There are many reasons why I chose to become an adult learner; from dead-end jobs and very little income, to the joys of welfare. NSCC is allowing me the opportunity to gain my high school diploma and further my education in hopes of achieving meaningful employment and providing a secure atmosphere for my children.
Making the decision to return to school as an adult an adult learner was not easy. The little bit of money which I was used to making was not going to be there anymore and school would be taking a large portion of my time. Coming from a family that did not graduate from high school took the pressure of finishing away from me, but I now realize how important it is to get that diploma and to continue on with your studies. When it came down to it, I knew that I had to make this decision for my children because they deserve to have the best possible future and I will do whatever I have to do to provide for them.
I feel that being an adult learner, returning after more than three years away from a school environment, poses many challenges. It is one thing to come to college right after high school graduation while your student skills are still intact, but it is an extremely challenging task to reapply yourself to a classroom setting and to apply yourself to your studies. There are times when I sit in class and question my being here. There are many other things I can picture myself doing; many other things that sound a lot better than what the classroom is offering, but the reality is, that if I leave now, I will be here again in a few years’ time and it will be harder then.
So here I am – Nova Scotia Community College – the Adult Learning Program. I am making this commitment for myself because I deserve a better life. I made this commitment for my children, not only because they deserve the best life can offer, but because I want to be a positive role model for them.
Returning to school as an adult learner has changed me in a lot of ways and all of them are positive. I am more confident in my skills and I no longer doubt myself as often as I used to. I feel that I am more useful to the working world and that I will be more useful as a father when my kids start going to school. I feel that I can be a better person in life in general. I will be an adult learner for the rest of my life. I actually have an interest in learning new things. I realize how important it is to be a lifelong learner and I will apply that attitude to everything I do in my future. I have no regrets about becoming an adult learner. It will benefit me and my family forever.