College 10 Years Later

Last night I cried tears of joy because I am finally, ten years after graduating high school, having the courage and determination to attend college.

Although I am in the early stages of applying and sending in my transcripts and ACT scores I am overwhelmed with the anticipatory happiness of becoming a college student.

Attending college as a formally homeschooled student is something else…the hoops I have to jump through to simply retrieve my official ACT scores is surprising although I do think the fact that I took the test 10 years ago does have something to do with it.

I feel as though I am a freshly turned 18 year old high school graduate instead of an almost 28 year old grown human. I feel like a fish out of water as they say. I knew this would happen to an extent and I was kind of looking forward to it. (I still am) However it is hard to control the stress that is pinching my lungs and crushing my chest.

I know I am capable of doing everything and anything that is required of me to accomplish this goal but I am definitely feeling the pressure.

I am determined, as previously stated, to make this dream/goal a reality.

For anyone who is currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling their children especially for high school, please please I beg of you do your research and have the knowledge of how college works with homeschooling and how to assist your child in the pursuit of a college experience. If you do not have the knowledge please be willing to educate yourself on all the ins and outs. Be willing to do the work so that your child can lean on you.

As I do this with little assistance I think back to 2015 when I was first considering attending college and instead of getting the help and assistance I needed I was left to my own devices and expected to figure it out on my own. I was too naive to know how it all worked and was unaware of who to go to for assistance.

To be clear I am not putting all the blame on other people because I am aware I am to blame as well. What I am saying is as a parent you have a duty to do EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you can to assist your child in any pursuit they desire. Whether that is college or a job or traveling or any other number of things. It is your job to guide, assist and mentor them so that they have strong legs to stand on as they enter society.