Admittedly, this almost didn’t happen due to financial concerns, a student worker at an office who gave me wrong information, and my own stress and anxiety levels, which I’m always working on improving. Needless to say, I decided to go through with it.

I once told someone, and many other people, upon graduating an MFA program, I would NOT be returning to school ever again. Well, I’m doing it.

It almost seems foolish to do so, but with my tuition remission from work and my lack of traction in my career, it’s anything but. It happened not too long ago that I sat with my former boss, who is technically my current boss only she’s out of office for over a year due to a project, and she told me that I should pursue some more education. After all, it’s virtually free. Virtually being the key word. There are still fees to pay. And not all schools fee same. Found that out the hard way!

Several months passed by and I received an email from my dad about a Graduate Certificate Program that might interest me.

It did.

I applied. I got in.

For some reason I was surprised. I saw the email with my name on it, welcoming me  back to the university that I said would be the last place I’d attend after the last time I attended it. And the sudden rush of this good news probably intensified my reaction. I was overjoyed. I shared the news with everyone I thought might care. I posted it on social media in case I had missed anyone. That way I also wouldn’t have to contact everyone in my friends list individually.

That’s my secret. Oh no! I’m lazy!

I’ve already mentioned why, practicality-wise, I should go back to school, but why did I want to? It’s simple on multiple points:

1. Structure

• Post-graduate school, life lost something I didn’t realize it never had, but school did – structure. I missed it. Things seemed chaotic. I didn’t know what to work on or if I should. Although I prefer the freedom of choice, I definitely enjoy a structured schedule where I probably won’t get surprised.

2. Direction

• There are ways that you know you should go in life, but no certainties. In school, you know what you need to do and how to do it. If you have any questions, you can ask.

3. People

• This is not to say that I don’t spend time with people, a sentiment my parents and other people might not believe. I do. I really do. I try to spend time with like minded individuals when I can. In school, I am assured this. I can also meet MORE people who may be like me or have similar interests. I might also meet people who are completely different than me, ultimately causing me to grow as a person! The thing about life is the older you get, the more difficult it can become to make (and keep) friends and etc. This is kind of like a work around of that. Granted, difficult does not mean impossible.

4.  Learning

• I get a chance to learn more about something that interests me, and do so in a way that  I couldn’t on my own. I also don’t want to learn on my own. At least, I don’t ALWAYS want to learn that way.

5.  Because I want to and I can!

• There are a number of difficulties in simply getting into higher education, whether it’s political opposition or financial struggles, but if you can and you want to, then you shouldn’t think twice about it. Do it! Do it.
• Also, I wanted five things here. Or ten, but no more or less than those numbers. Anything else feels wrong.

Yes, I may have had to go against a crusade of misinformation, threatening to leave the program a few times, calling everyone who should know something. I may have seriously considered giving up, which isn’t bad, but doesn’t seem to be the right thing either. Thing is, I have plenty of reasons to do this. I don’t think I need any, but I do have them.

I have benefits through my job that allow me to do this. I am fortunate that I can, and I will take full advantage of it as long as I am able. I’m actually interested in what I’m going to be studying and learning. I also think this is a prime example of people learning and changing over time. I mean, I was DONE with education. I did not want to go back, but here I am. And I couldn’t be more excited!

I hope that everyone out there can find something big and important to further themselves too.

All the best,

Nathan