College
by coie - August 29th, 2007.Filed under: Uncategorized.
Stephanie in
Throughout my highschool years (2 years, since I graduated early), I never really took my schooling seriously. I mean, who cares what my grades were, right? I would ask my dad, "What good is geometry? I’m NEVER going to use it." I had always planned (and still do) to be a wife and mother when I grew up. The only reason I would need to know geometry is to teach it to my kids. As I look back now, I cringe. I need those good grades now, and all I have is mediocre ones.
Right now I have a job because my family needs me to work. My dad is working two jobs and we still struggle to pay our bills. Yet God is faithful; my dad is the most faithful man and hardest worker I know and he is willing to do whatever it takes during this (hopefully) short term transition. We are blessed beyond measure.
Now I am looking in to becoming an RN. Yes, now that we have no money. I’ve come to realize that had I listened to my dad 2 years ago and started taking ANY colleges courses while we had money, I would have a higher paying job right now, and my dad would not have to (literally) work day and night to support our family. We have done some research and found out that if I work at the local hospital here in town, they will pay $1000 towards my college tuition per year, and pay me more than what I am making now. Additionally, it is 30 minutes closer to my home, and has a steady schedule.
Becoming an RN is practical in more than one way. First, if I am ever in a position that I need to work, an RN makes some good money. Secondly, it will come in great when one of my future 10-15 kids gashes his head open (it’s bound to happen, right?). Third, I want to be a missionary wife. Being a nurse is a great way to minister to others, gain their trust, and would probably greatly assist me in getting a visa/passport/whatever they’re called. A nurse can help in any part of the world, and what better for a missionary to have a full time nurse to help him? And no, presently I don’t know any young men who are missionaries or who are planning to become missionaries. Nor am I looking for one.
As far as college goes, I will still live at home and take courses from the 2 year college down the street (ok, so it is more like down the street, and then through a tangle of roads with pot holes, onto the highway and THEN across the street). I think it would be unwise for me to go off to college and not be under the authority of my parents….and besides that, they need me at home right now. 😀
So yes, I think that getting a college education is a grand idea, but I think that it should be something practical, which you can use to serve God and your family. I also think that you should stay under the authority of your parents until you are married, and then you are under the authority of your husband. I wish that I had started taking online classes two years ago. I wish that I had been prepared to help my family better. But I can’t go back, so I might as well get a move on now. 🙂
August 29th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
re: College
Thank you for your quick response, Coie. For me, however, I definitely want to get out and "spread my own wings." Traveling, seeing the world, and experiencing other cultures sound wonderful; I could become a teacher in impoverished nations! Good luck with the RN route.
-Stephanie
August 29th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
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Coie,
You are such a blessing to your parents! I pray that my children grow up to be as caring and responsible as you are!
God Bless,
Michelle W
August 29th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
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I am so proud of you, Coie. It's better to have come to this conclusion now when can really appreciate it and have some resolve, than to halfheartedly done it before.
I love your reasons for wanting to be an RN. You are absolutely correct in the many ways it can be a blessing to those around you– and to well <i>you</i> as well. Ummm… my <i>history</i> degree is not really coming in handy in my role as a wife and mother. I often think about how awesome it would be to have some practical medical skills… especially in the mission field (whether that be in my hometown or on another continent!).
And AMEN to your comment on being under the different umbrellas of authority. It takes some women years and years to come to that wise conclusion (and often looking back with regret)… and some never do. You are definitely ahead of the game!
Marsha
PS Have you looked into grants and other types of financial aid for your college?
August 29th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
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Oh, bless you! I'm going to send all the young ladies I know to read your blog! I got my BS in Finance many years ago, and though I married and stayed home with my kids for 23 years, I've never regretted being educated. And Ben says he's glad I have a good base of knowledge – makes it easier to talk about anything. At some point I might go out to work again, after all the chitlins are gone, and I'll be glad I have that degree then. AND. . . my son-in-law has just started college at age 22. He's starting with remedial math and English, and his long-term plan is to wind up at Auburn. And furthermore, my dear Ben didn't start college until age 30, started with remedial math and English, and after ten years of working full time and going to school at night, he had his Master's Degree. It can be done and it's very worthwhile. Praying for your great success! Karen
August 29th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
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I totally agree. The only college we have around here is a communtity college, but I don't need to attend a college for many of the things I want to do. Writing, for instance.
Good luck on becoming a RN. I think it is a wonderful idea.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
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Dear Coie-
You are a wise girl. Thank you for sharing. I think the Lord calls each individual into different callings for His purpose.. may you always be so serving to His calling for you.
Blessings,
Mrs R
August 30th, 2007 at 9:58 am
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Funny hpw you're wanting to be an RN. I've been thinking a lot about becoming one myself.
For a while I've been thinking about what I want to do after I graduate next school year. I knew I wanted to take some college courses but I didn't know which ones. Then a couple of weeks ago, it hit me. A nurse!
