People talk about growing pains all the time. But no one ever talks about learning pains. Here's my two-cents on the matter.
I'm a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a homemaker, and a student. Of the many hats that I wear in my day-to-day, I have to say being a student is the most challenging one. But its supposed to be hard, right? Going back to school to finish a Bachelor degree after taking 6 years off is not supposed to be easy, right? Sometimes I sit and think, "Holy cow. I'm pushing 30 and I'm still doing this?" I get frustrated and ask myself, "Why? WHY??" But sure enough I am reminded that what I'm doing is working towards a goal. I am finishing a project I started 11 years ago. I'm setting an example to my children and to others that an education is important, and is well worth the sacrifice.
I'm a student and it hurts. It kills me to not get to spend every available minute with my family. I don't like having to stay up way too late working on writing assignments and finding creative ways to get my reading time in. (The READING! SO much and so little time.) I wish I could read at the speed of light, and think even faster, but my brain is just as old as I am. And I'm not getting any younger.
I'm a learner and it's hard. I can't say that I expected it to be easy, but I truthfully had no idea the journey I'd be traveling to finish my degree. When I started college I was single, and living at home. Life was simple. But now? I'm married to a loving husband with two beautiful children and a mortgage (and all that goes with it). The past year has been one of the most trying years of my life, but I'm still doing this.
I am learning, and I am growing. After completing the current semester, I have 4 classes left until I graduate. Only 12 credits to go! I don't remember who told me to start chanting, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can," but whoever said it knew that I needed to hear those little words of encouragement. I not only think I can do this, I know I can. I just have to stick with it, smile through the pain, and finish what I started. Getting back into a humane sleeping schedule will be the icing on the cake when it is all over. I guarantee it!
