My "I'm Done" post

[nj593]

A few of you may remember me; if not, no matter.

In the fall of 2006, I was staring down 30 and decided that I was going to finish my degree before I turned 31. In November of that year, I enrolled in Excelsior College and joined this forum after having devoured everything I could here and at BAin4Weeks.

My initial plan was to spend six months to complete a double-major in English and history. As that six months sped by, I reevaluated and dropped to a single major - in Literature in English, with history as a minor.

When I enrolled at Excelsior, I had 27 brick and mortar credits and a 1.3 GPA at my local university. (I did not do well, there.) Over the next three years, I amassed credits through in-seat coursework at my local university, distance-delivered courses, and testing. Lots of testing. I received my diploma, today, six days shy of the three-year anniversary of my Excelsior College enrollment and nine days after I took my first teacher certification exam. I am the holder of a Bachelor of Science Literature in English - and an honors graduate, to boot. I am pleased with the quality of the diploma - the embossed gold seal, gold "cum laude" bar, and padded slip cover are nice touches.

My progress was not as fast as many who have come and gone in the time I've been a member of this forum. For those who want the fastest route to a regionally accredited degree, the Big Three can be heaven-sent. For those of us who are more ... plodding in our approaches, slow and steady will get you to your goal. Winston Churchill's famous closing remarks have served as a sort of motto for my educational efforts: "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in..."

Do not be intimidated by those faster than you. Do not give up. 2009 will be hard to top, for me, in terms of major life events - I lost my father and my job, graduated from college, got married, traveled overseas for the first time, began a new career, and began graduate school. I could have used any of these as an excuse to quit. I persevered, if slowly. Today, I am living long-held dreams, dreams that would not be possible without Excelsior - or InstantCert.

Thank you, Steve, for creating this site. Thank you Jennifer, Shoto, Michael, Brandon, Snazz/Rob, JoAnne, BasketWeaver, Gary ... I'm sure I'm forgetting someone who was instrumental. If so, I apologize.

Without the examples of those who had gone before me, I'd never have had the courage to start and without the encouragement and occasional needling from others, I might have given up.

Thank you. I am still having trouble believing it's real.

(And no, you're not quite rid of me, yet - I still have biology to finish.)

Im sorry to hear about your father. But, Im sure he is shining down on you with Pride ! ConGRATS !!!

[94steve]

Congratulations!!! Stories like yours inspire me and keep me focused on finishing my degree. Good luck with grad school!!!