Things Will Be Different This Time

My summer has flown by…I can tell school is getting close because I'm starting to get into panic mode. I know, summer is just getting started for most people, but I'm taking a class in Summer II, so mine is coming to a close. It's been a nice break, and a part of me hates to see it end, but part of me is glad to get back to class. Each semester brings me one step closer to my goal of becoming a dental hygienist.


I'm not as freaked out as I was before I started the spring semester, which was my first semester back in college in 10 years. I know more of what to expect this time. But nonetheless, I'm freaking out a little. I'm getting my note pages printed off the class website, getting my books and student ID and Scan-Tron forms together, and trying to make sure the house isn't too chaotic (even though I know it will be total chaos by finals week).

One thing that's different about this is semester is that I already know what I'll miss the most…I'll miss the time with my kids. Once school starts, I'll be working, in class, or studying pretty much 24/7. If I'm not at work or in class, my nose will be buried in my notes or my books. Even though, in the long run, I'm doing this so I can make more money while working fewer hours and having more time for my kids, in the short term, it's hard for all of us. It's hard for Robby, who shoulders a lot of extra responsibility while school consumes my time. It's hard for the kids, who don't get to see me as much they're used to. It's hard for me to juggle it all, including the guilt I know will be inevitable.

But another thing that's different about this semester is that I know I'll make it. Will it be hard? Yes. Will I feel like I'm drowning sometimes? Absolutely. Will I question my sanity? Often. But I'll make it. We'll make it. The kids will study while I study. They'll see that education and hard work are important to me and to our family. They'll see that reaching your goals takes sacrifice. We'll all learn a lot of lessons, and I think the most important ones have nothing to do with the classes I'm getting credits for…we'll learn the most important ones as we juggle this crazy life together, as a family. I'm so grateful to have them with me on this crazy journey through life.