My name is Sharon Boudreau and I am a resident of Stellarton, Pictou County. I am a single mother of two grown children and have lived in here for over 14 yrs now; I have a grade seven education and have always wanted to get my grade twelve. In the summer of 2008 a good friend and fellow graduate of NSCC encouraged me to go back to school.
As I stood in the main lobby I remember thinking I have got to be out of my mind to think I can go back to school at my age. I couldn't have been more wrong that day was the first step to a new journey. The day of orientation was one filled with emotions; fear, anticipation, hopes, confusion and determination. Looking back over the year this was most definitely the best decision I ever made for my life.
I soon came to see why this campus was such a success, the faculty and structure of the Adult Learning Program was the best I have ever seen. I soon got over my fear of being too old to go back to school and embraced this great opportunity with an open heart and mind. There were six subjects a day including science, math, communications, career skills, computer, and social studies. Some of these subjects I breezed through with little or no problem others such as math gave me great difficulty.
I never worried too much about the problem areas as I knew I had supportive and understanding faculty that were right there to help me out. It wasn't long before I could see how certain subjects would help me greatly out in the work force. Career skills for example taught me how to do a professional resume and how to find the right job fields for the experience and qualifications that I already possessed.
I now know skills such as excel, spread sheets, power point, word and much more. I find being an adult learner has given me the confidence to move forward in areas I would never venture before. I've learned to appreciate through adult learning the power of learning and the commitment it takes to succeed I have also learned the value of networking. I'm confident that this journey in adult learning will give me the tools I need to become a successful business woman, and obtain the career I am searching for. I now know there is no such thing as the impossible. I now have the education, skills and confidence I need to move forward in my life. Adult learning has enriched my life in so many ways not only in school but in my personal life as well.