Tribe.net. Local Connections ecrivaine32 http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation/thread/e0e120b4-3a1f-41a4-b0f1-46dce44c2bdc 2007-09-19T16:21:38Z 2007-09-19T16:21:38Z

<div>My tumblelog is at http://lifelonglearner.tumblr.com <br/> <br/>Also, check out this link to lifelong learning tools: <br/> <br/>http://oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/the-self-directed-student-toolbox-100-web-resources-for-lifelong-learners</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation">Goals in Adult Higher Education</a> - 0 replies </div>

ecrivaine32 2007-09-19T16:21:38Z ecrivaine32 http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation/thread/f823891c-b3e8-4048-8238-2ad4c7bb6723 2007-01-24T22:10:09Z 2007-01-17T22:19:11Z

<div>If you've found this tribe: What's your story? Where are you on your educational path? Inquiring minds want to know. Or at least I do. <br/> <br/>I'll begin to get us warmed up. <br/> <br/>I created this tribe today because I am nearing my mid-30's, and though I'm intelligent, moderately successful in life and have tried many times, I have over and over again left the path that would lead to a better career and a realization of my dreams, the one to my B.A. in Communications. It all has to do with an invisible barrier I erected long ago, a fear of my own creation and imagination, from growing up in an environment that never encouraged anything above mediocrity, that made me feel I somehow wasn't good enough. I carried that with me and it became a surety with me, that degrees were for people who were "lucky" or born with parents who could afford to send them to college, or for people who just had that amazing magical ability to not work and attend full-time classes. <br/> <br/>I was not willing to do it little by little. I was afraid at that rate I'd be too old. "It's too late," I said. Yes, in the beginning of my 30's, I was already saying that. <br/> <br/>I've always been a hungry learner. I've read voraciously and dallied constantly in a world of ideas and philosophical, intellectual conversations. I've been writing anything and everything since I was 9 years old. Not having a degree has not hurt me as much as it could have professionally, because I joined the Army over a decade ago - thanks to that, I've really had some amazing opportunities to travel, learn and network in life, for which I am truly thankful. Still, the urge to prove myself to myself by meeting my own personal challenge of reaching for and grabbing that degree has never ceased its pull. Whenever the age-old question of "so where did you attend college" came up, I'd find myself feeling ashamed, ducking out of conversations to avoid not having an answer to give. <br/> <br/>Today, January 17, 2007, I pledge to change this. I have decided nothing else in the world is more important to me, and that waiting for the "perfect moment" to begin no longer serves to do anything more than push my dream of achieving higher education further into the distant future. <br/> <br/>I found a B.A. in Communications was available today through University of Maryland University College (UMUC), fully through online classes. I now have NO more excuses. The degree I wanted, that I thought was never available online, is there and waiting for me to tap into it. <br/> <br/>Baby steps... I then called and talked to an adviser who told me where to go to apply online. I did that. On Friday, I am to call and check that it was processed, and then I am going to begin with one class... only one. Reason being that I am starting small, one small incremental change at a time, so that I don't give myself the opportunity to back out and run, as I have in the past. <br/> <br/>I have even told friends and coworkers to bug me about this as much as they want. "Hold me accountable," I say to them. In this way, I hope I am building a support network that will help to keep me on track when times are rough, and I'm feeling overwhelmed. <br/> <br/>When I accomplish this one goal that I've let hold me back for so long, I know I will be able to do just about anything. <br/> <br/>The bandwagon is there for you to jump on - so what are you waiting for?</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation">Goals in Adult Higher Education</a> - 2 replies </div>

ecrivaine32 2007-01-17T22:19:11Z ecrivaine32 http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation/thread/491d0af3-14e1-4c55-a043-befa853d58a1 2007-01-24T22:08:46Z 2007-01-24T22:08:46Z

<div>Today, I took the first positive step toward building myself an amazing personal history. I enrolled in and paid for my first class at University of Maryland University College (UMUC), and I have the book for my course already on the way. I'm just starting small, as I stated before, due to previous fears of being overwhelmed with too much coursework. I am taking a course I have great personal interest in, Sociology (SOCY) 100. I am very excited. At first, I had planned to only take online courses, but when I called today, the online version was full up, and the physical course every Monday was open. I decided 'why not' and enrolled, because it's probably a smarter option for me to get started with a course where I am among other adult students. <br/> <br/>How perfect is this, too - The stop for the college is one stop before my usual stop where I park each and every day, which means I can get there, attend and then go straight home without any back and forth distance and transportation woes. This is what truly makes me believe there is a higher hand at work in my life. I may not call it God like some people, but I acknowledge that it is present in my life. <br/> <br/>I also believe there is a reason I have ended up taking the non-virtual version. Either I will find people with common issues and interests, or in the long run, it will help cement me in my efforts to reach my educational goals. In the past few months I've really begun to learn and support the philosophy that no one can succeed in isolation. This was echoed in a webinar I attended given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) the other day, and I think it holds true for everything, from the individual to large corporations. <br/> <br/>What do you think? Do you agree that having the support of friends or family who are or have been in similar situations is helpful and maybe better than going it alone? </div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation">Goals in Adult Higher Education</a> - 0 replies </div>

ecrivaine32 2007-01-24T22:08:46Z ecrivaine32 http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation/thread/e0888ec4-907d-4d3f-8f77-ebe51b83fb4a 2007-01-18T14:59:09Z 2007-01-18T14:59:09Z

<div>The following is what I perceive to be some very valuable practical advice from a former student who took some time to achieve his degree. I wanted to share this with the future group members of this Tribe (because I know you're out there somewhere - I cannot be the only one, right?) It was kind of him to share this with me in response to my Yedda.org posting at http://yedda.com/questions/5041189510390/ , and I thank him: <br/> <br/>John said: <br/> <br/>For my B.A., I took a leave of absence just shy of graduation (at 21), worked full-time, then returned to take the remaining few classes 8 years later. I then earned a master's degree via online classes. Some things I learned that may be helpful: <br/>First, be proud of yourself! Being an older student, you have a maturity that many of your younger peers might envy. When I returned to school, I had more realistic expectations of how to use my time, and I wish I could have told my younger self how important it is to not cut class, to take good notes, and to leave enough time to prepare for the next class, and other things that just come naturally now. <br/> <br/>Second, there aren't special requirements for older students. Your professors may realize your potential and encourage you to go beyond the minimum for assignments, but nobody expects you to write a dissertation for a class paper. <br/> <br/>Third, I found that professors are fairly reasonable about "life demands" (spouse, kids, etc.) that older students have to deal with. If you know at the beginning of a semester that you'll have to miss a class because of say, parent-teacher conferences, let the instructor know. <br/> <br/>Fourth, make a deliberate effort to stay involved in class community. Online classes, especially, can be fairly isolating -- so if possible, make an effort to get to know people. (Maybe there's someone else nearby also enrolled in class?) This doesn't mean you have to stay up all night with the younger folks -- you're 30-something, not 17 -- but don't just be an email address or chat handle. You may even find some of the younger students looking up to you and seeking you out for wisdom. <br/> <br/>In my master's program, I was one of the younger students -- many folks were pursuing the degree as a second career. It was great to have their perspectives and insight. <br/> <br/>Finally, a caveat: verbalize the phrase "...but that's not how it is in real life" sparingly, even if it's true. <br/> <br/>Good luck! <br/></div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/adulteducation">Goals in Adult Higher Education</a> - 0 replies </div>

ecrivaine32 2007-01-18T14:59:09Z