Convocation 2018- I'm Officially Done University!

Yesterday was a big day for me, it was when I officially received my Bachelor of Education from the University of Lethbridge. You would think that a second degree wouldn’t feel as momentous as your first, but it absolutely does! Especially in my case when this was the degree I’ve always wanted.

If you follow me on social media, I summed up how it felt pretty well.

“I recently pulled out a list I made in grade 12 of the ‘50 Things to Do Before I Die.’ Up at the top of the list was ‘Become a PE teacher’ and today I took one more step toward that life goal.

The Education program was tougher than I ever imagined but it helped me learn to be more flexible, to tackle things one at a time, and that I am capable of handling so much more than I thought.

It’s never too late to pursue what feels right to you!

And I have to give a huge shout out to my incredible husband Ryan for helping me pursue my dream these last three years!”

When I attended Central Washington University it was with the intention of getting my degree in Physical Education. But when I told my family members and even past teachers I they responded “You’re too smart to be teacher.” “Go into business where you can make some money.” Being only 18, I thought the adults knew better, so I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a minor in Political Science.

In the ten years after earning my degree I was bouncing around jobs every 1-2 years. I was unhappy and unfulfilled. I hated being stuck at a desk all day. I always work hard at whatever I’m doing and I did well in my field, but I wasn’t happy.

I fell into that trap that everyone does. Making excuses. I would talk about how much I wanted to go back to school but I had a mortgage and student loans; we were going to start a family, the excuses went on.

But then one day I snapped. I recall it very clearly. We had tried to have a baby for two years and I had just went through a unsuccessful IUI (interuterine insemination). The strain of infertility had gotten to me and I locked the door to my office and bawled on the floor under my desk. My future felt so bleak, no kids and a career I didn’t love. That was the kick in the pants I needed though.

I decided that day to stop focusing so much on trying to get pregnant and move my focus to making my PE teacher dreams a reality. I decided to get my degree and then do IVF to have a family.

Once I made up my mind, everything fell into place.

I applied for the University of Lethbridge even though I knew we couldn’t afford our mortgage on just Ryan’s salary. After applying, a friend listed her cute little two bedroom home and I knew it would be perfect for us while I attended school. But I didn’t think we could sell our large family home in time. What do you know? A few days later a realtor knocked on our door with a buyer! It was fate! We downsized into a much smaller, much more affordable home.

I also found the perfect part time job on campus working for the Wellness Coordinator where I put my marketing skills and passion for healthy living to good work.

The next three years weren’t easy, the Education program was much harder than I expected and it changed me for the better. It helped me learn how to stop worrying too much about the future and focus on things on a daily basis. This was something I’ve struggled with most of my life. It taught me to be more flexible when things don’t go according to plan and how to go with the flow more.

I do wonder if it was this mind shift that helped me to unexpectedly get pregnant or not. But getting pregnant in my last semester of school has made me a believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason.

YOU ARE NEVER STUCK!

These past three years have taught me that you can do anything if you truly make up your mind to do it. Take a few steps in the direction you want to go, and the rest will begin to fall into place.

Don’t settle in life, make your life into what you want!

THANK YOU RYAN!

And I cannot thank my husband Ryan enough for his love and support during all this! He took on the burden of being financially responsible for our family. He put up with a chronic messy house and a chronic stressed out wife. But even in my most stressed moments he was there with supportive words and a kiss.