The Diary of an Adult University Student

By Gayle Johnson

When I stepped onto the campus of the University of Georgia in 1993, I felt very out-of-place. At age 32, the average student was around eleven years my junior. In addition, my 3-year-old daughter was beside me.

My first two years of college, I attended a small, local school. I chose to major in psychology and needed at least a bachelor's degree. I chose to continue my education at a university because in addition to offering quality degree programs, they also offered a family housing program. These were university-owned apartments, which were rented at reasonable rates to adult students with families.

My typical day was to arise at 5:30 a.m., shower and get ready for school. Following that, I’d wake my daughter and get her dressed and fed. Then it was into the car to take her to daycare, a 45 minute trip in the morning traffic. Once she was settled, I then drove back to my apartment to catch the campus bus.

I did my best to schedule morning classes, leaving me free to work three afternoons a week. The other two afternoons, I spent doing library research and other class-related activities.

I picked my daughter up at 5:30 p.m. At home, I made dinner, fed and bathed her and then read and played with her until her 8:30 bedtime. After she was in bed, I cleaned, did homework and studied, often until midnight or later.

If one of us got sick, things became more hectic. I remember nights of holding and rocking her while I studied at the same time.

Together, we spent four years there as I earned master's degree after finishing my bachelor's degree. While it was hectic and often draining, I wouldn't trade the experience. The benefits have been many.

Besides earning my master's and bachelor's degrees, I earned much confidence in my ability to balance life and work. Juggling mine and my child’s schedule was challenging, but I proved to myself that I could handle it. My daughter has benefited as well. Attending daycare and learning at an early age has made her very outgoing and social. In addition, being exposed to the studying and reading I did helped her develop a love for books and learning.

She is 18 now and will be attending college this fall. Since first grade, she has maintained a high GPA and has already received several scholarships. I will never forget her first day of kindergarten. She came home disappointed because her teacher had not given her homework "like mommy always has!"