College Update

On Monday, June 24th, I went to Heartland Community College for my New Student Appointment.   In that appointment my advisor recommended that I switch degrees if I want to be able to teach.  My current program Applied Science - Early Childhood Paraprofessional will only allow me to be a teachers aid (or an educational assistant).  However if I took the Associate in Arts - Concentration in Early Education I would be able to be a teacher.  My advisor told me that the Associate in Arts program would give me more job opportunities upon graduation and would offer higher paying jobs.  The Associate in Arts is a 4-year program where the Applied Science is only a 2-year program.  She did recommend that I talk to another person whom she referenced as I may be able to do the 4-year program but take a test after the 2 year mark to be able to get the Applied Science certificate too.  

To me it makes sense to do the Associate in Arts program but I hesitate.   Back in the early months of the year when God directed me to Heartland Community College (HCC) I felt that He was also directing me to this Applied Science program, specifically.   As the advisor was talking to me suggesting that I switch to the Associates program I kept hearing a little quiet voice in my head saying, "no, no, no, no!"   I do not know if that was God or not, but I told the advisor I would like to stick with the Paraprofessional program for now and I will think about switching.  She said that would be okay and that I should know though, when we next meet - in October.   So I will continue praying about it, and that would be a prayer request of mine, for wisdom on what program to pursue.

So for this fall semester I am taking classes that I will need for both programs.  I am taking 5 classes - 16 credit hours.   These are the classes I will be taking:

1. Growth & Development of Young Children
2. Music Appreciation
3. Intro to Oral Communication
4. History of the US to 1865 [pre 1865]
5. Contemporary Biology

I have 3 classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8am and 3:15pm, and 2 classes on Monday's and Wednesdays from 11am-12:15pm and 6pm-8:20pm.    I do not have any classes Friday through Sunday, which I am thankful for.   What I am really worried about as well is the homework.  My advisor said I would have about 35 hours per week of homework.    I am thankful that I will have some time for this, but I am still worried about it.  I also will need a job, as my finances are very low, and I do not have money for fuel at all for this fall.