I Haven't Studied In How Long?

As I begin my second and final semester, I'm reminded of my first day of school back in September of 2010.  Going back to school after so many years was scary, exciting, nerve wrecking, and wonderful all at the same time.  Compared to the first time I went to school, advances in technology, made life as a student so much easier in many ways but it was up to me to figure out how much had changed.  The best parts included instant online registration and websites like Sakai that help provide students with a one stop shop for keeping communication lines open with classmates and professors.  The confusing parts included walking around a campus that was familiar but foreign at the same time.  So much had changed but a lot was still the same. 

Through mature eyes and a more intense focus, I found myself drinking up the collegiate atmosphere since I had been starved of adult interaction for so long.  I could name every character and sing every song from "Yo Gabba Gabba" but I longed for intellectual conversation, and classroom debate.  My first day of school I was afraid that I wouldn’t blend in, and narcissistically I didn’t want to be the “old” student in class.  Much to my delight, when students found out I had kids and were in awe, it definitely boosted my ego.  I even had a classmate ask me sheepishly if I was a teen mom.  Bless her soul, she definitely made my semester!

I had to retrain my brain and get into school mode.  Although the classes were rewarding, finding time to read became a challenge.  My daughter was having issues going to sleep at a decent hour and since I was still nursing her, it became quite a challenge.  I spent many nights studying until 3am only to wake up 3-4 hours later and start all over again.  While it was happening, I kept thinking, "what did I get myself into?" but I was determined to press on.  After all of my hard work, I ended the semester with the best grades I ever got... 3 A's and a B+.

Now that I'm invested and I'm at the homestretch, my new challenge is keeping up with the classes I'm taking now.  They are all Senior level classes with the expectations to go with it.  I'm working on setting up my plan of action in order to balance all of the reading I have to do.  At the very least I have 80 pages of material a week to read, and I'm already thinking of my final class projects, 3 of which include research papers of 20 pages each.  It's going to be a challenging semester.

In addition to my school work, I'm working with my 3 year old on improving his motor skills which are lagging.  He's having trouble holding a pencil correctly and although he recognizes and can spell his name, he can't quite write it.  He also is a bit behind in expressing himself vocally.  I see his frustration, he knows what he wants to say but can't get the words out so I'm on the hunt for a speech therapist in Bergen County.  Busy, busy busy.  I've got my work cut out for me.  Right now I can only see ahead one week at a time.  Until my next post, I remain, The Phoenix Mom... rising from the ashes.