Some of you may remember me, I used to post here frequently, then joined the Richardson for President staff and went on hiatus, then just sort of flaked out. I admit it. I got lazy. I fell out of the habit of writing, and so I just slacked off. Well recently I found a new excuse for NOT blogging. I enrolled as a junior at the University of New Mexico. My major is political science...I know, shocking. I am writing this today to share with you the experiences of "Liberaltruthsayer: The 40 Year Old Junior".
For those of you who are thinking about going back to school there are plenty of good reasons. First, the Bush presidency has left our economy in tatters, and jobs are pretty hard to come by. It is a good time to retrain, expand your sheepskin collection, and your horizons at the same time. Going to school will keep your spirits up and keep you out of trouble.
My academic path has not been straight and narrow. My family didn't have the money for me to go to college when I graduated in the mid 80's, so I went to work. I didn't understand my options with financial aid, and was pretty discouraged. In the mid-90's my former husband finished his degree in education, and I decided to take my turn. The marriage didn't last even one semester of my metriculation, which was fine by me, but I did manage to complete my general courses with honors. I remarried a wonderful guy, and we moved to Missouri, with the goal of me attending the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Three days before registration there was a glitch in my transfer, so I sat out a semester. A few months later I was pregnant with my daughter, Amanda, and life took me in a different direction.
It is now 12 years later. I have four kids, the youngest is 4 and a half. I was orphaned by the election cycle, jobless and needing a place to land, and I decided that it was just time. I applied to UNM, got in, and am now busily studying, and as much as I am learning in my subjects I have learned even more from the experience.
First, I am not the only old person there. No I am not old, but there are a whole lot of people there who could be my own kids. It is nice to walk into a classroom, though, and see another face with laughlines and crowsfeet, squinting at the board.
Second, I have learned that the 18 year olds dig that I know a lot of this stuff already, and are eager to study with me. When I share my campaign experiences in class most of them really like the stories. It is really flattering when they come to me for advice.
Third, college at 40 is a little easier than it is at 20. Being married, being done with having kids, not having the social pressure to date (my husband doesn't like it when I do that anyway) or fighting the "urge to merge" (not that some of these young men aren't nice to look at) makes it a lot easier to focus on academics.
Fourth, there is a reason why 18 year olds go to college...it is very time and labor intensive. I am taking 15 hours, and its a lot of work. It would be easier if I didn't have to worry about the care and feeding of others in some ways. Also, to have the energy and vigor of youth, being able to survive on coffee and pot and doritos and still pull the grades...
All in all, though, being back in school is fantastic. I feel I am finally meeting my lifelong goals, and in another year or so look forward to law school. I want to be a good example to my kids and show them that while it is never too late, its better to go while you are young and can experience the dorm life, the social opportunities, and fun of college (but maybe at the same time seek out a study pal who is a little more mature!) So if you are thinking about going back, do it. You won't regret it, I promise...