Glenda Neawedde: A Student's Story
My name is Glenda and I am a 43 year-old student at Ivy Bridge College. I am married with four children and although my husband Jim has his Bachelor and Masters degree in physics, he is out of work.
When Jim graduated from college, we mutually decided that I would drop out and we'd get married and start a family. I have never regretted that decision as staying at home with my children is something I cherish. But now that the kids are older, I decided to go back to school so I could finally get my degree. I started at another university and completed 20 credit hours. But in March of 2009, my husband was laid off and I felt it was not in our best interest as a family for me to continue with school until I knew what our future held.
My mother always encouraged me to finish college because unexpected things happen. Obviously it went in one ear and out the other, but she spoke from experience as she also dropped out to get married and have kids. Then when I was 11 years old, my father injured his back and was unable to work. This forced my mom to take computer classes so she could desperately search for a good job. As I said, I didn't listen and here we are... my husband unemployed and me with no degree.
So after a few months of my husband's unemployment, I told myself it was time to get back to school. I didn't want to go back to the same university because I was not happy with the administration and their lack of student support. After extensive research, I chose Ivy Bridge College. They have made my transition extremely easy and I feel more than comfortable with the choice I made.
Although I was originally inspired to go back to school to get my degree, I am even more inspired now. It's helping my family and will encourage our youngest daughter to finish her degree when she goes to college.
When Jim graduated from college, we mutually decided that I would drop out and we'd get married and start a family. I have never regretted that decision as staying at home with my children is something I cherish. But now that the kids are older, I decided to go back to school so I could finally get my degree. I started at another university and completed 20 credit hours. But in March of 2009, my husband was laid off and I felt it was not in our best interest as a family for me to continue with school until I knew what our future held.
My mother always encouraged me to finish college because unexpected things happen. Obviously it went in one ear and out the other, but she spoke from experience as she also dropped out to get married and have kids. Then when I was 11 years old, my father injured his back and was unable to work. This forced my mom to take computer classes so she could desperately search for a good job. As I said, I didn't listen and here we are... my husband unemployed and me with no degree.
So after a few months of my husband's unemployment, I told myself it was time to get back to school. I didn't want to go back to the same university because I was not happy with the administration and their lack of student support. After extensive research, I chose Ivy Bridge College. They have made my transition extremely easy and I feel more than comfortable with the choice I made.
Although I was originally inspired to go back to school to get my degree, I am even more inspired now. It's helping my family and will encourage our youngest daughter to finish her degree when she goes to college.
