My son accomplished his goal during his days off of college.
By margeryann
@margeryann (1845)
United States
July 13, 2011 4:38pm CST
My son goes to college online. The whole time he has being going to college he hasn't had any days off except 2 weeks off for Christmas.I was thinking that he was getting burned out. I told him that if he wanted he should ask his school as soon as he got his Associates Degree if he could have some time off .He asked his college if he could and he got around a month and a half off. His grandparents were real happy because they invited him to go out of state with them to my step- dads family.My step-dad and mom do that every year.He was able to do that since he took a break from school.They decided to make a many vacation out of it too.Him and his grandparents had a lot of quality time together doing that. They had a lot of fun.
He didn't have a drivers license so every time is grandpa had to go somewhere he drove him around so he could learn to get his license.I was hoping he would have his license before he went back to college so he could drive to student teach and field work. He is trying to be a teacher.
Today he took his drivers test and he past it so he is very excited about that.So, the goal to have his license before he went back to college happened.
He told me that some of his grandpa's aunt that my son met before said that she would like for him to come every year because she would enjoy to see him. She is getting real old and he doesn't know how long he will be able to see her. He said that he is going to try to have a break next summer too.
3 people like this
8 responses
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
14 Jul 11
That is great accomplishment. I feel happy for him, because I remember when I got my license. I was going crazy. I said finally, I can drive now. But it's good that he gets time to spend with his grandparents. And that going to college online, that sound real interesting. I have thought about going back to school but I never got around to it, and besides, it costs too much for me right now. So I will stick to the only school I know, life.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Jul 11
Have you applied for financial aid? What level of education did you want to go for? I have completed a number of degrees through online education and I didn't get my first bachelor's degree until I was 36. I am currently working on a master's degree online. Of course with the things going on in the government right now, there is no guarantee that financial aid will be available in the future. Good luck!!!
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
15 Jul 11
My son is pretty excited about having his license now he can go places without us having to take him except some places he doesn't know how to get too. He will have to drive with someone to those places until he can figure out how to get there on his own.My son and I couldn't afford him to go to college either.Financial aid and student loans are paying for his college or he wouldn't be able to go. The student loans don't have to be paid back for 6 months after he gets his degree.If we could afford it but we can't we would pay payments while he was going to college then there would be less owed because no interest now but there will be when he graduates.
Thank your experiences and thoughts.
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
13 Jul 11
I've been thinking that I might possibly take some college courses online, but I'm not sure how it works. Does he really have to do it every day, or a few days a week? Good for him for getting his driver's license, I am going for my test in August and I'm kind of nervous because I already failed it two months ago. But I have a whole month to practice, though I feel like a slow learner because I have been having so much trouble with my turns, they're always either too slow or too fast.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Jul 11
I have been doing online courses since 2005 (not continuously, but three different degree programs). There are requirements like you have to log in and post on at least two different days during the week. Assignments do have deadlines for when they need to be completed, but as long as you get things done on time, you should be ok. There was one week that I was sick I only logged in once so I was considered absent for the week, but I didn't miss any other weeks. I find it a lot easier than having to sit in a classroom and having to find parking and all that stuff. Have a great week!!!
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
15 Jul 11
I guess all online college requirements are different. He goes to the university of Phoenix and he has to log in at least 4 times a week to do 2 different replies each of those 4 days to someones discussion question that everyone answers for the week. Everything else that daeckardt says is what his school requires too.
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
25 Jul 11
That is good that he was able to visit with family and glad that he enjoyed his time that he was able to spend with them. Also very exciting News that he was able to get his drivers license. With being an intern, etc. and wanting to be a teacher that is very important thing to have. Sounds like things are going well for him, and wishing him the Best from here.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
25 Jul 11
You're right.That is why I wanted him to get his drivers license before going back to school so he can drive himself to student teaching.That is one of the reasons why he went to an online college is because of not having his drivers license yet but even if he did he probably would have problems knowing how to get places. Thank you very much for your nice words. You have a wonderful week!
