Tell us your story...

[Elinor]

I was just wondering what inspired all of you to go the "nontraditional route" to getting a college education. Was it a book you read a friend who let you know about CLEPing...ect...?

My journey began my senior year when I read the book So Much More. You can read more about my particular journey here... Stay at Home Daughter-hood

I dare say our experience and journey are more or less the same in essentials. I was a bit slower to take up the tests though.

Shortly before I started high school we found out about College Without Compromise and Accelerated Distance Learning. We procured both books, and my mother and I read them. At the time I was just really eager to be done with school, and I couldn't see what good a college degree would be for me and my chosen "career" path (wife and mother). So, I "wasted" those 3.5 years of high school (I graduated a little early, but if I had it to do over, I'd finish high school and college at the same time... oh, well.), and then another couple of years passed after HS graduation, when, I might add, I had several friends who doing CLEPs - they were an amazing help encouraging me to take that first test! Finally, after about 6 months of talking indecisively, I sat down with my parents, and we decided that I could use more direction and focus in my life. We even determined that I'd work on either an English or a history degree from TESC. After practicing my essay writing "skills" for a week or two after that talk, I took my first 2 CLEPs - English Composition w/ essay (it was the old version.), and Analyzing and Interpreting Literature. When I saw my passing score on A&I Lit, I was... I can't even describe it. I'm sure everyone here knows the feeling. It was amazing. That was January of last year; I haven't really stopped since! Now I'm on my last course (hopefully), and am working to get everything set for a December 2011 graduation!

I don't regret beginning all this at all. My regrets lie in the way I've done it. I'd do it in HS if I could (so I'm encouraging parents to do that for their children - at least if they want them to get a degree). I'd also not try to be as rigid early on. I definitely over-studied back then - I probably still do... Back then I made myself take 2 weeks to study. I know that doesn't sound like a lot to some people, but I'm pretty sure I could have done it so much faster now, after having had almost 1.5 years experience. Still, I haven't failed any, so maybe I wouldn't change anything.

The more defined and useful purpose of my degree (other than direction and focus) is the "just in case" scenario. I want to be able to home school my children when the time comes, so getting the degree is an effort at protection against the government, should they decide that you have to have a college degree to teach children. I figured it'd be easier to get that checked off now than when I have kids. Some friends and family also use the "just in case" to justify what they consider my unusual way of doing college. They think that if a wife and mother should ever be widowed she ought to have a degree to be able to help her support her family. Honestly, I'd really rather not think about that scenario. I'm pretty sure those folks would have liked to see me go the traditional route, but I think they support my decision anyway. I've been extremely blessed with supportive family and friends throughout my journey!

That book is my story. Sorry I am not very concise about it. Testing's taught me a lot, but not conciseness unfortunately. :ack: