Carol Shwanda » MOM IN GRAD SCHOOL

Getting Your Degree Online

Carol — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:33:36 +0000

I was visiting my hair dresser the other day, (which is where I get all of my good information, mostly on restaurants, movies and vacation destinations), and the woman in the chair next to me was telling her stylist that her son was getting his masters degree in teaching online. They both marveled at the possibility. I couldn’t help but overhear so I chimed it that I recently graduated from one of the many online degree programs in marketing. I went on to explain that there is an abundance of Online Degree Programs from which to choose and that they are growing in popularity. I am eternally grateful that I was able to complete my masters degree in Internet Marketing and use my education on a daily, make that hourly, basis. If I had to attend a brick and mortar college there is no way I would have been able to work and go to school at the same time. Not to mention raising five kids.

For my readers out there and to the woman in the hair salon, if you need help finding the right degree progam and school for you, I suggest you check out the College Navigator http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ . It will point you in the right direction and give you an idea of the many educational opportunities that are available to you.

REINVENTION

Carol — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:57:31 +0000

I have always believed that there’s no time like the present to learn a new skill or develop a new hobby. It keeps life interesting, challenging and staves off boredom, and dare I say, the empty nest syndrome. I think this is especially important when one reaches, ah hem, the middle-aged years, when our lovely children leave their nests and move on to greener pastures and greater opportunities for themselves.

It’s time. Not just for them, but for me too.

As much as I have feared that I would be struggling with this issue, I am happy, surprised and relieved to say that I am not. I’ve had my reminiscent nostalgic moments when I hark back fondly on when my children were adorable and sweet (and I was thinner didn’t need bifocals), but I am also looking forward to getting my life back.

The growth of my children has been a natural progression for me. As they’ve matured, so have I. When they were little, it was all about them. I met their needs, and was by most people’s estimation, a power mom. I was the room parent/fundraising/field trip driving/dance chaperone for as long at they and I could stand it. But even in my super parent hey day, I never really got my sole identity from being a mom. I guess it was because I had a full rich career long before I had children and I remember what that was like. And I want it back.

As I approach life’s half-way mark, (I’ll be 50 in October) I’ve gradually settled in to a time of rediscovery and reinvention. I went back to school and I got my master’s degree, something I’ve always wanted to do. I returned to my early roots with a new career in theatre and in a few more weeks, I will be launching a new business that I have been developing all year. I continue my writing with this blog as well as JustImaginate and SeaweedArt. And … I’ve started work on a novel.

I wonder why this transition to children-not-living-at-home has been so easy for me and I have to say it is probably because I have been slowly getting used to if for years. I can still feel the palpable loneliness I experienced as a newly single mom and my kids were spending the weekend at Dad’s. The silence was deafening. I filled the void with my writing, my art, a new business and classes at the local community college. Similarly, my darling husband Paul and I have had a lot of kid free weekends and our relationship has grown and flourished as a result of our private couple time.

I am confident that when my children are ready to leave home, I will be ready to see them go. I may throw myself across the bed and sob, but I’ll get over it.

MY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Carol — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 22:57:25 +0000

For those of you who have not been following along, I just earned my Master’s Degree in Internet Marketing from Full Sail University. It was a year long program taught online and it was brutal. I consider the experience one of my greatest life achievements simply because it was so exhaustively hard. I knew throughout the course of the year that I had won several Course Director Awards. These are presented to students chosen by their professors for outstanding work during the course. Several days before graduation, I learned that I was to be the recipient of the Advanced Achievement Award and prepared a speech to give at the Commencement. What I did not know until it was announced, was that I was also the Valedictorian, having earned the highest GPA with a 4.0.

My purpose for writing this is not only to express my pride, but also to inspire. I am a 49-year-old mother of five teenagers. I’ve survived divorce, single motherhood, financial woes, professional setbacks, and just about all the other crap life can throw at you. But I prevailed. And so can you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Carol — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:20:28 +0000

I’ve been meaning to write for days to wish everyone a Happy New Year, but I’ve been too busy slacking. That’s right. I’ve been taking it easy. Ever since I got back from my graduation I have been basking in the luxury of not having anything pressing to do other than shop, wrap Christmas presents and bake cookies. I did perform a few housekeeping tasks like vacuuming under the couch and throwing out some boxes of stale cereal, but basically I’ve been reading books in front of the fireplace and listening to the rain.

