Achievements | Study | Ovecoming Defeat

Standing There That Day, I Never Believed This Would Ever Happen

Day 10 — Your greatest accomplishment

I returned to higher education later in life. A mature student they called me.

I wasn’t the oldest in the group though, there was a woman who was in her 60s, and there was also a 20-year-old on our course. I was in my mid-30s.

We were a mixed bunch that’s for sure.

It was a fulfilling time in my life, more so when I stood on the podium to receive my Master’s Degree in Social Work, it brought to mind an old headmaster.

I still remember his name, Mr Dry. He had these enormous bushy eyebrows and a formidable face, frankly, he terrified the heck out of me.

He never took to me from day one of high school. He had a knack for finding me no matter where I was in the school.

His intimidating face always seemed to single me out. Whether it was to point out my hanging shirt, a tie not long enough or shoes looking a bit scruffy, he would find some fault, no matter how small.

Always a put-down, whenever he could. At least it felt that way.

The ultimate came when he walked into our careers class.

I was in the 6th Form taking Literature as my main. He announced that he would be taking our career classes from then on.

The day has been etched into my mind alongside the dread of seeing his face.

As he gave the career class that day, he looked, at what felt directly at me and said “Some of you would be better off leaving school right now and going to find a job”.

His eyes were fixated towards mine, and he continued “Some of you will never amount to much ever”.

My first degree was completed four weeks after my second daughter was born.

It was crazy when I look back on it now, I was bouncing her in a rocker whilst studying for my final exams. The joy of youth, allows you to do these things.

Right now, just remembering my grandkids’ names without mixing them up is a challenge.

Who would have thought a girl who refused to go to school when she was 5 would have ended up going to university, whilst also raising two young girls, single-handedly?

Yes, I think that would have to be one of my greatest accomplishments, I can think of many more, as it would be rather sad to have gone through life only having had one great accomplishment.

Want to achieve more this year, then get on board with this writing challenge, it’s never too late. Keeley Schroder Adrienne Beaumont, Autistic Widower ("AJ"), The Sturg, NancyO, Karen Schwartz, Brett Jenae Tomlin

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