Something that has always bothered me was the fact that I didn't complete high school when I was young. When you're young, you don't realize how leaving school could affect you in so many ways later in your life. I started working at minimum wage jobs and did ok, or so I thought. I married and had three children with whom I stayed at home with while they were young. As my children progressed through elementary school and then high school, I started feeling inferior and even ashamed of myself for my lack of education, not only in the academic sense, but also in the social and intellectual areas. My self-esteem and self worth hit an all time low. I didn't feel I was able to re-enter the workforce. After I separated from my husband, I was faced with this fact head on and slowly had to re-enter the real world with part time work. By this time, I thought I would never have the opportunity to obtain my high school diploma due to life circumstances, lack of time, and resources. I held various full time jobs that were low paying and had frequent lay offs.
A wonderful opportunity presented itself to me during my last lay off. A program where I could obtain my high school diploma, as well as a certificate to become a Continuing Care Assistant was being piloted. I applied and was accepted.
Although I have only been a student for four months, the positive changes in my life are amazing. My confidence and self-esteem are increasing daily because I am succeeding. At 42 years old, I am now experiencing the power of education. That is affecting every area of my life, informing me, encouraging me, and giving me a new outlook for my future. Returning to school as an adult can be scary, challenging, and difficult at times but the benefits to your whole person is more than worth it!