Final Reflection

According to my academic plan, I have already successfully tackled all my "Summer 2010" goals. I am now working on Fall Semester 2010 goals. My academic plan is as follows:

This fall I will be taking MAT 1010 at Utah Valley University. I will be putting my best effort into passing this course, as I know I am not strong in math and have had a year break. I will need to focus in class, ask questions, stay after or come early if needed, use Math Lab, ask my husband to tutor me, and use my time at home wisely. My baby will be watched by his grandma while I am at class which will help me focus better.

I will also be meeting with my school advisor this fall semester to look ahead at what I need to do to further educate myself in Substance Abuse counseling. I will be able to better lay out my education plan after this.

I know I need one more math course after Math 1010 to complete my Associates. My husband and I are not sure if we will be in Utah after this fall. I need to speak to my advisor about how I can take that last Math 1030 course and complete my Associates. I will have these questions answered before December 2010.

Career Plan as follows: I am not planning on working until I am closer to completing my schooling. I am a new mom that prefers to be at home for the time being. If my husband and I move to Oregon by next year, I may possibly volunteer once a week at a local behavioral health center. I will have my parents there to watch my son. I may be taking online courses for my Substance Abuse counseling degree. This depends on my options based on my advisor's input.

In less than 5 years, I plan on having my degree in substance abuse counseling. I hope to be using my degree at least part time. I also want to get a trained pet therapy dog (or another animal) and be starting a side job of hospital, retirement home, treatment centers, or home visits to those who are ill or afflicted with other burdens. Who knows what will come after this, but this goal should be attainable within the next 5 years (god-willing!).

The most important thing I have learned is from the self-assessment and the career webquests. I had a general idea about the things I was good at, preferred, enjoyed doing, and my personality. I didn't know much about how to apply who I was to the real world. I was so amazed at the self-assessment assignment. I have applied it already to so much of what I do. I also would have remained in the same naive place I was in if I did not do my research on specific careers. I knew I wanted to study psychology. It wasn't until I really dissected the psychology major and researched what I could do with that degree that my eyes opened. I have now narrowed it down to one or two things I would love best to do as a career. I feel so much more confident now when people ask me what I am going into. Instead of "psychology", I can say "I'm working towards my substance abuse counseling degree". It feels so good, and it sets the wheels in motion.

So, with this course coming to an end, I must say that I have a newfound excitement for sticking with getting an education. I was walking in the dark before, but now I know where I want to go, and I am equipped with the skills I need to get there. What a relief!