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Jul 11
I'm glad your son was able to get time off so he could visit and have a break from school. It's also great that he was able to get his license. I think it is a good idea for him to try to schedule time off between classes so that he doesn't burn out. I know when one class starts as soon as one ends I get really tired after two or three classes. My classes are only 6 weeks long, but it is still nice to have a break every 2-3 months. My next class is scheduled to start right after the current one ends, but since I'm not in treatment any more I am hoping that I won't need a break as much as I did before.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
15 Jul 11
I am working on a master of education with emphasis on English language learners. It goes hand in hand with my desire to teach English as a second language whether it be in China or somewhere else. I don't think I will try to teach kids though because I can't deal with their noise level. Maybe one-on-one tutoring, but not in classes full of kids. Right now, I am just tired, but other than that and shortness of breath I feel fine. I see an "interventional radiologist" on Monday to see if they can drain the cyst they found on my bladder on the CT scan. If not, then they will have to find some alternative way to take care of the problem. Hopefully getting that taken care of will help with the tiredness and shortness of breath. I will have to wait and see. Have a great day!!!
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
16 Jul 11
That sounds like a good choice for a job. A lot of people would like to know English. It would be hard too learning all of their languages so you can teach them English. It sounds like you are real smart.
It would be easier teaching adults instead of kids because of the adults wanting to learn more so.
Hopefully they do get you to feeling better soon and can get rid of that cyst quickly.
You have a great day too and thank you for replying back to me!
1 person likes this
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
15 Jul 11
His classes last 9 weeks and he starts another class the next day after that 9 weeks is over just like you.He is going to ask for more time off now that he knows they will give it to him if he asks.What are you majoring in? He is majoring in being a elementary teacher.Hopefully you can handle your schooling better that your treatments are over. I hope that you are feeling good.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
15 Jul 11
Good for your son. I'm surprised he waited that long to get his license. Both my son were chomping at the bits at 16 to get theirs, lol.It's always great to reach a goal. I think it's good that people set goals. As old as i am i still set them. Doesn't amount to any biggies but try to achieve something in the house to do every day. Have a good weekend.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
16 Jul 11
I don't have my license to teach him and my husband is busy with work. I asked his grandpa since he is retired if he would be okay to do it and he said yes.He took drivers ed since it was required to get a license when he was younger but since it is required the drivers ed wasn't very good. They only took him out driving 3 different times for 30 minute drives and the rest was classroom time and they charged close to $400 for that which was a rip off to me.
He didn't learn how to drive at all from that.
I'm like you I like setting goals with housework too so I can get more done around the house. It is hard to get things done without doing that. You have a good weekend too and thank you for commenting and sharing your experience.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
16 Jul 11
Hi margeryann! I think everyone needs a break now and then. It is easy to get burnt out and those grandparents are very important. Sounds like to me that he is still getting alot accomplished on his break. I bet he will do even better than he was before once he goes back.
Take care!
1 person likes this
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
16 Jul 11
Hi Jen!He did get a lot accomplished and is still getting to do somethings that he has been too busy to do. He is staying the weekend at his brothers to spend sometime with his brother,his brother's wife and his nieces.He got a lot of quality time with his grandparents he really enjoyed that. I didn't get to spend anytime with mine when they were a live so that is good. You never know how long you have with family members to get to enjoy them.Thank you for commenting and you take care too!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
14 Jul 11
Congrats to him on his accomplishment.
That sounds like a great way to spend a break!
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
15 Jul 11
Thank you for your congrats.He is pretty excited that he can go places without having to have us take him except to places that he can't figure out how to get there.You have a good week!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
14 Jul 11
Hi margeryann
This is wonderful and great that he took a break and accomplished a few things in his life as he did. Congrats on him getting his license and hope he does continue to take the necessary breaks. This will allow him to take a few breathers and be refreshed as he returns back to his routine.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
15 Jul 11
hardworkinggurl,
He is going to try to request more breaks this time. He was really getting wore out before. He will be having even more to do this time because while he is going to college to try to get his bachelors he will also have to study for teacher state tests and take them while having to do his college work at the same time,student teaching and other things like that.
Thank you for commenting and have a good week.
