National Adult Literacy Database

June 2, 2008

This week, we have a story written by Kim Baird, from Morell, PEI. Kim has been with the Adult & Community Education Program at Holland College in Morell through the entire 2007 - 2008 season and has been accepted by Holland College into the Bioscience program for this fall.

A Decision Worth Making

by Kim Baird

Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? I had been out of school, except for an occasional course, when I made my decision to aggressively pursue a post secondary education. The Bioscience Technology program at Holland College attracted me, but unfortunately I hadn’t taken all of the prerequisite highschool courses I needed to apply.

It was merely by chance that a friend of mine had recently completed his GED upgrading and suggested that I check out the Adult Education program. By calling, I discovered I could study the necessary courses, the program was affiliated with Holland College, and there was a location less than five minutes away from my home. The rest, as they say, "is history."

It’s five months later and I’m writing this on my final day of classes. I’ve earned the credits I needed in biology and math and have been accepted into Holland College’s bioscience program for the fall term. More than that though, I’ve met great people of like mind who were a source of inspiration. I’ve enjoyed a relaxing, encouraging atmosphere led by two wonderful, knowledgeable teachers - Anne Morrison and Peter Sheppard. It has given me access to job fairs, scholarship/bursary information, college program and entrance information, internet access, resume-building experience and so much more. My only regret is that I didn’t learn of this program sooner.

For anyone wishing to make a life change, upgrade their skills or pursue a dream, I can’t recommend this program strongly enough. It’s a platform to jump from that provides a wealth of knowledge. A world away from high school, it’s where you are treated like an equal and given the support needed to make such an important decision... all you have to do is take the first step and believe.