JSBKT The Imperfectly Perfect Family of 5: {Officially A Graduate Student}

Inquiring minds want to know...

So, I thought I’d share =)

A few weeks ago, I shared that I had officially been accepted into the Master's Program at Centenary College. It was a little unexpected (okay A LOT unexpected) but it was by far one of the BEST phone calls I have EVER received.

Let me begin by explaining that getting my Master's in Elementary Education has been something that I have strived for, for a very long time. When I started my journey, my hope was to someday make it to this point.

When I found out that we were moving and that I wouldn’t be able to apply to the Master’s Program at the University of La Verne, my heart was literally crushed. I didn’t know what road was waiting for me at that point and I didn’t know what choices I was going to have to make for myself but, I knew what was important and that my priorities lied with my children and my husband.

So we moved, we got ourselves settled, and then Jason deployed.

Before Jason left, I had it my mind that I was going to conquer it all while he was away; kids, subbing as much as possible, training for a marathon, and eventually plunging right back into school.

Deployment came, a bit of depression set in and I was just stuck. My main focus became my children, everything else just slipped away. I did everything I could just to keep my head above water. Needless to say, studying for the 3 separate exams became almost impossible for me.

When Jason came home, I struggled with how much time I had lost while he was away. I took a lot out on myself. I don’t like to fail and for the first time in my life I literally felt like I had failed. I felt like I had let myself down but more importantly, I felt like I had let my family down. This was extremely hard for me to deal with.

After a few breaking points and a lot of encouragement from some very special people in my life, I finally decided to take a really long hard look in the mirror. It took some time but eventually, I found the girl who doesn’t quite know how to give up. I found the girl who has been waiting patiently to give. I found the girl who has so many dreams waiting to be pursued.

So, I took the plunge! I jumped into studying with full force. I did A LOT of research on the colleges in our area, I weighed my options, and eventually made a decision that was best not only for me, but for my family as well.

I read books!!

I made flashcards!!

I memorized chants and songs!!

I studied my children’s homework!!

You name it, I DID IT!!!

I was determined to pass the exams on the first try. I had to in order to meet the registration deadline.

Exam 1: PASSED

Exam 2: PASSED

Exam 3: PASSED

My scores were submitted and I thought everything was PERFECT!! I celebrated by having a cup of coffee and a little shopping (of course). But then, I found out that the schedule had been altered and that I missed the deadline by 1 day! I was devastated. Okay maybe that’s a little dramatic but I was really really sad. However, my newly appointed academic advisor was fantastic and gave me hope. She explained that she would process my packet so that I would be ready to start the summer term and that she would also help streamline my Practitioner Licenses so that I would be able to teach full-time after Christmas break. I figured that this was how it was meant to be for me right now. I accepted my fate and decided to move on focusing on the bigger picture.

Fast forward to November 16^th, I was having a terrible horrible no good very bad day! I had just found out that I fractured my foot and that my marathon training was on hold for “hopefully” 4 weeks. I won’t lie, I was pouting, moping, and even crying. I was pretty bummed out about the whole situation but then I got a phone call.

At 1:00 PM, my academic advisor called to ask me if I would be interested in starting the Master's Program in January. They had one slot open up. She explained to me that in the 33 years that she has been with Centenary, they have never registered anyone into a graduate program after the registration deadline but that after carefully reviewing my test scores, my transcripts, and speaking with my previous academic advisor, that they would be honored to have me join the program. I was speechless!!! I know I cried in between my squeals of happiness. The catch (because there always has to be a catch), I had to write a 500 word essay, prepare a resume, get my immunizations up to date, and be at the school the next morning by 9 AM for an interview with the Director of the program and the Dean on the school!!! Pretty crazy...RIGHT?!?!?!

I was completely blown away but beyond excited!!!

I don’t know that I ever went to sleep that night but I did manage to hobble my way to my interview (nervous as heck) the next morning. Everything went extremely well. Everyone that I was introduced to welcomed me with open arms. They all had such nice things to say about me and the work I’ve done. I truly felt honored to be sitting in that room. I walked out of the interview feeling strong and confident in myself and I must admit it was pretty dang AWESOME to be holding a letter of acceptance in my hands!!!

Yesterday was my official registration date. After signing a few papers, taking a picture, and inputting some information into the computer, I can officially say that...

I AM A GRADUATE STUDENT!!!

I will begin classes the day after Jason and I return from our much anticipated trip to Florida.