Less Than A Month Until I’m A Student Again?!
I did always enjoy the movie, Back to School.
I looked at the calendar today and realized, to my surprise, that I start school in less than a month. Not even one month left until this 30-year-old starts hanging out with kids almost half my age. Okay, maybe they’re not that young, but close! I’m almost more nervous this time around than I was when I completed my undergrad and headed to law school. That very brief stint in law school was the last time I have attended a formal class. After that educational attempt fell apart (school was awesome, but everything outside of school seemed to conspire against me) I told myself that would be the end of it. Time to get a job and work for the rest of my life.
Unfortunately, work left me unfulfilled, as it does for far too many people. Of course, when you have no idea what you want to do with your life, that’s not necessarily a pressing issue. After spending a lot of time working in veterinary clinics, and later, administrative positions, I knew I needed a change. It wasn’t until I took up fishing and started volunteering for a variety of conservation projects that I finally found some direction in my life. Darrell and I discussed the prospect of my returning to school, but the finances never worked out. I was too afraid to make the leap and leave us in a very poor financial situation. Sometimes it just requires a little push to make you take the risk.
In the middle of October I was attending a seminar with several ecologically-minded people. I struck up a conversation with a woman sitting at my table and was intrigued to hear of her background working as an environmental consultant out west. She too, had been working a less-than-fulfilling job and felt the need to make a change. She had enrolled at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay, Ontario, and after graduating, found a job she loved. I listened as she described her school experience and the jobs she has since held. By the time I returned to my car that afternoon, the wheels were turning.
What if…
I talked to Darrell about it and we played over the possibilities. To say I was excited would be an understatement. But nervous? Heck yes! I knew I wanted to return to school. Trying to get a job working in the fisheries or conservation fields would be even more of an uphill battle without formal education in that area. Could we manage? Well, not easily. But since we had last discussed it, Darrell ended up in a new job that allowed us the chance to seriously consider sending me to school. And there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to attend Fleming so that presented another consideration – how was I going to get somewhere that is many hours from home? With my mind spinning and a litany of doubts constantly worming their way into my thoughts, I went online and completed my application.
I’ll skip the boring stuff that has happened since then, but the fact is, next month I will be an Ecosystem Management Technician student at Fleming. Moving isn’t really an option for us right now (finding somewhere to move 3 horses, 3 cats and 2 dogs to, while keeping Darrell close to work, is not an easy task) so I’ll be doing some marathon driving. I’ve made arrangements with friends to let me crash at their place when I just can’t get all the way home. Money will be incredibly tight – I stress myself out quite often just thinking about it. I’ll be looking for part-time work as soon as I get settled into a routine. We’ll make it work. We always do.
Despite the fears and doubts that remain, I cannot wait to start this new adventure. I am, perhaps rather absurdly, looking forward to studying and exams. I’m looking forward to field work and learning all sorts of interesting stuff. I’m looking forward to working with like-minded people, and the opportunities that will hopefully present themselves. Do you what Darrell’s most looking forward to? The fact that I’ll be near a lot of new water and can do the scouting for the productive holes, so he just has to show up and fish!
Life is a journey and I’ve always believed that you should make the most of it. I plan to learn, have fun, and enjoy the process of returning to school. I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle any pub crawls though…my alcohol tolerance is not what it used to be.
argosgirl
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Good luck, Becca! Glad to hear you’re following your dreams.
Thanks Eugene! I can’t wait to get started.