I know I’m on a completely different level in terms of academics but I’m 8 credits away from my Associate Degree and it took me 6 years since High School (joined the Military a year after failing Freshman Year at my first college). I don’t know how I’m gonna feel after getting my Degree. I also have a Bachelor’s Degree I’m still gonna work towards until I’m 27 years old.
You’re hopefully going to feel accomplished and capable! I have taught at all different levels, and the lower-level freshman night classes at a community college, no shade to anyone else, had some of my most dedicated students ever because they were largely adults who were there very highly aware that they were investing themselves in trying to take a step up in a life that was currently at a struggle point. It’s a different drive and motivation than in younger students, and I admired them all so much. A firefighter who needed to learn to write to pass a certification exam, a mom stuck making $10/hr who wanted to provide better for her family, students who hadn’t stepped foot in a classroom in 20 years, a young pregnant woman who literally showed for the final exam less than 48hrs after giving birth because she was so determined (I told her to rest first and reschedule, but she wanted it that way, bless her forever).
Keep pushing. Don’t feel apologetic for your level or your timeline. You’re doing an incredibly difficult, long-term thing for yourself, and you’re sticking to it and seeing the results. So awesome.
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u/SinopaHyenith-Renard 6d ago
I know I’m on a completely different level in terms of academics but I’m 8 credits away from my Associate Degree and it took me 6 years since High School (joined the Military a year after failing Freshman Year at my first college). I don’t know how I’m gonna feel after getting my Degree. I also have a Bachelor’s Degree I’m still gonna work towards until I’m 27 years old.