What did I weigh at 16?

My health records came from my high school. Vermont College required my measles record as part of my paperwork. I contacted my high school and they sent me what they had, a very interesting document. At 16 I was 63 inches tall with a weight of 109. I was a skinny little thing back then. And yes both the chicken box and measles were listed. Don’t know if that means I had them or had the immunization against them, chicken pox at 3 years of age and measles at 5. I really don’t remember either one very well.

MORE PAPER WORK.
Today the bursar’s office sent more paper work and in this paper work it states that the cost of Vermont College is $5,420. $5,120. was the previous number I received from the financial aid department so someone must have had their wires crossed. This form asks me to fill things out and send in my first payment. I don’t have all of my final papers and figures from financial aid department since I have had to go through the verification from the FAFSA (see below). I am going to fill in everything as I have figured it out and send in what I think is my payment.

ART SHOW
The school has an ongoing art show for the week residency. It is very hard for a sculptor to bring their artwork, but I have decide to bring the print outs of the newsboy web journal. I have logged them into a folder, so that others can see the process. I went to the foundry today and the entire sculpture is almost put together. I’ll be able to put those photos in there as soon as I post them. I also wanted to bring a poster of other artwork.

AUCTION
At each residency they have an auction with proceeds going to different things. I have decided that I’ll bring one of my God's Word collectable sculptures as an auction item, probably the graduation sculpture. I am sure someone would like to receive that, especially when so many will be graduating.

STUDIO
Today I stood on a ladder and I have taken pictures of the back yard, all roped off. The photos Show where the studio will go. I meet with the builder tomorrow. So I must have everything together. Hopefully these photos will help us to figure out some of the details. We are building around the trees and around the pond and stream. The porch to the new studio will be just a few feet away from this pond. It will be a nice place to take a break. I have no doubt that I will quickly outgrow this studio. It is o.k. Though. We are only planning on living at this location for another 4-5 years so then I can upgrade to something bigger. Creating life size sculptures is not like doing paintings. It requires a lot of work.

Building, creating and taking steps to the future

So I accidentally deleted my template to my blog, and had to learn how to get this blog back up the way it was suppose to be done, another lesson for a perpetual learner.

I’m supposed to get a housing slip in the mail from Vermont College. It has not come yet. That is where I indicate about my horrible snoring. (See below)

I leave for Vermont College two weeks from Thursday. I still have some things to do to get ready. My instructor for the Community College finally e-mailed me. He gave me, what looks like, all of my work for the rest of this term. I should be able to finish it before I leave.

I called Union Institute Magazine Network and sent them a press release about the Newsboy Sculpture. So I will be listed in the first issue I receive of the magazine. I hope they put the photo in the article. I don’t care so much to see myself in the photo as much as I do the newsboy sculpture. I sent them the same photo that is on this blog to the right.

While I am waiting for the 14th of April, and my trip to Vermont College, I am keeping busy by getting ready to build the studio in my back yard. I talked with the city of Houston yesterday they said I could walk my blueprints through in one day and get a permit. Who would have thought? But first I need to get with the builder about modifying the blueprints. I roped off the entire studio in the back yard, and tried to figure out where windows and doors should go. The stairs will be outside and go up to the office upstairs, but I can’t figure them out. How far out will stairs come that go to a 10-foot landing? Must be algebra. We are going to go with Alpine buildings and here is a view of our little barn-type art studio. I plan on enclosing the back part that shows a carport and using that for storage. This studio is comparable in size to the studio I have now.

If all goes well we should get our money, permit and blueprints before I leave and be ready to build when I come back.

The college paper work is done.

The paper work For Vermont College is all done, at least what I have received. I do still have the measles form. Because of the Easter holiday I won’t hear back from my high school until next week. Now that those details are out of the way I am back to doing schoolwork from Houston Community College. My class from HCC and Vermont College are going to overlap. Add to that the building of the new studio and the new sculpture that will be started on the 9th and by the end of April I will be going in 5 different directions!

I would like to contact someone in housing at Vermont College. You see I hate to admit it so openly but I am a snorer! Yes, it is true; I have turned into my grandmother. It is has become a real problem in our own house. Not getting enough sleep is horrible. I see how it affects my husband. So I hate to put a roommate through that. I am trying everything — hypoallergenic sheets, nose strips, air purifiers act. I hear that the dorms at Vermont College are old, which may add to my allergies and to my snoring. I don’t know if they can give me a room of my own, I sure hate to pay extra for it but I would not wish it on my roommate. It is sad, because I would like the experience of having a roommate. So I hope to call housekeeping, or those in charge of this sort of thing at Vermont College and talk with them next week.

When I spoke to my cab partner I got a better feel of what I was going to do while at the college. I wonder if most of the people coming to the college for the first time know what they are going to be doing. I have been told that coming home after the week will be kind of a shock because I’ll have to start the program on my own. I think for most people it might be, but I doubt I’ll go through much of that, probably because I feel (and have been told) that I am already doing what the program entails. It will really be like coming home and going to work.

