Feeding the Need

Thursday, July 4, 2013
I've been a professional student for many, many years. I started when I was 21 at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, and have continued to attend whichever local University or College was available where ever I lived, taking whatever interested me. The problem with such a plan, of course, is that eventually you end up with 155 credit hours, a 3.98 GPA, and no degree.

When I took my job in the Military Industrial Complex, I lost my Tuition Assistance benefit. I also had a few other things I needed to be learning for the first year, and didn't feel I had the time or the money to continue.

And I've missed it.

I miss the satisfaction of structured learning. I miss learning about topics that are not technology related, but instead interest me for reasons other than making a living. I miss the challenge of developing new ideas and having someone who is knowledgeable evaluate and critique them.

So I've decided to go back yet again. I start on August 19th, and I'm taking a Biology class that also includes a three hour lab on Saturdays. And who knows, I may actually get a degree this time. But I'm not going to hold my breath.

6 comments:

mom in northern said...

Where? DU?

Janiece said...

DU's a bit expensive for enrichment classes if I don't have Tuition Assistance. I'll be taking this one at Arapahoe.

Tom said...

By all means, keep breathing!

And keep learning. I'm envious. Not jealous, because that might mean I would want to be in your shoes, which, nope, no thanks. Envious. Meaning I wish I had the gumption to get up and do, without having had to, you know, do.

So, don't hold your breath. Breathe in, breathe out, and learn. This slug will sit back and admire your good-example-ness from the proper distance.

PaulM said...

I feel you. When I got out of the Navy in '81, I used my G.I. Bill's education benefits to supplement my income. I eventually accumulated Associates degrees in business, electronics, and psychology. I would gladly trade in my three 2-year degrees for one Bachelor. If I knew then what I know now... ah, hindsight.

John the Scientist said...

Biology! Whooo hooo! Lotsa gross pictures! And gross lab experiments!

What?

Janiece said...

Actually, I think I've decided to transfer to Colorado State University, because the local community college won't accept my math credits from the University of Denver. Something about my already having the maximum number of transfer credits, and they can't swap them in and out to give me a better arrangement for whatever reason.

I'm not so fond of math that I'm willing to take the same classes more than once.

Plus if I attend CSU I'll earn a B.S. (eventually, someday), and it counts towards my required professional development in the Military Industrial Complex. I'd much rather take college classes than certification exams, no doubt.