Who said school was just for kids?

Who said school was just for kids?

  I stopped a complete stranger to take this picture of me, oh my kids would be mortified - too bad.

Well, September is here and I'm back in school and not giving up.  The good news is that I'm not alone on this journey.  Here I am with long time friend, Theresa Hara, who is also finishing up her degree.  We have both been taking classes over the years at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas.  Now that we are both empty nesters we can focus more on our schooling.

New members of the Geek Squad.

If you have a full time student at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota there is a program that might be of interest to you.  It is a program called "Parents on Campus" which allows parent(s) of full-time students to be eligible to take up to two courses (or eight credits) on a space available basis without tuition charge. 

As an older, non-traditional student, there are challenges I have that the younger generation doesn't even consider.  Some of these issues are - will I be the only one in class with reading glasses, will I be able to keep up with the new technology, will I be able to remember and retain the class materials, will my scheduled colonoscopy "prep" interfere with homework or will I get a "hot-flash" while I'm giving a presentation in front of the class? Well, some of these situations might come to fruition but I just keep reminding myself that you don't get anywhere in life if you play it safe.  

It is becoming more common than you think for people to go back to school.   Everyone has their own reason; whether it is to change careers, achieve a higher position in your company, now that your children are older you have more time to study or maybe you just want to sharpen your mind.  Remember, it is important to stimulate the brain no matter what your age.  

Whatever your reason is to decide to go back to school, stay focused on your goals and work at a pace that is best suited for you.  Take it one step at a time and you will succeed.

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to life forever." - Mohandas Gandhi