Associates Degree & More

[hinds_feet]

Given who I used to be, a straight-A student, overachiever in several clubs and sports, lots of academic honors, taking 6.5 years to finish my Associates seems a bit out of character! In my first semester of 4 year college, I realized that I had a huge amount of personal work to do still, so I went back to my local community college, enrolled part-time, and focused mostly on therapy and healing. What was more important to me than any degree or career ever would be was learning how to have healthy relationships, and being the kind of person that a healthy person would marry.

Just because we have PTSD doesn't mean we can't have healthy relationships! That's a success in and of itself (the healthy relationship I have with my fiance). But last year, I finally found myself ready to finish my Associates and focus more on school. I also started working as a rape victim advocate and teaching child assault prevention education to elementary students. It's been a lot of successes! I also sent my abuser a letter of forgiveness. And now, after all that, after my wedding in June, my fiance and I are getting the heck out of dodge and moving several states away from our crazy families to start living a new life full of goodness, compassion, and lots and lots of respect!

 

[WSQ]

Congratulations on getting your associate degree and getting engaged! I am going through a similar situation as you are I am currently on my senior year finishing up my bachelor's degree, and it took me way more than four years to try and finish it. All of my friends from my graduation class when I first went to college have graduated a few years ago and now all there is left is me, but that doesn't stop me. I kept on going even though I went through so much pain through my traumas, I kept on going.

I am amazed and applaud you for being able to forgive your abuser. I have a lot of respect for you to be able to do something like that. Right now I can't bring myself to forgive my abuser, but I do find peace in no longer living in the same city as him and being able to try and move on with my life.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Congratulations. That's great to hear. :)

 

[ronin47]

That's great to hear. I was pretty depressed when I realized I wasn't going to be able to finish my B.A. in four years, but I'm sure there are upsides to having a longer undergraduate career, even if I can't see them. Kudos for your success and I'm confident you're going to have a great life.

 

[ms spock]

Congratulations on all your successes!

 

[claudetteaguero]

Congrats

 

[gio_marino]

Congrats... Really cool, getting mine this summer (and itll be 7 years :)) and I am going to try my hardest to stick with it this time.

 

[LaurieJ]

Congratulations on all of your accomplishments in particular on creating your own life.