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+--- Thread: I'm Done!!!!!! (/Thread-I-m-Done--10969)
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I'm Done!!!!!! - 94steve - 09-24-2010
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I've been holding off on this for about 6 months now, as I completed my last class in March. I wanted to wait for the sound of the fat lady's voice and I heard her singing loud and clear this afternoon when the diploma for my BA in history showed up in the mail this afternoon!!!
I dropped out of college in the fall of 2001 and enlisted in the USCG in an effort to pull my head out of my rear and learn some occupational skills, thus staving off a lifetime of $10 an hour 39 hour a week "part-time" jobs with no benefits. I became green with envy when I had to salute the new Ensigns that were sent to my ship in 2005; they were my age and dumber than a box of rocks. Every time I saluted them, saw the opportunities they were given, or the sweet digs (2 man state rooms beat enlisted berthing hands down) I felt like a fool. College seemed so far off then. Earning a 120+ credits before I started collecting social security seemed about as likely to happen as the sky turning bright neon green.
After I got out, got situated, and began taking courses at my union's training center I worked up the nerve to pass CLEP #1, Social Sciences & History. When I got that score of 71 and realized that I had just earned 6 credits in about an hour I felt chills rushing down my spine. I began searching for more info on credit by exam and ended up here. Then I found out about the big 3, testing out, BA in 4 weeks, and those lovely IC flashcards...
I was hooked. I promptly began pursuing a BA in History and an AAS in Mechanics and Maintenance (in order to get maximum mileage out of my USCG credits). I passed that first CLEP in June of '09 and by January of 2010 I was done with my last test (Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union). I was also knee deep in TESC's War in American Society. I ended up with an A in that one, so I have an official GPA of 4.0 (on a whopping 6 graded credits).
Now I'm done people, DONE!!! I'll be in Trenton on the 9th for commencement, and can't wait. I'm not sure what I want to do next education-wise; I'm thinking about an MBA or a Bachelor's of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. I love what I do now (I'm a stationary engineer) so I'm going to go to my local community college and take calculus and chemistry. Uncle Sam is paying so it amounts to a free experiment. If I don't like it, business school here I come.
Thanks to each and every one of you for your support. All the specific exam feedback posts were invaluable and YOU GUYS are the ones posting them. They made even the trickiest of exams easy. Posting a score and getting a pat on the back was always uplifting too. It was always nice to give back as well, and I think my TESC History degree plan is still floating around here somewhere. It worked out so well that I was able to graduate with 2 degrees without ever having to interact with anyone there, aside from filling out my application, grad forms, and registration forms.
Anyway,
THANKS AGAIN!!!
cheersmate
I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!! I'M DONE!!!!
I'm Done!!!!!! - Chebasaz - 09-24-2010
Congrats, man! Hope you stick around and keep us updated on how you're doing!
Edit: Blasted typos!
I'm Done!!!!!! - creative - 09-24-2010
Wow, what a story-- very inspirational!! Congratulations :hurray:
I'm Done!!!!!! - Sunshine - 09-24-2010
[SIZE="4"]Congratulations![/SIZE] Hope you'll keep us posted on your MBA or engineering plans. cheersmate
I'm Done!!!!!! - KyleH - 09-24-2010
Congrats! That is a great story and definitely an encouraging one.
I'm Done!!!!!! - bricabrac - 09-24-2010
Congratulations!!! :patriot:
Awesome personal feedback, thank you for sharing!!! cheersmate
"Stung by the splendor of a sudden thought"...Browning
I'm sure you will excel in whatever you choose to do. Enjoy!!cheersmate
I'm Done!!!!!! - skyfall123 - 09-24-2010
Thanks for telling your story. Great job!!!!
I'm Done!!!!!! - NAP - 09-24-2010
Wow, Steve! Congratulations!!!
I had been wondering what happened with your degree. You were going so fast and doing so well on all of your exams. You were done! Excellent job!! I hope you have been celebrating your accomplishment! The actual diploma and graduation ceremony do make it more real. Enjoy them!
I'm Done!!!!!! - DSH2007 - 09-24-2010
Wow... can everyone FEEL Steve's enthusiasm in his post? I sure can.
I always seek out the "I'm done" posts because they ARE so inspirational and encouraging. Steve's is TOPS!
I can't wait to post mine... [SIZE="4"]Congratulations Steve![/SIZE]:hurray:
From another Steve
I'm Done!!!!!! - Elinor - 09-24-2010
Congratulations!!! ... but I am SO jealous!
I'm going for the history from TESC as well, and I started way back in January, and I "only have 60 credits" so far. Next year though, with a hope and a prayer, I'll... well, at least be a whole lot closer to the finish line. 
Seriously though, thanks so much for posting your story. It's encouraging to me, and I highly doubt I'm the only one it encourages.