I’ve also been cooking up a storm. One of my Christmas presents to myself was a cookbook I picked up in the checkout line at Safeway. It is from Food and Wine and called Our Best New Classics. Edited by Dana Cowin. Not available on Amazon unfortunately, but sold in the magazine section of grocery stores. Amazing recipes. I made the Spicy & Sticky Baby Back Ribs and Paul declared the sauce “epic.” Other faves so far have been the Skillet Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pie and the Chicken Tikka with Cilantro and Yogurt Sauce. I find cooking relaxing and I am glad to have the time again to devote to it.

I’M DONE!!!!

Carol — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:53:00 +0000

I have officially finished my master’s program!!! I’ve submitted my thesis, completed my exit interviews and am on my way to graduation. I’ve been celebrating all week and will continue throughout the weekend. Paul and I head out to Florida tomorrow and graduation is Friday. My sister Pam is flying down from New Jersey. Paul cooked me a celebratory dinner last night and just now brought me a dozen roses. Saturday in Disney World and we fly back on Sunday. The kids will keep the home fires burning while we are away. What a whirlwind week for me. Will keep you posted.

MOM GETS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Carol — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:30:17 +0000

There was another victory in the Shwanda family today. This morning I learned that I am to be the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award at my graduation next week!!! I am thrilled, honored and so very proud of myself.

COMING TO A CLOSE

Carol — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 06:20:10 +0000

While I am waiting for my master thesis to finish printing, all 80 pages of it, I thought I’d dash off a quick post since I’ve been so remiss in writing. My thesis is basically done, except for some editing and I still have to write the executive summary, but I am basically there. I think what has driven me so hard to complete it is that I keep fantasizing about what I am going to do when I am finally done. Here’s my list:

I’m going to work out every day for two hours.

Get a mani-pedi.

Get a facial.

Cook from scratch. (Luscious recipes are calling my name.)

Make Christmas cookies.

Go Christmas shopping.

Clean my house from top to bottom.

Read books in front of the fireplace.

Once my thesis is complete, (the target date is Sunday) I still have to create a multi media presentation and present it to a panel. Graduation is December 17th in Winter Park, Florida near Disney World. Paul has booked us a room at the Disney World Hilton and I can honestly say, with unbridled enthusiasm., that the day after graduation, “I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!”

COMING DOWN THE HOME STRETCH

Carol — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 06:15:33 +0000

I barely have time to write these days because I am so busy finishing up my master’s degree. I am 3/4 of the way through having just completed my 9th class. Choosing to go to grad school and majoring in Internet Marketing was the best decision I have ever made. I am so grateful I have a loving and supportive husband and family and that I was able to do this. The best part of all of this is that Paul and I are both so excited about the business opportunities we share and have before us.

ALMOST THERE

Carol — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:18:41 +0000

I am almost halfway through my 9th class in graduate school. When I am finished at the end of this month, I will have only three classes left. I cannot believe it. Three quarters of the way through. I am both excited and ready to be finished. It has been a long haul, especially having to be in school during the summer. I could never have done this if it weren’t for the incredible support from my wonderful husband Paul. He is my rock. It gives us both great comfort and satisfaction to know that we are a team. As I have mentioned before, my master’s thesis is the Internet Marketing plan for our company. Come December, we are going to have a lot to celebrate.

HALFWAY THERE!!!

Carol — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:12:32 +0000

Yesterday marked the halfway point in my master’s degree program. I am ecstatic that I have made it this far. Whew! So far so good. I have done extremely well and I am learning so much and loving every minute of it. Because it is a year round program, I don’t get much time off. I have a vacation this coming week and Paul and I are taking the kids down south to Huntington Beach to stay with Paul’s sister for a long July 4th weekend. We plan to check out some colleges for Sophia. The kids are all excited. It will be nice to get away and spend some family time together.