So that's what I'm thinking of doing.:)
L8er!
Sami
August 30th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
WOWZA!!
You are a wise and wonderful woman!!! I see Christ in you soooo much!!! Thank you for your heart and for your willingness to serve and bless your family sooo willingly and sooo joyfully!! You are a blessing!
Much love!:)
Mrs. J:)
August 30th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
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Also, I know of a few homeschooling moms with a bunch of kiddos who still do a shift or 2 a week to keep things afloat financially. I told my niece its a good choice–she said she couldn't handle hospitals tho. oh well!
You're a great daughter, Coie. I'm sorry your family is struggling.
August 31st, 2007 at 8:22 am
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Hey! Sorry its been 4ever since we last talked. I think you'll make a great RN you have such a great and bright smile but not only that you have beautiful heart too. Look at you your going on 19 and instead of working for selfish reasons your trying to help your family with bills. I can't even think about how greatful your parents are. The person you marry better priceless to even be close to be worthy of your heart.
I wish the best to you and your family.
shaiya
August 31st, 2007 at 11:47 am
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You've brought tears to my eyes… I'm proud of your post and pray that my girls will have the same thoughts someday.
Bless you and your future,
Amy
August 31st, 2007 at 12:01 pm
What a gal!
Ah, Coie! You really do have a great family! And I am positive that you will get good grades in college! I respect your decision about doing a correspondence college–your family is the best earthly support you can have!
I love you!
Mariel
P.S. Sorry I haven't visited in a while–but it's nice to have three entries to read! And my blog……chagrin.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:02 pm
P.S.
What is an RN?
Thank you!
Mariel
September 1st, 2007 at 2:26 pm
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Wow! It sounds like you won't have any problems filling those 12 hours a day if you're working and going to school. In fact, you may find that you have a hard time getting in your hours of free time. I think it's great though that you want to be an RN. ( A RN or AN RN?) Anyways, I pray that God will lead you and protect you, as well as grant you patience and energy. : )
One thing though, will you be able to handle the medical stuff without feeling faint again? I had an incident once where I fainted while someone was describing something medical, and I found that it took me a good 6 months to get over feeling woozy whenever people mentioned anything of that nature. I hope that's not the case for you.
God Bless!
Heather P.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
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I'm proud of you! Your uncle and I have the same philosophy on college as you do: very good to do IF you have a specific and useful purpose in mind. It cracks me up these kids who head off to college on mommy and daddy's dime not having a CLUE of what they want to do or be.. 4 years and 60 grand later, they decide they want to switch their already unsure major to something else that could be more "fun"..
you are still way young. Co, i'm 23 and this January, I'm going back to school to get my culinary arts degree so I can be an awesome chef for my family, head up various meals ministries, later teach cooking and housekeeping skills to young women in our huge church and possibly, after all my non-existant kids are gone, be an executive chef at a restaurant- maybe even my OWN restaurant.. who knows (dream'n big here, i know)! but I am convinced that to do it now rather than later is SMART. God will use that, as well as bless you- spiritually and financially- for using wisdom and the brain He gave you…
ok, i'll stop talking now. love you!
September 5th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
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Awesome post! Tremendous insight!
I'm tired of the new/old wave of "I'll just hang out at home until I marry" when an education in nursing (among others) will only be a benefit to your future family.
Your post was such a blessing!
And it reminded me of a part in "Sense and Sensibility":
Elinor Dashwood:
You talk of feeling idle and useless.
Imagine how that is compounded when one has no hope,
no choice of any occupation whatsoever.
Edward Ferrars:
Our circumstances are therefore precisely the same.
Elinor Dashwood:
Except that you will inherit your fortune.
We cannot even earn ours.
You will truly be a helpmeet to your future husband!
September 9th, 2007 at 3:57 am
Hi there
I'm coming in late on this but I wanted to say feel free to email me if you have any questions. I am an RN and have not regretted that college choice. I lived at home too while I got my degree (actually I married my darling hubby while still in nursing school!) I worked for a few years, then stayed home once we started having kids. My second son had severe respiratory problems as an infant–I was so grateful to have the training to deal with it at home as much as possible (he was still hospitalized several times) and not freak out about it. It has now been 15 years since I quit working as a nurse and honestly, I do see myself going back some day. I loved caring for patients. I have dreamed of going on one of those Mercy Ships. There are so many ways a nursing degree can be used, even if it's just helping your highschooler with biology dissections and not getting grossed out! 🙂
Be encouraged and keep praying–that is awesome! My 11 yo daughter and I already talk about this. Whether or not to go on for 'higher education' and what would be a family friendly field to pursue. I know some nurses who do a shift once a week to help out with finances. I've always known in the back of my mind that if I needed to help out our family, I have the ability to make some sweet moolah if need be. 🙂
sorry this got so long!!
God bless!
Jen in CA