Walking

No not walking down the street, but walking to accept my diploma. I heard the other day that a bachelor's degree is nothing anymore and I need to go for my master's. Maybe I do need to go for my master's but I beg to differ that a bachelor's is nothing. That BSN that I earned took commitment and hard work. It meant putting things aside, getting up at 5 AM every day and working at the computer until I had to go to work and then going back to the computer when I got home. It meant passing up girls' nite outs with my friends because I had an assignment due, schlepping a computer everywhere, and putting my life on hold for over 2 years. To me, the work and commitment was something big. I am proud of what I achieved. As the first in my family to do it, I am very proud. I just wish I had done it sooner.
So I am going to celebrate my achievement. I am walking in Orlando in September and my sisters and other family members and friends are coming to celebrate with me. I am so proud that they think enough of me to come as far as they are coming to join me. Their presence is a great gift.
So, to anyone who thinks a BSN is nothing, you are so wrong. It means a person is willing to commit, to work, and to do more than they need to do to get by....And that says a lot.

High School Diploma for Grandma

I thought I was something getting my bachelor's but a friend beat me by a mile. After years of trying and 4 failed attempts she finally got her high school diploma. Now I am sure some cynical folks might laugh about the 4 attempts but I am in awe. Most people wouldn't have stuck it out and tried again. Most would have given up but she didn't. Compared to her, my accomplishment is small. Her motivation, and accomplishment, humbles me.
Her motivation was her grandchildren. She told me she didn't want them to think she's stupid. I don't think they will. I think they'll see their grandma as someone who'll keep trying when she wants something even when the odds are stacked against her. I keep seeing the smile on her face when she told me about it. She is so proud of her accomplishment and I am proud for her.

Double checking Everything

I am down to the last two classes for my BSN (that's Bachelor's of Science, Nursing for all you non-nursing folks out there). Had an A going on in my last class and screwed up. I did my final presentation, put lots of research and hours into it, then I did the unthinkable. I sent my rough draft instead of the final. No one to blame but myself. Got no credit for it. I can send it in for feedback but it won't bring my grade up a letter so I get a B. Not that a B is bad, it's not, but I had an A.
So, what is the lesson from this?
1) Double check what you send in. Pull it up and look it over. Don't be in such a hurry to be done that you don't look twice.
2) Do all your work throughout the whole class. Never rely on the final to bring up your grade. What if you get sick or the computer goes down? These things really do happen. I was pulling an A and came down to a B. If I was holding a B or C, well, enough said.
3) Mark your rough drafts as rough drafts when you save them. Make them look different than the final so you don't do what I did.

Now, go forth and do your homework! Show everyone how it's done!