A GeekMom’s View of Going Back to College

The trials and tribulations of going back to college while trying to juggle home and family.

I got laid off from my job the day before I was suppose to return to work after maternity leave. This was in December 2008 when the economy had gone right into the toilet.

After trying to find a job for six months, sending out hundreds of applications and only getting one interview, my husband and I decided we were both going to go back to school.

Now I do have a college degree. I have my Bachelors of Science in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University. But it doesn’t do me a lot of good as far as jobs go, so off I went to my local community college to pursue a diploma in Medical Office Administration.

Community college has been interesting in compared to my years at a four-year university. For one, it is really hard to get all the classes I need to take done in a timely manner because they only offer certain classes once or twice a year.

And now that I’m a mom it makes scheduling all that much more difficult. Thankfully my husband works nights so we can usually play and win at “schedule Tetris” to makes things work so we don’t need a babysitter.

Now I’m almost done. I’m taking two classes this summer and then I only need one more in the fall before I can graduate. And I’m so ready to be done. Most of my classes involve learning computer skills I already have, so it makes it very dull.

I do have to wonder if my geek-hood has helped me out in college. In both of my classes this semester I’ve helped out fellow students who were struggling with what I thought were basic computer programs and at one point I had to help the teacher out!

While I’m glad I decided to go back to college, especially if it leads to me getting a good job, I am ready to be done. College was much more enjoyable the first time around when I didn’t have responsibilities like husband and toddler.