I Have Waited For 7 Years To Tell This Graduation Story and Cautionary Tale

[udi]

Hello, hello,

I don't know whether there is anyone here that remembers me, but what was supposed to be one year of 'credit-maxing' turned into a seven-year ordeal -- a true nightmare. This is what happened.

So, I'm going to leave out some of the story because there are rumors (probably true) that TESU staff comb these forums at times and I do not want them to know it is me. Though, they could probably figure it out anyway.

So, it all started back in 2019. I had two useless degrees, one at the graduate level, and they got me what I needed at the time, but I didn't realize how shortsighted I was. So, I decided to go back to school for a hard science degree (or something in that ilk) and took credits at any and every ACE and NCCRS place that we have ever talked about on these forums. Though, I probably missed a few.

I was working overseas, quit, returned to the states, and I landed in Washington State. Covid hit THAT DAY, right before masking on planes, and Washington State was the first state to shut down. I did not work for over a year. So, yeah that was the first major problem. I got a job in 2021. I had one course left to take at TESU and then I lost my job. I got into big trouble. And! It took me about four years to come up with the $3000+ residency (tuition waiver) fee. Now, if I saw that coming, I would have just taken the 16-16 credits at TESU or whatever it is, using financial aid, but honestly, I was done with learning at that point. Yes, I was having a bad attitude.

Let that be a lesson to everyone. Now, I am not going to get into the specifics (I definitely tried to come up with $3000 in every way possible, but I didn't just need just $3000 with all of the trouble I was in and honestly -- the degree took a back seat).

I received notification from TESU recently that I will be graduating. It is a huge relief. Whether I will be able to find a job is yet to be seen, but I am not really worried about it.

I wanted to thank everyone in the forum. Once I actually find work, I might be back for a follow up. I probably would not have been able to do what I did without degreeforum, so thank you!

[Henry Feng]

Congrats! What you went through sounds incredibly tough, and the fact that you stayed with it through job loss, COVID chaos, and years of setbacks says a lot about your resilience. Most people would’ve walked away.

Wishing you the best moving forward, and I hope you’ll come back with a follow-up when things settle. Well done.

[davewill]

Don't beat yourself up too hard. I'm sure at the time, you thought the residency waiver was a reasonable path for your situation, and without the subsequent misfortune, it might have been. It sounds like you're finally moving forward again, and great good luck to you!

We'll always be happy to hear from you and offer support.