I’ve had two successful semesters at Arizona State University and two more await.
En serio, que no lo puedo creer.
Have you ever worked so long at something that it felt like it would never get in front of you? A distant dream realistic enough to hunger for but never close enough to sense it?

I have been chipping away at my bachelors degree for ten years.
Una década completa, yo.

Poco a poco compartiré mis experiencias y reflexiones durante esta etapa de mi vida, but today I wanna talk about la escuela de verano.

SUMMER SCHOOL.

I’m currently taking two online classes through Rio Salado Community College. They are the two missing courses from my associates transfer credits to ASU.
Ya me lo esperaba desde hace años, pero ahora que estoy aquí… there’s been quite a range of self talk this semester.

There’s the naggy voice that says, “Come on do we really need to try this hard? They are lower level summer school classes…do we need to be this disciplined? ENJOY THE SUMMER.”

My empowered-educada y firme-voice typically steps in and responds, “Pleba, you’ve worked hard to get here. Finish strong. Finish proud. Don’t leave anything to question. Te lo mereces.”

But honestly its the,” I’m tired. Where do we have to go this week? What do I bring? I should probably stay up after the kids go to bed. Oh look, piles of dirty clothes. ¿Cuanto tiempo tienen ahí? I just want to binge watch Netflix. Never mind I’m sleepy” voice that I really have to keep an eye and ear out for.

DISCIPLINE.

What does that look like for you?

My current version is somewhere in the in-between of extremes.
I work on projects and assignments mostly durante el día cuando entro en mi hora de almuerzo and occasionally por las tardes, si lo necesito. My professors are communicative, creative in their approach to assignments and engaged through the messaging center. Needless to say no ha sido fácil mantener mi motivación pero, I’m getting it done.

I passed both of my midterms with A’s so I am making an effort to maintain high expectations with myself.

I do this because I can. Despite everything else I have going on in my life currently. Despite the family events, birthdays, birth of my scrumptious nephew, holidays, anniversaries, responsibilities, summer fun and curve balls he podido mantener este nivel de enfoque, y por eso lo hago.

I am learning that by gauging the support I have and my abilities I can keep my education in line with my priorities. The next two semesters will challenge me in ways I’ve never seen before. I will have to take 5 fast track courses a semester, broken into two sessions a semester, in order to graduate in May 2020. I will be working full time and we will be entering my husbands first season as a Head Football Coach for his high school. On top of keeping up with a home and trying to establish a semblance of balance with our children, life will be busier than ever before.

I am grateful for summer school.

It’s keeping my education goals and study habits fresh and close. Come August I’ll be in the endgame for my degree and I need to be sharp and ready.

Y lo estaré.

I understand that it’s bold of me to make a statement like that, “I will be.” but really, at this point what choice do I have? I’ve set the bar with myself. I will follow through. Don’t get me wrong, as my husband reminds me, “C’s get degrees”. I will take a C to survive. If that’s what comes with my best effort I will be proud nonetheless.

I’ll be ready.