WVJC Student

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself.

While I have always suffered from anxiety, I developed clinical depression in high school, which I've recognized only with hindsight. I was basically done. I just barely earned my diploma.

After a few years of doing practically nothing and sinking further into depression, my mother told me to start community college. I felt she left me no alternative, and it went pretty much as you might expect. While there were one or two classes I did well in, my depression got in the way of the rest, coupled with a college that didn't seem to care. After taking classes intermittently for two years, I unceremoniously dropped out. A year later, I was officially diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Starting in 2016, I finally began to break out of this "life" I'd made for myself. I was able to get a job, albeit one with minimum wage and physical restrictions due to back issues. Last year, I got an apartment.

Unfortunately, my depression and anxiety started getting the better of me again. Despite my best efforts, I began spending more time in bed, and by February of this year, I had come to loathe my work. Mom suggested giving school another shot, a two-year this time. Since my current job is in an office, I googled "office training", and came across West Virginia Junior College. I decided to check it out.

My classes started in May, and I have had no second thoughts. My work and home life still bring me down a great deal, but school is a genuine joy for me. I'm in WVJC's Medical Office Administration program (taking classes both on campus and online due to transportation issues), and I plan to return after graduation for medical coding. For the first time in over a decade, my brain feels fully engaged. Unlike my last school, this one gives me the feeling that they actually care. "I'm a name, not a number" may seem cliche, but that's reality at this school. I recently completed my English Composition class, and have rekindled my love of writing with the help of my professor.

My depression is ongoing, of course. I'll likely battle it for the rest of my life. I consider this my first real strike back at it.

I'd be interested to hear from people with similar stories. It IS possible to overcome a bad past and better yourself.

 

You are awesome and I admire your resilience. All the best in your academic and career pursuits!

 

Wal-Mart now offers tuition to either the University of Florida, Brandman University, or Bellevue University for just $1 a day:

https://www.businessinsider.com/walmart-college-education-employees-2018-5

If I was a youngster again, I would be all over this.

 

Yes, I'm working on an Associate's. The great thing is that when I go back for coding, I'll have most of the classes out of the way already!

The previous school was Westmoreland County Community College. Maybe it was just the campus I was going to-I rarely saw my academic advisor, no one was following up with me on anything, and they didn't seem to notice when I left. WVJC is the polar opposite.

Year Up sounds like a great program. Unfortunately, the age cutoff is 24, so I'm too old for it.

 

I think you are in the right program you need to be in. I would certainly not waste your energies with any of the "free" online courses offered by working at fast food, etc., particularly if you do not enjoy demeaning jobs, as you indicated you do not. Some posters may be overly concerned with cost of program, ease, and the rapidity with which they can finish. None of that really matters. It is more about the quality of the education, the experience, and where it leads you to next.

I think attending a normal, brick and mortar institution with an online component is best for you, taking a combination of classes both online and in person, which is what you are doing at your current school. I am glad they are giving you the personal attention and care that you want to enable you to better succeed and thrive. I am not so sure you would find that at random online-only schools. This sounds like it is a school you want to stick with. A significant number of colleges offer a number of online courses. I would continue to take some but again try to stay involved on campus as well, to make sure you stay on track, stay focused, get attention, etc. Some students can get overwhelmed if they transition to all online courses, as it can be harder to stay self-disciplined when you are not going there in person on a regular basis.

I am curious about pursuing two degrees. Which do you intend to use? What is your final goal with it? One might be redundant, but since they are related, they likely could compliment each other well. I would start trying to figure out how you can use these degrees, once completed, to transition into the workforce. There is probably a career center at the college that can help you with trying to seek employment in those fields as you complete you degrees, or perhaps an advisor can give guidance as well.

 

Well, I had initially decided to pursue coding. When I met the woman who would become my academic advisor, she suggested office administration first, for two reasons. She didn't think it was a good idea to jump straight into the medical field with no experience, and my current job as a receptionist would provide a great transition.

Additionally, she told me that the office administration degree would help get me work in any kind of medical office, ranging from a research facility to a vet's office. To that end, I've also decided to pursue certification in Word and Excel. I want to make myself as marketable as I possibly can. At the very least, it'll enable me to quit my current job while I go for coding.

The school does have an excellent career center. I've already received help with my resume, as we recently had a career fair.

 

My Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certificate in Excel 2013 has opened a lot of doors for me. People really don't like learning Excel for some reason.

 

I just wrapped up an intro to computers class that included an Excel week. For me, Excel is easily the hardest part of Office. I will have a spreadsheet class later on, so I think the in-depth look will be a huge help.

 

Just an update-I ran into financial difficulties, so I decided to confide in my program director. I was half-venting, half-looking for ideas. After I left, she went to the financial aid people and told them what I told her. Long story short, I'm beginning a work-study next week at the local library. This will enable me to leave my current job.

I am so glad I go to this school.

 

Thanks for the update and good luck!