Update

Time is really flying. I've thought about blogging several times in the past month, but I'm constantly distracted by the urgent need to study all the things all the time.

So far, things are going well. 6 exams are finished..... 800 more to go.

When people ask me how I'm doing in PA school, they ask with genuine concern and excitement to hear all about it. On the days that I'm exhausted from the rigors of the program, I smile weakly and say that I'm surviving, and that things will get better with time. On the days that my spirits are lifted by seeing decent exam scores, I'll still smile and say that PA school is really hard, but it's going to be OK. Maybe people are expecting me to talk about all of the really cool things that I'm learning, but I honestly don't have the brain power to do it most days. And more importantly, I truly want to know what else is going on in the world, since I'm clearly missing the majority of it.

On a different note, I'm really proud and grateful to be where I am. I'm proud to set the example for my kid that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. I'm also grateful for the knowledge that comes with higher education, so that I can better guide my children when they start to make their educational and career choices. Growing up, I frequently heard adults say that a community college is as good as a major university regarding basic courses. While that statement may be true to some degree, it's not rooted in fact, and it's not an absolute. Now that I am among my peers, it is obvious that I did not fully develop the study skills that they have to withstand the rigors of this program. Is that a deal breaker for me? No. But, it takes me longer to master the material. I don't feel victimized or disadvantaged in any way by my undergraduate education. If anything, I'm grateful to know both sides of the coin. But when my kids are prepping for college, I'll be looking closely at the math and science department of those Universities.