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Jesse: Transitioning back into school was, it was a little difficult at first.
I hadn't actually done that well in high school
and it had been about 12 years since I graduated
so I was really intimidated by having to come back into an academic setting.
Kelley: It's definitely a transition worth doing, it hasn't been easy on anyone in my family
and it's definitely I hadn't been a student in about 20 years,
so that's definitely a transition but it's been well worth it.
Tyler: Coming back, all the lessons and everything the professors tell me
I am constantly relating to my experiences and so it's not just theory for me.
Sandy: I think experience in the real world has helped a lot for me to make the transition into college
I'm able to use a lot of the information
through running a household, through my work experiences
and use that with the information in specific classes and how that can be put to practical use.
Amy: My children are really proud of me, at first my son was a little surprised
and he said he thought I had a good job, and I said, "Well I do have a good job,
but I want something different and I want more of a challenge."
I want to learn more about a different field
and my daughter was really proud of me and she has been supportive all the way and in fact she went back to school
after I did to Nursing school, so she's a nursing student.
Jesse: Since I am paying for it myself, you know I work hard because it's not just something that I have to do,
it's something I decided to do.
Kelley: It's definitely better now to have more of a set schedule, and my family is aware of that set schedule as well
and then the extra free time I have, I'm able to study maybe when they're not around so I can still be involved
but sometimes I have to take a backseat and not be Mom and just be the student.
Sandy: The hardest part has been with kids, trying to manage the time. I feel guilty when I'm not with them
or when I'm studying and we're all at home and I should be playing with the kids.
That's the hardest part for me.
Kelley: Ask questions, if you don't know how financial aid works or you don't know how to register for classes
or you don't know how to find this or that, just ask around really, don't be afraid.
Amy: At first I thought I was going to be kind of an outcast because I was older
and people look at me like their mom. But I don't feel that way, I think people have treated me, for the most part, as an equal
and I really appreciate that and respect that.
Sandy: I've had a few people say to me in my process that 5 years from now, you're still going to be 5 years older
and it kinda stuck with me. So where do I want to be 5 years from now and I'm in a much better spot
and I would encourage folks to try.