Tomorrow is a big day for me.  I look at it as a milestone of sorts.  It’s the start of my final term at Kaplan.  I have a mere 69 days left in my undergraduate career.  When things like this happen, the entire time I’ve spent doing this begins to come into perspective.

Four years ago I started this journey, but it only seems like a few months. 

I remember signing up for Kaplan four years ago, and realizing that I had indeed found my groove.  This was fun!  I cherish the times where the other students in the class labeled me as the “most knowledgeable” in a particular topic, and I was looked upon as someone who could provide qualified guidance based on my work and life experience.  It always feels good when people look to you for the answer to a problem or dilemma.  I was able to put those skills to use at Kaplan.

I recall some of the occurrences of the past four years that included the unexpected passing of my father right in the middle of a term in early 2004, and how flexible my instructors were in one of the worst times in my life.   If it were not for their understanding, I don’t think I would be where I am today.  

I remember having to take a programming class the following term, and just giving up on it in the first week because I didn’t have the mental capacity or the desire to absorb everything that was going on.  (That was the only class I failed in my four years).  I took the class again later on, and made an “A”. 

And I remember thinking about school once again four days after my father had passed.  That’s the day my daughter was born.  I knew there was no quitting at that point.  And I didn’t quit.  It’s not about me anymore.  I am doing this for someone else, too!  I have to set the example.  I hope I have begun to do that.

I remember many times where I should have been more active in my school activities and requirements, but couldn’t muster the enthusiasm that I usually have.  But I pressed on.  I remember thinking about some classes seeming like they were 6 months long and wishing they would be over so I could move on to something more interesting. 

I recall several times where I just wanted to quit because school was cutting into my personal life.  Eventually I came to realize that school WAS my personal life, and I would get out of it what I put into it.  Now we’re approaching the end.  Looking back, I don’t regret anything.  It has all been worth the sacrifice and then some!  If I were put in the position to do it all over again, I would do it without hesitation. 

Being able to share my stories and insights here with all of you has been fun, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.  In a few months, I’ll just be writing about another journey if all things go as planned.

Here’s to the final term and the four years that are now behind me.  It has been an exciting journey that I won’t forget.