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When Belinda approached me to speak today my initial reaction was “A speech before class presentations have even begun for the year??! I don’t know if I can do this!” However, having been connected with the College of Extended Learning since coming to UNB has taught me to go beyond my comfort zone and face challenges…and not only academic challenges, but personal ones as well… which have been many this past year.
The importance of education was not something that was stressed in my family and I am the first within my family to pursue a post-secondary education. Its importance was also not stressed by my high school counselors. My background is working class and we didn’t have the means to fund a university education. However, not one person I had contact with in high school ever told me that I could obtain a student loan. I always dreamed of going to school and finding a better life for myself. The College of Extended Learning and organizations such as ALPS (adult learners, part time students) have offered the counseling, advice, and support to me in my 30s that was sorely lacking when I was 18. They have provided information on courses, funding, and scholarships…a few of which I have been honored to have received. Beyond academia, the College has understood the economic difficulties that I have faced to attend an awards ceremony in Halifax and has provided transportation and accommodation…thanks again to those who made that possible as well as making it a fun and easy process. They truly think holistically.
The school of life has been my primary educator throughout the years and I have learned a great deal from becoming a parent at a young age and then a successful self-employed dog groomer. However when medical problems began to interfere with my capability to work in a hands-on profession I began to understand the importance of academic learning even more. When I decided to leave work and pursue a degree (without actually knowing what I wanted a degree in) I heard a lot of “well, what can you do with THAT?” and “are you crazy? what do you want to do that for?” I wanted to do it for personal satisfaction and to prove to myself that I could do it. And if that was crazy then so be it. I love learning and love school. The academic learning almost seems secondary, at times, to the wonderful networking opportunities that are available here along with an awesome resource of knowledgeable people who are more than willing to step in and help you when you feel out of place as a ‘non-traditional’ student. If that doesn’t promote life-long learning, I’m not sure what would.
This past year has been a particularly trying year for me personally. The dissolution of my marriage occurred in part due to my partner’s lack of understanding and respect for the pursuit of higher learning. To him it was a waste of money since there was no guaranteed outcome of a career. To me it is a priceless commodity that has given me the self-assurance and confidence to believe in myself….something that NO ONE can take away from me. It is also showing my son that he can be anything he wants, and can do what he wants no matter what others may think of him for doing so. It is showing him to stand up for what he believes in and to find strength in those beliefs. He started his first day of high school yesterday and is already checking into various universities that would help support his goals for learning. And I am so proud to have been a positive influence in his life so that he feels education is something worth pursuing and is attainable…no matter what the surrounding life circumstances are.
Learning truly is a lifelong experience and I am very excited to see UNB and the College address the needs of adult learners with the opening of the Adult Learning Knowledge Centre. Support for adult learners here has been exemplary and it’s wonderful to see that support continued through ventures such as this. As an adult learner it is comforting to know that my concerns and needs, which may vary greatly from those of the traditional student, are being recognized and met. I wish to thank you for recognizing that learning is indeed an evolving, continuous, and lifelong process. My life has been irrevocably altered for the better due to the positive attitude that has been expressed toward adult learners at this institution….and I will carry that positive attitude forward throughout my life as I continue to learn.
Thank you.
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