Confessions of a College Student

My name is __________and my college major is accounting. I chose accounting because I have a unique ability to calculate most equations in my head, which has always advanced my love of numbers and my ability to problem solve relatively quickly.

My favorite school subject is actually history. I know it may seem unusual considering my major; however it does fit my personality. I’m a medieval educator through reenactment and have always been fascinated with European history. The way they talked was very eloquent direct, the clothing is something to marvel over because of the exquisite attention to detail, and their ability to remain graceful and chivalrous even while dueling with you. There’s no other time in history that can compare.

Although my dream job is to eventually have my own accounting business, I’m very lucky to have been offered a job working with Jackson Hewitt, for the next tax season. This opportunity will give me valuable hands on training while I continue my education.

I must say that my favorite books would have to be my fantasy collection from Ravenloft Realm. These are published by TSR Inc. and are part of the Dungeons and Dragons role playing game. I own the whole collection, which consists of eighteen books and all have different base lines with different characters that intertwine with the head vampire Lord Strahd von Zarovich. The best part of this specific collect is that the authors wrote them so well that you feel as though you are there. You can see the streets, buildings, people, and get the sense of standing right with the characters. What makes my collection very uncommon is that they are all original first prints and you would have a very hard time building your own collects because they do not print more than half of the books anymore. I was truly lucky to find the last book printed in a box at an old bookstore.

Until I suffered a knee injury, the way I would relax is of the utmost unconventional ways. I would put on my heavy combat armor, lanyard my sword to my wrist, secure my shield, and battle others until getting tired. My husband and I both participate in a nonprofit organization that reenacts medieval times while educating about it. There is nothing more exhilarating than swinging a sword in a ninety degree arc or angle and trying to hit your target. It’s truly the only thing I know of where you can “kill” the same person over and over while trying not to be “killed” over and over. Then you both pop your helms and laugh about that great “killing” shot that will definitely hurt in the morning.

The person who inspires me the most is my youngest son Grey. He will be eight years old I a few days and was diagnosed with Autism when he was five years old. He endured several months of strangers watching him in school, asking him questions, going for all kinds of test, and simply wondering why he was so different. And he did this mostly with a smile of acceptance. After getting diagnosed, Grey then had to go through medication evaluations and adjustments until we found the rights medication for him. He is such a trooper because when he’s sick, he’ll remind me to give him his medicine because as he says, “It helps me keep my brain straight.” Grey is a moderate autistic which means he can function almost normally, with some severe ocd’s. Change is the biggest hurdle for him because he can’t process it and accept it. Even the simple thing of cleaning the fridge and putting the items back, can cause Grey to go into an anxiety attack. We’ve learned to tell Grey before change will happen, if at all possible, and then talk with him about how it makes him feel until he’s comfortable with it. If we can’t prepare him for it, then we help him through the anxiety. I never tell him that he’s different because to me Grey just perceives things differently and that makes him more evolved as a person. With all he endures every day, I admire my son for the strides he makes in his little life.

My biggest accomplishment was picking up my phone and calling Phoenix. I have wanted to further my education for many years, but always gave excuses as to why it was never the right time. In reality I was scared to take that first step. As an adult learner, sometimes you have a hard time processing information and keeping. When you have a learning disadvantage, like I do, you find yourself having to work a hair harder and put in a bit more time so you can stay on top of you education. Most people can speed read and always understand what they are reading. I can’t process information in that way, I get lost if I try. I have to read everything word for word in order to process it and then understand it. This can sometimes cause me distress if I feel that I don’t have enough time to finish or if I simply can’t have quiet in order to complete my work. I’ve had these issues since I was a child and I’ve always been thankful for having teachers who recognize the signs of me struggling, at such a young age. I spent from second grade until I graduated high school, having special accommodations made just to take tests. My teachers would even give me early notice on assignments so I could start them early, which would give me plenty of time to complete them.

As long as I stick to what I have to do in order to complete my academic requirements, I can only think of one obstacle that I encounter on a regular basis and that is my need to complete things accurately and in a timely manner. A good example is: I can only type about twenty-five to thirty words per minute because I do not have the ability to deal with misspelled words. Of course my accuracy is one hundred percent because of it, yet I always wish I can train myself to just let whatever happens happen. Unfortunately I can’t do that so I try to adapt myself when the situation requires me to.

With attending college, I expect to give myself plenty of time to complete my assignments and class work so that I can defuse a stressor. I would like to know what I need to do and when it’s due with time to do it. This is why I ultimately chose Phoenix/Axia College. You make sure we know exactly what our assignments will be and on the first day of class. Because of this, I know that if I can’t complete an assignment for the week it’s due, I can complete it weeks prior and then just have to hand the work in when it’s due.

I appreciate the facilitators making sure they are available on a regular basis. With past experience, I’ve had questions or issues and could not get any answers for days because I’d have to wait until the next class day. This added stress and sometimes complications in completing assignments on time. Thank you for helping us students in achieving our goals.

As far as any other expectations, I just want to be able to complete my education so that my goals and dreams really become in reach for me to grab and maybe exceed. And lastly, I want my family to be proud of me and I want to be proud of me for finally taking the steps to expand our future.