So much has happened since my last post.
I barely passed my algebra college course. And I was happy with the grade I received. I am still in school and hoping to graduate this fall. My health is relatively stable.
My finances, however, are unstable. Unemployment was canceled for everyone on emergency extension last December. Since then, I have been living on student loan money. I was able to apply and receive food stamp assistance and some help paying my heat and electric bills.
Although there are rumors that the house and/or Senate will reenact the emergency unemployment compensation, I am not counting on it. Therefore finances will continue to be an issue until I graduate.
Why not get a job? Good question. I struggle with it constantly. My current semester involves travel. I drive to Grand Rapids at least once a week and I stay the night at a friend's because I have classes Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Although I love being on campus and meeting young and energetic people, it cost $50 in gas alone to make the trip. In the beginning, during the Fall 2014 semester, the travel did not bother me in the slightest. However, I find myself taking longer to recover after making the long drive on Tuesday. This semester, winter 2014, has been the worst since 1978/79. There has been many storms and tons of snow affecting my drive down the west coast of Michigan. It also adds to the stress level.
Audio books continue to be a welcome distraction during the 2.5 hour drive. Thankfully, my Thursday class is usually open lab and optional. However, there have been instances where attendance is mandatory due to examinations. In every case I have been fortunate with understanding, flexible instructors. I have never regretted my choice of University!
My summer semester will be entirely online. And I will have a light courseload. Yes, I could work that semester. The problem is I do not know about my fall semester yet. Will I travel? This remains to be worked out and I do need to do that soon. In theory, I should not have to. However, if I want to graduate in the fall I will need to attend on-campus classes as the online courses I need are not offered this fall.
What am I going to do after I graduate? Again, a good question. I do not know. I had originally planned to teach college courses online and it was the focus in my mind. However, I recently found out that a bachelors degree is insufficient qualification for my choice and employment. Now I need to regroup, and refocus. Yes, I would love to pursue web design, but self-employment is an unreliable means of income. Large companies in need of a full-time web developers are not abundant in this area. If I want to be a web developer I will need to move.
I am also considering working for the state and plan to continue looking into it. Or should I say, considering it. In this case I would probably end up in a administrative and or supportive capacity with pay levels structured according to my degree level and experience.
I could probably pursue continued employment in the educational field, however, that idea does not appeal to me. I would like to step forward rather than laterally and I would like to start out fresh and new.
My current train of thought is to register with area temp agencies. This may allow me to gain experience with various companies and, perhaps, find something new to spark my interest and ambition.
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