My eldest started college applications in 2021 and asked why I had not finished mine. I told her …
T=0: The Decision
Dropped out in 1999 with 2 years of credits left. Life happened: a marriage, two children, a real estate licence, a reasonable income built entirely without the degree I had not finished. For 22 years I introduced myself and subtly avoided any conversation that touched on college.
My eldest started college applications in 2021 and asked why I had not finished mine. I told her the short version. She said: "Can you still go back?" I looked it up that night. The university accepted my old credits. I enrolled in an online business completion programme before I could talk myself out of it.
Walking at graduation. Proving to my daughter that unfinished things can be finished.
12 Months Out
Juggling work, two teenagers, and coursework is harder than I anticipated. My husband does more of the household load now. My kids genuinely help me study — my daughter quizzes me on accounting principles on Sunday mornings.
“Protect 3 dedicated study hours per week as non-negotiable. Tell your family explicitly. It took me 4 months to stop apologising for closing my laptop and saying I need to study.”