Neither my parents nor my siblings had graduated from college. I distinctly remember their excitement about my being accepted into ASU at the end of high school. It was going to be my chance to be the only one from my immediate family to attend college. But as I mentioned in a previous post, lack of motivation and focus derailed my first attempt, and becoming a caregiver to my mom paused my second attempt. I couldn’t help but hope the third time might finally bring something different.
Having moved back to San Angelo in 2019, I decided to return to Angelo State in 2022 after having taken a long hiatus following my mother’s passing. I was a stay-at-home mom while my son was in elementary school. And although I was filling my time during the day with volunteering at this school or in the community, getting my college degree had been important to me after high school, and I was again feeling that it was something that I wanted to accomplish for myself and my family. I re-enrolled for the fall semester as a part-time student. Despite the nerves and anxiety about returning to college in my mid-40s, the moment I stepped on campus, I knew the timing was right. I wanted to set a precedent for my son that no matter the stage in one’s life, pursuing higher education is attainable.
Expectedly, it has been an adjustment for our family. I have had to learn to work around family and academic responsibilities—balancing schedules, meeting deadlines at home and for my classes, and managing the financial strain of paying for college. Thankfully, because my son is in elementary school, I can navigate enrolling in courses that take place in the morning or online, ensuring that I am available to pick him up from school in the afternoons. Because I can work on assignments and projects during the day, my evenings are then free to dedicate to my family and other responsibilities. So far the dynamic has worked well for our family, but hugely due to the unwavering support from my husband and son. Don’t take me wrong. Some days are more challenging than others. When I finally cross that stage and take my diploma in hand, it will represent one of my most treasured accomplishments.