I have a two month old son and would like to better myself by going further with my education. I made good grades in school but got into the partying scene and did not graduate. I did get my G.E.D. I am 21 now and am raising my son by myself with no father in his life so I would like to financially be capable of doing it alone. I am interested in physical or occupational therapy assistant and possibly down the road a physical or occupational therapist but need to now how to get started and make it happen. Maybe online courses with having a baby even though I know alot of it will be hands on training. Advice please?
#1 by Supermom on February 26, 2010 - 7:56 am
I would suggest a junior college they give more one on one. It would be a good experience since it’s been a while since you’ve been in school. My fiance too decided to go back to school and one of the first classes he took was online and he thought it was a big mistake because there wasn’t anyone to ask questions to. He has had much more success in classrooms.
#2 by Lulu J on February 26, 2010 - 8:15 am
It’s admirable that you want to work towards a career so you can provide for yourself and your son. Going into PT or OT are good choices. There are plenty of jobs available in those fields. To start, contact the school that you are interested in attending and talk with them about financial aid, on-line vs on-campus etc. The counselors there are trained to help potential students and they can guide you to things such as Pell grants to help with tuition, books, etc. You will have to attend on campus for part of the training because both of those fields require clinical work to complete the program. You can do it though so get out there and go for it!
#3 by ELEcTrIc on February 26, 2010 - 9:57 am
good idea, and yes you can do it.
you should start slow first semester or two to get in the grove, try community college, or at any local university.
Tip 1 on social support:
check with programs on campus, often they have support programs to help you with housing, child care, or other things on campus. you’ll begin to develop friends on campus in the same situation who you can work with to help each other with babysitting, etc.
Tip 2 on Financial support:
check with the financial aid department, they can line you up with pell grants to get tuition, and possibly on student loans to help finance you to go more to a traditional/full time role.
Tip 3 on making the grade:
take advantage of the computer labs, the writing centers. they often are like free tutoring.
tip 4 on making the grade:
the rules are cut and dry, but everything is negotiable. if you make a bad grade, go to the teacher, ask what you can do to bring it up, ask for extra credit,why? when they know you they grade softer, just human nature to want to help someone they know. easy to fail someone they don’t.
the final answer is ….if you want it, you will make it.