If you told me three years ago I would be in college with a 4-month-old daughter, I would think you were crazy. But that’s my life now. I always talk about being a mom in my classes, and I’m sure some people think it’s weird, but, in reality, I’m reminding myself who I’m doing this for: my family.
It was lonely at first — I couldn’t participate in the activities I enjoyed, I lost my friends, and I dropped out of college. Not to mention how many times I heard “Your life is ruined,” or “Good luck going back to school.”
Well, here I am. Reminding myself of those hurtful comments gives me the strength and confidence to prove them wrong. My life isn’t over; it’s just simply different.
I had to leave Iowa State last spring, and it was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. However, it was one of the biggest learning experiences of my life. I learned that I took advantage of the education I was receiving. I wasn’t regularly attending classes, I wasn’t putting in the effort, and I used ChatGPT to do my homework. While I was out of school, I missed it. I missed being around people my age and learning new things, and there are so many things I would have done differently. And that’s exactly what I want to do at DMACC: learn from my mistakes at ISU.
Having a baby makes attending classes challenging. First, I don’t get a full night’s rest, and then in the morning, I need to make sure I have someone to take care of her. Most of the time, I come home and multitask, doing homework while holding her or feeding her. But I do try my best to surround myself with positivity and continue to live my life as more than “just a mom.”
For me, an average day starts around 3 or 4 a.m. when Harper wakes up for a bottle. Although recently it’s been between 5 and 7 a.m., which is exciting that she’s starting to sleep through the night! But then, I go back to sleep for as long as I can. I have class on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10, then I go to the Campus Chronicle, where I get to socialize with a group of other students who are welcoming of everyone. On the days I don’t have class, I work at Sonic during the day, and I come home to work on my schoolwork for a little bit.
I’ve learned how to be more responsible and to appreciate my education more. I’m constantly having to multitask and plan out my schedule, so I make sure to pencil in room to work on my assignments. Swallowing my pride is something I’ve had to overcome by asking for help. It’s not always easy, but my family and I need it. No matter what comes my way, I’m proud of the person I’m becoming.
Comments