Good Afternoon My Friends!
It is a beautiful Friday afternoon here at The Living Plan. I’m taking the weekend off to enjoy the weather and some of the beautiful nature surrounding my area. I am however, excited to share my conversation with our very special guest, Brenda McGill. We had a rather extensive conversation which flew by in a blink. We both were surprised how long we had been chatting. All in all it was the highlight of my week. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Blu:
Hello Brenda, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Brenda:
Mostly family engagements, I love spending time with the grandkids. We had a mixed socks date. Then I did a little research on high impact online course creation. It’s an area of interest.
Blu:
Wait, did you say a mixed sock date? Oh you need to explain that one Brenda cause I’m all about fun dates and I don’t want to be left out. What is that and how does it work?
Brenda:
It is an international annual activity to raise awareness and get people talking about those affected by Down syndrome. We were supporting my grandson. It occurs on March 21st. The date represents the full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. So, three copies of chromosome 21 translates to 3/21.
If anyone wishes to learn more about Down syndrome, check out – Down Syndrome International at worlddownsyndromeday.org
they have an excellent ‘In Their Own Words’ video.
We had fun talking about differences and similarities, so we did it again!
Blu:
Oh that sounds like so much fun. I will check it out! I love the idea and I think I want to have one of those right away. It's is so important and fun to talk about things that can be similar but different too. Yup, I’m gonna send out little sock invites! It’s gonna be so much fun.. Watch your email Brenda you might get one too! (lol)
So before we jump in, let me just say that I didn’t miss what you said you were researching! Just because you got me with the sock party doesn't mean I missed that tidbit... I made a note to myself and I will add it to one of my later pestering’s of you. I won’t forget Brenda, I promise!!!
Ok, it’s time to get back to business and I have another one of those 'out there' kind of questions. Are you ready Brenda?
Brenda:
Yes, let’s get to it.
Blu:
Brenda, is education more of an excursion or an expedition?
Brenda:
Good question!
For many, education is usually an expedition, defined as a long journey that has a specific educational purpose, such as completing a certificate or degree.
For many others, it is an excursion, a short journey for pleasure; such as taking a course for interest, perhaps, painting, intro to computers, or poetry writing. The main difference is usually the purpose and duration of the journey.
Blu:
But an excursion could lead to a desire for an expedition. Say I took a class on child development and suddenly realized I may want to teach. Do you feel my excursion was enough to prepare me for an expedition, in reality?
Brenda:
Certainly, one never knows when a passing interest will turn into a life mission.
Blu:
Last week we chatted about Covid19 and you gave us some positives to think about. This week I wanted to talk about getting back on the learning road. You have experience with the Educational start and stop, haven’t you?
Brenda:
Yes, my 1st two degrees were back-to-back, and the 3rd was to fill my evenings because my husband worked 2nd shift. Then there was a major gap!
Blu:
What made you return that last time?
Brenda:
Being a 1st generation college student, I didn’t see anyone with a PhD in my circle. So, I decided I would be the first in my family to have one. When our children were grown and living on their own, I decided it was time. My husband was supportive of the time commitment the degree would require, so I went for it!
Blu:
Did the decision ever make you feel nervous or scared and if it did, when, was it before you registered or after you registered?
Brenda:
Yes, I was nervous when I was not accepted into the first program I applied to, which turned out for the best, because I spent the following year caring for my mother, who had Alzheimer's.
I will admit there were moments of concern at the University of Rhode Island. In the beginning, it was not so much about my ability but about the selection process. When only 6 students were to be chosen out of the 20 finalists for the program, it gave me pause. During my Ph.D. statistics was my nemesis. So, I used every available resource to maintain a B in stats.
Blu:
There is that word I was looking for Brenda! Available resources… In my experience, those are like hidden treasures. You don’t know where they are, or who to ask or even what to ask to for! Is there a method that you can suggest to us to help us get ready for that expedition?
Brenda:
Wow, Blu, that’s a survival question. Like what should I have in my car for a New England winter road emergency? Blankets, granola bars, flashlight and batteries.
I believe it starts with acknowledging that we aren’t going to know everything that might happen and what we’ll need. So decide to explore every office, from Admissions, Advising and Bursar to Disabilities and Student Success Centers. Meet every individual at the beginning of your journey. One of them will have the answer to help when a situation arises.
