Waaaaay back in 2000, I was a young, naive dancer with hopes for the world. I was enrolled at Grant MacEwan in their 2-year dance program with plans to transfer to the University of Calgary’s Kinesiology degree after. _uacct = “UA-4888259-1″;urchinTracker();
Two weeks into the course, I withdrew. It was waaaaaaay too modern-dance for my small-town, low-self-esteem, 19-year-old ego to handle. I was terrified. I got a job at Chapters, taught dance in the evenings and went to the Edmonton School of Ballet. 2 years later, I reapplied to the Faculty of Science, got accepted, opened my own dance studio, declined my BSc and continued dancing at ESB.
Three years after that, I closed my studio and went to NAIT. I graduated from the Personal Fitness Trainer diploma program with Honours and was class valedictorian. I chose that route over a Bachelor of Physical Education because a) I didn’t want to spend 4 years in school and b) the NAIT programs was very focused and intense – no need for meaningless, well-rounded Arts options and the like (i.e., wasted tuition dollars).
Then I had my twins. And life became very family-focused. I finally had the chance to relaunch my career in the past year, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. But it’s left me wanting more. I want that degree that I never got to when I started out in 2000. I want that BSc Kin because I crave anatomical and biomechanical knowledge like some kind of junkie.
I’m up late reading textbooks, for goodness’ sake!!
I need to go back to school. I already have a good dayhome. My fall teaching schedule would actually allow it, as long as I had someone else teach my Devon and Stony Plain classes… The only problem is money.
Ha. Isn’t money always the problem??
We’re looking at $10,000 a year for tuition/books/fees/etc., plus another $1200/m for day home, plus you know, the extra money I bring in for our lifestyle.
I surely don’t have that in my bank account. The last thing I want is a $60,000 loan after 4 years of hard work (3 years, if I studied through the summers…). We just got out of that kind of debt.
I guess I’m looking for answers. For someone to reach out and say, “Hey! Here’s a great idea/resource that will help you fund your education as a mature student without being indebted for the rest of your adult life.”
Any ideas on how to scratch this learning itch?
My only suggestion would be to do the classes slower. Instead of accelerating your 4 year degree into 3, stretch it out longer so you are not hit with $10,000 all at once. If you could come up with the $ for one class at a time could you take them over more years? My aunt did that with her RN degree. Took more years of hard work but was more economical than being out of work and paying that kind of money all at once. Also, she had 4 kids at the time!
I agree with Michelle – It's going to take me 4 years to get my ELCC Diploma – a 2 year course. BUT, I paid each course as I went. That made it easy to budget, I was still able to work and contribute to the family income, AND, I didn't lose my mind trying to be the PERFECT mom and the PERFECT wife and the PERFECT student. I would have imploded.
Good luck to you!
Therein lies the problem: this needs to be done full-time, day-time only. I have credit for 2 courses already, and perhaps a couple others from my one year of BA studies…hence being able to do it in 3 years instead of 4. No part-time delivery for this option