So today I accepted two jobs. Yup. Two. Two part time jobs, each between 20-30 hours a week. I'm not sure how I'll work it, but we'll see. The lack of medical benefits sucks, but I guess I'll just go buy my own. I imagine that'll cost me a pretty penny. Either that or I just hang on and see if I can get low cost insurance through the college.
You read that right. If all pans out with Financial aide...Zoso is going back to school.
Damn...
I graduated college five years ago. I have three degrees, but I find them not doing me much good--mostly because they're only AAS degrees. Everyone wants a Bachelors or higher now. It used to not be that way. They don't care what it's in. Seriously, I know a lot of you who read my blog are a decade (or more) younger than me--I have some words of advice for you:
Go to school and study what you love. If you don't, you'll regret it. Trust me. I do. If I knew then (and I know you've heard this) what I know now, I would've had a degree in art, English, linguistics, or something of that sort. Employers don't really care what degree you have, just so long as it's of the 'higher level'.
If you love English, get a degree in English. If you love Biology, the field is wide open. Go for it. If you love computers, man, you've got it made. College might seem like a pain in the ass, and it can be, but so long as your studying stuff that interests you, it'll be fun.
I love natural science, I don't totally regret my degrees. I learned a lot from them and gleaned skills from the jobs I applied them to. But it's not enough to prepare you for the unexpected. In my case, getting laid off after seven years at one business. Now I find myself stuck in a working world that praises Bachelors degrees and not much else. I wish I'd gotten one five years ago.
So back to school I go, full of new worries and uncertainties. How will I pay for it? Will I qualify for financial aide? How will I work around school? Can I pay my bills? How much time will I have for my kid? Is this a good idea? Am I doing the right thing?
Sometimes you just have to stop making excuses and take the plunge. Stop being scared of making mistakes and just DO IT. If you fail, you've learned something. Pick yourself up and try again. I seemed to have forgotten these lessons while working at my old job (the life sucking pit that it was).
Today was probably the busiest day of my layoff. I've been on the phone with my two potential employers (pretty much a given), talking to them about what I intend to do. One is a little leery of my endeavors, wondering how I will pull it off, but if it doesn't work for her, I'll find someone else it will work for. The other is more flexible, probably because I know them personally. *shrug* I spent the late morning and early afternoon at the college, then came home to talk to a counselor from the university here in town. Now I'm waiting to get my FAFSA all squared away.
I'm done moping around. Time to kick some ass.
Posted by Zoso at March 21, 2006 04:27 PMIf I can be of any help let me know. I suck at math and I don't really like science, but, I'm good at proofreading. And I've got some tricks up my sleeves for cheap books and online resources!
For all the bitching I do about school in the end it makes me feel pretty good. I feel like I am accomplishing something and getting somewhere.
Getting a good grade and finishing another semester makes up for days like today where I feel overwhelmed and uninspired.
I think you'll enjoy it and do well!
Posted by: Sarah at March 22, 2006 12:09 PMAlright! I knew SOMETHIN' would come along eventually. Heh heh, now if I could just get MYself straightened out here...
Posted by: J00kst3r at March 22, 2006 11:09 PMYeah, college does suck, but I am glad that I am going. So after 5 more years of hell, I'll hopefully have job security. I'll be rooting for you on your journey back to college! My stepdad is currently in college due to the lack of finding any jobs and because he wants to do something that he likes to do. If my stepdad can go back to college, you most certainly can! It won't be easy to juggle work and college, but you'll be able to do it.
On the financial aid note. I don't know whether or not you will recieve financial aid. It all depends on your income and what college you go to. Like my college, will not give any financial aid without a FAFSA turned in by March, shit I forgot the date. But they all have different rules.
There are also scholarship web sites that you can check out.
scholarships.com
fastweb.com
Those are the only two that I can think of. I'm sure that there are more out there, you just have to look. Tip: if it costs money to apply, don't do it, it isn't worth it.
*wince* good luck with the FAFSA. Those forms can be a bitch to fill out. Especially if you haven't done your taxes yet. If you have any quesitons about the forms, I might be able to help you. I've only had to fill out that bad boy like twice, but I might be able to help. Well, good luck Zoso, we'll be routing for you! ^_^
Posted by: Mia_Hoshifaia at March 23, 2006 11:18 AMThanks Mia! Actually, Financial Aide paid for my Ag. Degrees ten years ago. It was such a pain in the ass--I fought with the Fin. Aide office all the time because of their stupid rules and ridiculous paperwork. Doesn't seem like things have changed much. Ha ha!
I'm not sure if they'll pay for the two math classes and year of foreign language I need to get my general AA, since I've already completed an AAS (3 of them actually). *sigh*
Stupid math classes. I knew I should've just bit the bullet and taken them when I was still in school...I hate math.
I'm pretty sure once I transfer to the 4 year uni I'll be eligible again. If not, I'm praying for the loan option. LOL I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
I'm excited to go back to school. I can't wait to learn new things in subjects that I like (except math).
Posted by: Zoso at March 23, 2006 12:50 PMNo need to pray for a loan. They give them to anyone who can't get other financial aid. Why not? you have to pay them back plus interest right? so they probably actually make money on it in the long run.
Obviously, it's way cooler when you get free help you don't have to pay back. But oh well.
Posted by: sarah at March 23, 2006 01:27 PMWell well, math troubles eh? This is a major dweeb statement but I like college math so far. Granted I'm only in Trigonometry, and it gets a lot harder, but it has transformed from my least favorite to my second favorite class. If you need assistance with trig and below, I'll try to help ya.
Ah, and Zoso, you should check and see if you qualify for the Trade Act college thing. (I'm not really sure what it is called) If you do the government will pay for 2 years of your college education. My stepdad is doing that, but he worked for a factory so I don't know it will work for you. (Don't really know what your previous job was) Hopefully you qualify! They pay for everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. Every college expense except gas.
Posted by: Mia_Hoshifaia at March 23, 2006 04:28 PMYeah, I'm a moron when it comes to higher level math. I won't be taking anything other than intermediate alegbra and probably statistics. The BA I'm going for is focused around computer design, fine art, and english. Interesting mix-match of the two, but it has all the things I'm interested in. Luckily there's little math involved.
I might take you up on the offer (math). LOL Though I won't start college until this fall. I'll probably take intermediate algebra and Japanese 101 my first quarter back. Then statisics and Japanese 102 my second quarter. Hopefully I pass the math and not have to take the classes again (like I did with basic algebra). After that all I'll have left is one more Japanese class, but I'm working on getting them to let me start the university while I finish up at the community college.
The trade thing sounds interesting. I don't think I'd qualify. I've never been involved in trade work before. I probably wouldn't be good at it. LOL It would be nice to get school paid for again...it's so expensive these days.
SARAH
You'll have to tell me more about how the loan thing works. I'm pretty sure I'll have to go that route eventually. :P I filled out my FAFSA today and submitted it, so that's out of the way.
Posted by: Zoso at March 23, 2006 09:07 PM