Tommy and long-time friend and supporter Tracy Smith

There are many reasons why some people do not finish grade twelve and do not receive a high school diploma. Some choose to leave school and raise a family; some decide that they would rather work, while others simply feel that sitting in school is a waste of time and not for them. Quite often, however, the need for steady income and the personal satisfaction attained from enjoyable employment drives some of these individuals back to the classroom as adult learners. Being an adult learner is not easy, as you are surrounded by younger students, are not used to study techniques, and have adult obligations. This story is intended to provide a glimmer of hope to readers that are thinking of going back to school as an adult, or feel that they cannot change their employment situation because they feel they are too old to learn. I have done it, and so can you.

I am currently a mature postgraduate student pursuing my Masters of Science degree in Biology. My life, however, was not always academically inclined as I was one of the countless individuals that choose to leave school early every year to pursue work. The path I have elected to journey through education has not been straight and narrow, but has placed me in a life where I truly belong. I do not regret walking a winding path towards my goals, because I feel that I am a student because I want to be; justified by the rivers I have had to cross. I would not trade the irreplaceable knowledge I have attained in my years of work before academia, as I believe I am a better scientist knowing what its like to work hard to accomplish goals through determination.

I was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the youngest of a family of eight. I completed grade nine at Birchwood Junior High School at the general level. I was placed in general education in junior high school because during these years I was not a very good student — lacking enthusiasm, constantly skipping classes, and never doing homework. At the time I was more interested in being outdoors fishing, hunting, and exploring nature. Following my grade nine general graduation, I was promoted the grade ten academic level at Charlottetown Rural high school. This promotion was made because a guidance counsellor noticed that I was able to do much more academically because, for a brief period when I applied myself in grade school, I was able to complete grades five and six in one year. Unfortunately, the shift to grade ten academic proved too much for me to handle, as I did not have background knowledge in many subjects. I decided that school was not for me halfway through grade ten and quit to enter the workforce; never finishing my grade ten education.

Continued....