Back to school with friends at my side

I have an amazing support network that is built atop decades of tried, tested and true friendships. My friendships are more than friendships, we are family. No matter which circle of friends I find myself spending time with, I am family to them and they are family for me. They accept and love me for me despite my struggles with bipolar disorder, they support the challenges I throw my hat toward, and challenge me when they believe I am making choices that are likely to lead to personal, emotional, or financial disaster. They are my rational voice when I am floating in a world of fantasy and desires. They are the ropes that tether me to reality. They are the most important tool in my belt.

Entering into the world of adult, online, secondary school is a scary thing. I have been talking for three years about going back to school, getting a degree that would allow me to have the confidence to walk into an interview and be able to say, it is true I have not held a steady job in 13 years, however, here is how you know I won’t up and quit on you…

My friends have pride in me and the fact that I have stepped forward, off of the I-think-I-am-going-to-go-back-to-school platform and on to the I-am-back-in-school train. Their pride in me helps me to feel the pride in myself as well as giving me the motivation at times of weakness to continue forth. They understand why I have to study. They know what is at stake for me whether I succeed or whether I fail. I have friends who have offered for me to stay in their home rent-free while I concentrate on my studies because they know how difficult it is to juggle major life events. I have another friend who is excited to put her professional network into action to help me land my dream job after graduation.