LP 6 Cause and Effect
First Draft
Tina Clouse
5/13/14

Being a college student is truly an exhilarating, exciting, but also tiresome choice, I have made the decision to go back to college for the third and final time. It truly does seem as though it has gotten harder and harder to be a student over the years, and now I have the opportunity to reflect upon why this seems to be the case. After taking somewhat of a hiatus from school, I was given the idea from above, the strength from within, and the support of my family, friends, and co-workers to go back to college for my masters in what I have finally found to be my true passion. As a social case worker I will have the opportunity to work with battered and abused woman and children, and be given the opportunity to help law enforcement prosecute those you have offended. Being a single mother of five wondrous children and the opportunity to be the mother figure in so many other children’s lives has given me the foresight, the working knowledge as well, as the wisdom and compassion to help woman and children who have been victimized. The reason that I made this decision to go back to school to receive my masters degree comes from a multitude of facets. From all of my children supporting me emotionally, my fiancé supporting me in every way that a man should, to the support from the rest of my family friends, I felt as though it was more simply put, just my calling to do this. Although there are so many positive outcomes I can foresee from this decision, as with all other life changing decisions we make, there are always effects, sometimes with the appearance of being negative. One of these being simply my time, because time is truly so precious, I originally felt as though it wasn’t fair to my family, especially my two teenage daughters to take on this extra load of school, yet not surprisingly, they are all so supportive of me. Another effect that enrolling in college has had on my life, is a very positive one, it has made my children and most of their friends look at me differently. This is due to the fact that as a mother, and a role model, they all see me continuing to take care of my personal responsibilities as a mother, an employee, and even simply as a friend to so many, it has given them all inspiration, and drive to do better in their schoolwork, and careers because they see me juggling a very busy life. Finally, but certainly not of least importance is the drain on me of having such a busy lifestyle. As I said I am a fulltime mother first, then a fulltime student, and also a part time employee, so it goes without saying, that I burn a lot of my nighttime candles staying caught up with all of my responsibilities. So the question I ask myself is, is it all worth it. Because being a college student is truly an exhilarating, exciting, but also tiresome choice, and I have made the decision to go back to college for the third and final time. So my answer is yes, the positive outcomes of this decision far outweigh the possible less positive, so I will continue to push forward, strive for success, and will be the social case worker that is my passion.
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