strive to do better, to set a better example and to pick up better habits of my own. But 36 years of old habits are a little hard to break.

And I’m just not sure this old dog is ready for any other new tricks.

This is Day 4 in a series of “30 Days of Thoughts.” You can get caught up here.