I Did It. . .You Can, Too!

By Fiona Harewood

Have you ever considered going back to school but thought it would be too hard? Or that you were too old? Or that you simply couldn't afford it? Have setbacks, challenges and false starts been unwelcomed companions in your life? I had all the same doubts and fears, but with lots of faith and hard work, I persevered. And so should you!
I know what it's like going through life with a limited amount of education and being barely able to make ends meet because of it.Thankfully, a friend showed me how going to college and earning a degree could increase my earning potential, enable me to have the career I desired and set an example for my children and my community.
The information in this booklet is designed to help you forget past failures, teach you how to rely on spiritual faith to get you through rough times, help you overcome obstacles such as money, time and lack of confidence, equip you with strategies to deal with challenging courses and provide you with many more insights on your college journey, even before you start!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiona Harewood
• Release date: Mar 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9780983877424

Fiona Harewood

Fiona Harewood always wanted to be an author, but never really thought it possible until she started working as a part-time housekeeper for Karen E. Quinones Miller, bestselling author of “Satin Doll”, and other novels. One day while washing dishes, she told Miller of her dream. “Put together what you have, and I’ll critique it and let you know,” Miller told her. Harewood didn’t need to hear anything else. Miller was pleased with what she saw. Harewood joined Miller’s writers’ group, Evening Star, in April 2002. Prior to embarking on her dream career, Harewood was educated in Guyana, South America, where she grew up. Before migrating to the United States in February 2001, she lived in Barbados, West Indies for thirteen years and worked in the airline industry. Harewood has since finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies and a Master’s in Public Policy at Drexel University. While working on her bachelor’s degree, Harewood authored a piece of work titled, “Men You Have a Place in the Paralegal Field, Too.” This article was published in the Philadelphia Forum. After completing her bachelor’s program, Harewood decided to encourage people who have dropped out of school to return to academia so they, too, could achieve the personal satisfaction that a full education can bring. This triggered the writing of her book – “I Did It, You Can, Too!” Her hope is twofold: 1) that dropouts who read her book will consider returning to academia and build a better future for themselves, their family and their community as a whole; 2) that demotivated students would also find encouragement from “I Did It, You Can, Too!” believe in themselves and know that dropping out is not an option. Harewood also conducts motivational workshops and seminars in this regard. She lives in Philadelphia with her family and works as a Staff Assistant with the Federal Government. Harewood is currently finishing her third book.

Book preview

I Did It. . . You Can, Too!

Published by Fiona Harewood at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 by Hope Publishers

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - The Journey

Chapter 2 - How Do You Decide If You Should Go Back to School

Are You Doing it for You?

Would You Like to Secure a Better Job?

Would You Like to Maximize Benefits?

Would You Like to Set an Example?

How Should You Choose a Career?

Where Should You Go?

Chapter 3 - What Are the Obstacles In Your Way?

Money

Time to Attend and Finding Time to Study

Support

A Lack of Confidence

Sacrifice

Chapter 4 Things to Take Care of Prior to Starting School

Communicate with Family Members

Childcare Arrangement

Communicate Plans with Employers According to the Environment

Chapter 5 Necessary Resources

Faith

Find a Mentor

Study Time

Discipline Yourself for Online Courses

Chapter 6 How to Have a Successful Journey

Consult with Your Advisor

Be Careful When Dropping and Adding Courses

Attend Every Class

Participate in Class - Never be Ashamed to Ask Questions

Complete Every Assignment on Time

Start Final Papers/Projects as Soon as Possible

Take Advantage of Tutoring Sessions

Do Available Extra Credit

Join Study Groups

Keep Record of all Class Scores Received

Stay Away From Plagiarism

Persevere With Even the Tough Courses

Don’t Just Try to Pass - Aim for the Stars

Keep at it - Don’t Stop Until You’ve Crossed the Finish Line

‘Walk’ at Your Graduation Ceremony!

Suggested Readings:

Acknowledgement

About The Author

Upcoming Books By This Author

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:9

Chapter 1 The Journey

Experience is a good school, but the fees are high.

— Heinrich Heine Nineteenth Century German poet

So, you dropped out of school. Have you reached your full potential — all you’re capable of? Do you feel satisfied — is this a decision you can live with for the rest of your life? If you have answered yes to even one of these questions, then this booklet is not for you.

In his National Address to America’s School Children on September 8, 2009, U. S. President, Barack Obama, stressed to students:

And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You've got to train for it, and work for it, and learn for it. . .

Many people who dropped out of school would like to return but either don’t know how, or cannot find the courage or means to do so. Well-meaning family members and friends urge dropouts to go back to school — and that’s good, however, have they stopped to consider how challenging returning to the classroom might be? For some people, school is a distant memory — something they did ten, twenty or more years ago. My hope is that this booklet will encourage all dropouts — whether from high school, technical school or college — to finish their education. Yes, going back to school will be a challenge, but I assure you, the payoff is worth it.

Fortunately, there were two individuals, at two different intervals in my life, who shepherded