Tag: school

Lunch hour

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

During lunch today I spent my time figuring out a schedule.  I ate quickly and then got down to figuring out what classes I want to take when. 

It looks like if I do just two classes a semester I’ll be in school for four years.  This means that I’ll be 51 when I graduate and a lot more money in debt.  The next thing I’ll be looking at is how much I can pick up during the summer sessions and if I can save enough from one year of financial aid to pay for another year. 

My biggest concern now – not surprising – is the cost of going to school.  Financial aid will be all loans.  I do think I might qualify for some scholarships but because I already have one degree it narrows the opportunities.  The question becomes how much in debt do I want to go.

If the money falls into place, I’m looking forward to taking classes and being challenged to think and write in different ways.  I’m looking forward to refining the skills I have and sharpening them.  Hopefully in the long run this will lead to a profitable second job / later in life career. 

I’m going to be a writer.  I might as well have the degree to go with it.  Hopefully it will assist me in making my hobby into something more.

School…

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
It is official – to a point.  I am definitely going to school in the fall.  I’ve had my advising session.  It was okay.  I thought I’d get more direction and more input on the classes I need to take but I didn’t.  I was told to email professors to see if they’ll allow me into classes that have closed. 
I’ve emailed two professors already and am waiting to hear.  One already said no.  The other I’m still waiting on.  Of course I want an answer NOW but I’ll be patient.  The web based section turned me down.  I’m waiting to hear from the night class teacher to see if he will let me in to the writing class I really want to take.  If that doesn’t work out I’ll see what other classes I can get in to.     
If I can get into two night classes then I don’t need to adjust my schedule at all.  If not – I’ll try for classes I can get into and just adjust my work schedule.  Mostly it will mean I’ll be working longer on Fridays. 
Next semester should be easier as I’ll be able to register early and not have to stress over what classes are open. 
Next hurdle to clear will be the financial aid stuff.  I’ve asked my advisor to send off an email to the person in financial aid who needs it and to CC me on it.  I’ll wait a day or two to see if she does it.  If not, then I’ll zip her off an email. 
Once all of that is in place, I’ll be set for going to school in the fall.  It will be a bit odd I think but I’m also looking forward to the writing classes.  It will be fun to take classes and fine tune my skills.  With any luck it will help me get a book or two published and/or pick up a part time job for editing.
Come September, I’m going to be a college student again… how weird is that?

Roller Coaster Life

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

I feel like I’m on a roller coaster.  I was upset yesterday because I looked at my school account under financial aid and it said no financial aid for 2012 (meaning Fall 11 – Spring 12).  I thought I wouldn’t be able to go back to school.  I was disappointed. 

I called the financial aid office to see why and if there was anything I could do about it.  I got a young woman who confused the hell out of me.  I asked questions and she couldn’t answer them.  I quickly realized she didn’t have any idea. 

Fortunately, I am persistent.  I got the name of the woman I needed to talk to and emailed her questions.  This morning I got her response.  She cleared up a lot of my confusion and informed me that as a Special Student (no comments here from my smart ass family and friends) I need to be going for a degree not just taking classes.  All I have to do to qualify for financial aid is have my advisor email her some information. 

Today, I emailed my advisor and set up an appointment.  We discussed a little of what I want to do.  Tonight after I had time to go through things, I emailed her a list of questions. 

It seems like I’ll be able to go to school.  I’m excited about it and hope that I can do what I want to do.  I’ve gone from being disappointed yesterday to excited today.  Tomorrow who knows what I’ll be feeling…

School… very possibly…

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized
This has been on my mind for a while now.  I’ve actually filled out a lot of paperwork and am moving forward with going back to school.  I have sent in my financial aid forms and my application.  I don’t know if I will get enough to go or get accepted to the college.  I don’t know if I really want to be the old lady in the classes.  I’ll be looking at a second and possibly a third bachelor’s degree in English Writing and English Book Publishing and Editing.
Here’s what I do know.  I want to learn more.  I want to fine tune my writing and editing skills.  I’d like to be a better writer.  Will it help me to get published?  I haven’t a clue.  I’ll have to take at least two classes (6 credits) to be considered part time.  When I look at the schedule of classes though, I want to take eight or ten of them.  This of course would be WAY more than a full load. 
Here I am 47 years old and considering going back to school.  This almost seems foolish.  I’m not getting a degree that will further my ability to make money in my day job.  It might help with my writing business but there is no certainty about it. 
There are tax advantages to going to school.  I’ll get a tax credit for being a part time student.  If I wanted to I could defer my student loans (not going to happen I don’t think). 
I think between the two degrees there are about 14 – 18 classes I would have to take.  If I take two classes a semester, it will take 7-9 semesters which is about four years.  If I get student loans I could put money aside and take summer classes which would decrease the amount of time I would be in school. 
Then there is the social factor.  I’m not all that interested in the socializing or even the group work of going to school.  I think this is the part that worries me the most.  It is hard for me to think about being in classes with a lot of other people.  I have to try to remember names and get along with everyone.  I’m not sure at this stage in my life I want to play nice with others.
I have a lot to think about before I make my decision.  There is still information I need.  I have to finish off my application process.  I have to see about financial aid.  There is a lot to do and what if after all this work I don’t get accepted or get the money needed?  Will I be disappointed?  Am I crazy?

School or not

by eileentroemel, posted in Uncategorized

Recently I was wandering through a college catalog looking for information for my daughter.  Now I’ve wandered through college catalogs a lot.  I almost always look at what classes are offered in English and Writing.  I look, I dream, I move on. 

However, I’m working at the University now.  I looked at the classes for a degree or two.  These sounded interesting.  There is a big part of me that says, “What are you thinking?  You are too old, fat, settled, poor… and a whole lot more to go back to school.”

Then there is that other voice – you know the one – the one that says I double dare you.  Well of course you can’t pass up a double dare.  So being an intelligent researcher – I start looking at the requirements.  Now this is my alma mater so I did my first degree there.  I looked around and there really are a number of classes I would like to take but one class is nearly $1000.  But they have a creative writing, poetry, fiction, screen writer classes that all sound very interesting.

All of this looking and thinking brought up a lot of questions.  I don’t like not knowing stuff.  It frustrates me.  I talked to people and have all this information floating around in my head.  My first degree would allow me to go back and get a second major without having to do anything more than take the classes I want.  However, no financial aid would be available to me. 

If I decide to get a BA or BS then I could get financial aid.  However, I would either have to take a lab science class (yuck) or a year of languages (double yuck).  I’m not good at any of them.  Zoology I got a B and German I got a D.  My mind is saying nope – shouldn’t do this.

Yet the email with all the information sits in my inbox and I can’t delete it.  Do I want to be the oldest student in the classes?  Do I want to deal with a bunch of teenagers in these classes?  Do I want to hassle with tiny little desks?   Do I want to add another degree to my resume?  Would it still leave me time to write?  Will it help me to get published?  This definitely bears thinking about.  I guess that is the stage I’m at – thinking about it.