Get enough loans and grants to attend school full-time and earn the degree I'll need to become a child psychologist

Well, school started about six weeks ago now, and I must say, I am kicking ass and taking names. My lowest test score so far has been a 97%, and I’ve gotten several 100%’s and even one 110%, due to bonus questions!! My anthropology and psychology classes are fascinating, my art history class is extremely thought-provoking and eye-opening, and the English composition class is teaching me how to write more formally. Sigh…so great. I can’t believe I’m actually making this happen!

I may have figured it out. At least for the near-ish future. The practice of “FGM” (female genital mutilation) has had a powerful effect on me from the first time I learned of it, and I was recently reminded of it, in the form of a video about an organization working toward ending it. It was very inspiring, and I think that sort of work would involve many of my main interests—writing, psychology, anthropology, and sexuality. So, that will be my focus in school, and it may turn out to be my life’s work.

After some thought, reading, personality/aptitude tests, and talking to the counselor, I’m thinking I may head more toward a career in anthropology, as I love studying not just how individual humans work, but also how societies work and develop. The counselor was quite impressed with my assessment test results, which was encouraging, and she recommended quite a regimen of courses. :D I’ve found a couple of scholarship contests that are right up my alley too…I am SO EXCITED!!

Yesterday I completed the online application and orientation for my local community college. Today I went over and took my assessment tests—scored very well in reading/writing, and so-so in math, both as expected, since I use my English skills much more than my algebra skills! Tomorrow I’ll go again to speak with a counselor, make a decision on classes for the first semester and get advice on additional financial assistance. I’m really getting excited…this is finally becoming a reality!

...I mentioned is coming together! I applied, and was approved, for the Pell Grant, which I think will be enough to cover my expenses if I attend the junior college and start that way. I’m not yet sure whether I want to do online classes, or brick & mortar, or a combination. My current means of earning a living leaves me with a lot of free time, so this should work out well! I’m so excited!!

I was derailed from this goal when I met my ex-girlfriend…but I’m putting my life back together again after that disaster. I’m not completely sure whether child psychology, specifically, is still what I want to aim for, but that is one of the fields I intend to study. I think I have a workable plan…I’ll post more once I get it going. :)

to just start out at the local community college, get my AA there, then transfer for my BA. I filled out the online application today, and am now working on financial aid. They have a lot of online classes too, so that should save money on transportation. :)

with a very good friend (and ex-boyfriend) Tuesday night, and discussed the funding possibilities with him. He thinks there’s a good chance I could get “a full ride,” so I’m even more hopeful now. (He graduated from U of PA, and knows a lot of college types.) Still researching, trying to find the right school…online would be ideal for me, but I’m not sure I can get into the right one.

But that seems to be how I work best. Last week I realized that I really want to be a child psychologist. I’m both very empathetic and very analytical, and I’ve always found psychology fascinating, but have been daunted by the prospect of eight years of school. Last week, though, partly thanks to 43t, I had an epiphany…so what if it takes that long?? It’s what I really want to do with my life, and I only get one (as far as I know, at least).

So, it’s actually rather timely in a way that I was fired from my job today. Now I’m even more motivated to find a way to pay for full-time schooling! I don’t care how much debt I have to go into, or if I have to find a roommate, or what. If there’s a way to do this, I’ll find it.