January 16, 2012
Plus 40 & OnCampus

It seems like such a very long time since I sat down to write this column. I had five weeks of vacation from school. I really was looking forward to going back when classes started on Jan. 16, even though I enjoyed not having to study. All that time, however, that I thought I would have to catch up on other things, such as reading and cleaning the house, has somehow not materialized. Well, I know it has materialized, but somehow it’s been used for other things. It seems like when I’m given “extra” time I just want to use it to goof off. If I wasn’t working full time, I’m sure it would be different. I am required to work a certain number of hours for AmeriCorps, and being out of school does make that easier.

I ended the semester really well. If you recall, I was really agonizing over my history class. Well, guess what? Because the class had to be graded on a curve, as I have mentioned, I got an A! I nearly fell off the chair when I saw that! I’m still feeling really good about it. I received an A in Spanish and a B in English. Overall, I have gotten mostly As and Bs in my classes, with the exception of failing that algebra class and getting a C in my first semester pre-algebra class. Sooner or later I will have to retake Algebra 101. I am thinking about possibly taking it as my only class this summer. Notice “thinking about” and “possibly.”  I am still dreading it but have to take it sooner or later. One of my coworkers has failed it twice. I do not want that to happen, so I have to make sure that when I take it I am ready. I just keep reiterating that there are math people, and there are the algebra-challenged. We who are challenged just can’t help it!

For Spanish II, we are using the same book used in Spanish I. I am looking forward to learning more. It will be nice some day to be able to converse in Spanish.  I believe we are having the same instructor. Understanding an instructor’s methods facilitates any further classes he teaches. Considering the fact that I am interested in working in human services, and the U.S. has a large Hispanic population, I believe that Spanish is a good second language to know. American Government class is going to be a pleasure. I have found that as I get older, I am more interested in the workings of government. For someone who never wanted to go back to school, I think I’m doing pretty well and have taken to it like a duck to water. 

By the time you read my next column, I will be well on my way into another semester. I wish you all the best year ever and look forward to sharing more of my journey with you. Thank you again for reading!

Karolyn Tredeau, 64 of Ruby, entered college after taking a 40-year hiatus from formal education. She is a student at Northeastern Technical College and will write about her experiences in this column, “Plus40 & OnCampus” once a month. Karolyn can be reached at karolynt@shtc.net.

Read Karolyn's December column.