Sigh.
I was such a _____________ in college. Too fat to fit in the seats and yet to ashamed to do anything about it. Such a cycle that was, semester after semester. Add in some surgery and my GPA is a disaster from CU Boulder. Sad thing is, when I went to class, all A's and B's. The F's show up when I stopped caring. Fastest way ever to tank your GPA.
When my husband and I decided that I would go back to school I never dreamed it would take me this long. Science in college would have been helpful, but that's life. Getting laid off a couple of weeks earlier would have helped moved this along by a whole year, but what can you do. Life happens at its own pace, even if it is that of a snail.
I was never a math and science kind of girl. I know that now, now, I can do it. I can even hold my own with the over achievers of the world as evidence by the fact that I've taken almost all of these science classes at the Harvard Extension School. Since it's still Harvard and they have a name and reputation to protect these classes are not your regular continuing ed types. Alas Harvard doesn't do nutrition, at least not at the Ext.
Enter UNH. Turns out that I don't actually have to get the masters right now to be an RD. You can get an accredited university to sign off on your course work, do the internship, take the exam and get credentialed. I can do this at UNH and I am super excited that I am finally at the point where I can take actual nutrition related classes! I have 16 left and can do this in two years taking course credit load and financial limitations into consideration. I am excited to have a plan in place (that doesn't involve rejection) and to be moving forward.
So this semester is my last class at the Harvard Extension School-- Biochem. Trying again, I dropped it last fall after an unfortunate flu shot reaction and nasty fall cold that cut into a lecture before the first exam in week three. I'm actually glad I dropped it as I'll get a ton more out of this class now that I have taken Organic Chemistry and Anatomy and Physiology. For the nutrition classes I'll be commuting to UNH three times a week and they include, Clinical Perspectives in Nutrition (Here's what you can do with this degree type of thing), US Healthcare System and Nutrition Education & Counseling.
Someday I'll have a shingle with my name on it. This process, like the process of losing weight, while long and drawn out can only have goodness at the end. I know it's cliche, but anything worth having is worth working for. And for me, the journey is just as important as the destination.
But that's another post.
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7 comments:
I love being reminded that the journey is just as important as the destination. Thanks hunny!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.
School and weight loss have a lot in common. They both take dedication, commitment and hard work. They both are also greatly rewarding in the end. Best of luck to you. You have accomplished so much, thus far, no need to stop now!
Wow what a great idea to become a RD! You will have such a wonderful perspective when you help the obese lose weight. You are so amazing!!
I think it is a great thing that it takes brains, patience and motivation to become an RD. Think about it...would you want some bozo with no educational background nor patience to see something through counseling you in this critical area?
It's good that it is demanding. And it is great that you have what it takes to earn this. You'll feel a real sense of pride at the end; unlike those who get degrees at a degree mill or some online university. And the real winners, of course, will be your clients.
All good things take time, right?
I went to CU Boulder, too! I was there from 1992 working on a doctorate (never finished).
An RD who has walked the walk...O hell yes! That will help others so much, even more perhaps than what you have accomplished by sharing your story here. I am grateful every day that I found your blog. It was the example of sanity I needed to see with my own eyes, to believe the possibility for myself. I was afraid I would have to get all obsessive/compulsive to change things up enough to lose weight. Instead, I'm discovering, and creating, a whole new life for myself, one that is mostly filled with wonder and gratitude. Thank you!
I hope your recent concerns about the scars have been resolved. They photo didn't look too worrisome, considering it is still relatively *early* in the recovery, but it is understandable to be concerned, especially when there is pain.
All my best,
Robin
such an important post, sarah. it's what's at the end of the tunnel that matters.
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