Blu:
When you were returning and those pesky doubts started buzzing about, what did you draw upon to get the confidence to go back, to give it a try?
Brenda:
To be honest, it was my belief that God had given me success in the challenges of my educational journey to use for such a time as this. I had learned how to communicate with a win-win attitude, how to focus on a task until completion and how to ask for help. My confidence was in His promise to give me the desires of my heart and the Ph.D. was one.
Blu:
Brenda, education, learning, teaching, it is a big part of every person’s life. As humans we are always learning even if it is not in a classroom and when you stop and think about it, we are always teaching. Passing on to others what life has taught us, but that comes naturally and goes unnoticed by us. It can be unsettling to think about returning to the classroom, what advice can you give to someone who is considering it?
Brenda:
Returning to college is a huge but doable step.
I would suggest starting small by defining the goals you want to achieve and then ask others for their support. Perhaps, start by completing a certificate program before a degree. College will require many changes from your everyday time management. Things like the sharing household chores and sometimes a reduction in socializing, so communicating with everyone in your circle of family, friends, even coworkers will be extremely beneficial.
I like the phrase, “remember, you’re not asking for permission, but for support”.
So don’t let anyone else’s doubts stop you from working through the challenges that will come.
Blu:
Whoa, that is a powerful statement. Let me just repeat it.
“Remember you are not asking for permission but for support”
It does feel like that sometimes doesn’t it? Like you are asking for permission not to do something so you can do homework or study for a test. I know I’ve felt that! But putting into words like you just did, takes the guilt out of wanting to do it and having to follow through with the work once started. Support not permission.
Is that easier if it is discussed ahead of time?
Brenda:
Absolutely! Having that conversation with family before things happen can establish the foundation necessary to hang in there when life shifts. Very few people like a surprise change to their day. So, discussing the pros and cons with the family on the regular is a good idea.
Blu:
Any tips to handle the feelings that arise when you disappoint someone because you made this educational commitment?
Brenda:
I’ve experienced that disappointment of others for missed family events, postponed promises and delayed plans. That early conversation can ease the inevitable emotions when everyone is aware of the sacrifice being made on both sides. Planning small special family events during semester breaks can help remind folk that your education is for the greater good of the family.
Blu:
Getting back to something we lightly talked about. If there are different ways to learn and we all respond to one way better than another, how does a person figure out how they learn? What can they do to find that information out?
Brenda:
Once in college, the student success centers, career services or advising offices can provide resources to learn about your learning style.
There are also assessments available online. Most will allow you to take the assessment and give you the results and provide additional resources, as well as an option to purchase additional information.
Usually, the results and free resources are enough to start with.
VARK-learn.com
is one source to identify basic learning styles.
Blu:
You spoke about the time commitment, can you give us some tips on preparing for the return to a classroom?
Brenda:
Many higher ed institutions have an introduction to college course. I strongly suggest it for a returning student. It will introduce the student to multiple areas of important information.
Some colleges also have TRIO programs, which are federally funded student support programs. Their goal is to work with students until they graduate and provide additional interactive support.
Guess what I’m saying is, do your homework! Read about what your college offers. Ask questions, and do not let anyone’s bad day spoil yours. Stay in the fight for what is meant for you. There are lots of people waiting to give you a helping hand.
Blu:
I think I kept you longer than I should have but I think talking about this honestly helps with the reality and we all know what we think it will be like and what it is like, are not always the same. That being said, would you mind next week if we talk just a bit more about learning methods?
Brenda:
We were a tad bit long in the tooth today :). (lol)
But I agree, these are situations where more knowledge is better than less. Yes, discussing learning methods would be great.
Blu:
Thank you for your time this evening and I look forward to next week’s chat. I’m off to make sock invitations.. Bye Brenda
Brenda:
Bye Blu, enjoy, talk to you next week.
I think there is a lot of great information in this chat. I also think that this chat really brings to light that we are always learning. That just the interaction with each other can lead to new things, or things that can help us. I want to thank all of you for stopping by. I also want to welcome some new friends, I so enjoy reading your comments. Thank you, Julia, Inglish, Teresa and Lew. We did have a few new friends that have registered the email address and I just wanted to let you know, I am so very happy to have you here at The Living Pen!
I wish you all a Great Weekend!
Blu