My days will be long while I am there. I hear the program spans from 8:30am-9:00pm every day. I will still have my blogging to do, and article for the Tribune due as well. I have contacted my HCC instructor and asked him if somehow I could get ahead with my class so I won’t have to focus on that during the week of the 14th -23rd.

Can I afford to go back to college? YES!

As I mentioned I filled out the FAFSA online. It was quite easy and I have been doing it for a couple of years for my daughter who is attending Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. I have added the link to the FAFSA to my links list.

I already had an electronic pin; you use that to sign your FAFSA electronically. I just needed to make sure it worked. I highly recommend that everyone do a FAFSA. It is the easiest step to see what is available for your college. My husband, Mike, and I decided to go ahead and take the loans. Building the new studio will take everything we can to manage things financially. We will not however take the unsubsidized loans. Basically the difference between unsubsidized and subsidized loan is that one collects interest now, the other does not start collecting until I believe it is 6 months after graduation or 6 months after you are out of school.

So after filling out the FAFSA they send back my EFC, basically this is the Estimated Family Contribution for the family. The college figures everything out and has sent me my financial award letter. This was a bit confusing because well, I filled out the wrong FAFSA, I filled out the 2004 FAFSA. Because I was doing that FAFSA for my daughter. This April session at Vermont College is still on the 2003 FAFSA. Which is to my benefit, because I made less money in 2003 than 2004. As I understand it the college will take the semester in October and base that on the 2004 FAFSA. I know it seems like a lot of red tape to go through but the financial aid department is really quite nice.

Were there any other surprises in the financial aid letter? Well kind of. You see the federal subsidized Stafford Loan, the one that I do want, is not exactly what is listed in my award letter. There is a 4% fee, which is taken off of the top. So I deducted that and have what is allowed for that loan. The total cost for the spring semester at Vermont College is 5,210. This includes your room and board for the week, it does not however include your airfare, trip from the airport, and I am coming in a day early so I will probably need some extra meals. So I put a spreadsheet together, I love spreadsheets. I added up everything I want in my award letter deducted what I didn’t want and subtracted that from my total for the semester of 5,210.

Now many of you are probably thinking DUH! But just incase some of you don’t know the first thing about going back to college and the financial end of it I am writing it down in this blog. I must say that after doing the FAFSA I went to my husband, showed him the bottom line and he said, “Wow, I would not have thought it but this is actually doable, not just for you but for me as well.” I think he will probably wait to see how my adventure goes, before he dives into the pool of going back to college full time. I guess that is why I would suggest for anyone remotely interested in going back to college to begin to take the steps. You may find that what you thought was unattainable is actually as my husband said “quite doable”

What is left over on my statement I can pay out over 5 months or as one lump sum. If I do the five-month payment thing there is a 30.00 one-time payment plan fee that is added.

Oh I almost forgot. I got to deduct my $100. Fee from everything because I had to send a $100. check yesterday, with my application.

Are there any other surprises in that letter? Most people would freak but this surprise did not bother me at all. Apparently when you fill out your FAFSA the government “randomly” decides who they are going to check up on. So if it is you, then you have to send in some documentation including a copy of your taxes for the year in question. Well each year we have done the FAFSA for my daughter at ORU she is audited, so “randomly” we are “regularly” selected and sure enough the same thing happened at Vermont College. I am just getting to the point where I make those copies of the tax form right after signing it, put it in the envelope so that it is ready. It really is no big deal. If you have made errors in the FAFSA then your financial award letter will change, as will the amounts.

One more thing, payments do not go to the financial aid department. That is an entirely different department. At my daughters college, Oral Roberts University you need to have financial clearance before you can pick up schedules and proceed any further. That is done in the day of registration and there are long lines. I feel that for Vermont College I would like to get this taken care of before hand but if not, as I understand it, the Bursar’s office will ask you to come and get financial clearance during your first day.

Next step

Two packages came from Vermont College yesterday. It has taken me all night to go through them. I can’t believe I have to have measles records. How on earth does a woman my age get childhood measles records? I called my high school. Hopefully they have something on file. I’ll know on Tuesday. I am surprised the college does not ask me about meningitis. This is a big thing these days, and I have seen some talk shows on the subject, that can scare the begeebers out of you.

Most of today’s papers were for admittance to the school. I made a list, put it on a folder on my laptop, and am crossing it off as I go.

Next step...

One step at a time

I have scheduled my flight into Burlington and found out that the only way to get to the college is a taxi drive costing about $60.00. So the college tries to group you with others who are coming in at the same time, so you can share the cost. I talked with my cab partner today. She is going to be graduating this semester from Vermont College. I am thrilled to know someone who is graduating. When I sit in the ceremony I can be excited for her. She also filled me in on the ins and outs of the campus and what to expect.

My anticipation is growing.

I do have plenty of distractions however. My workload at the studio is starting to get busy. I have the newsboy project, and a new project that will begin about the time I am headed off to Vermont, plus a bunch of other things on the burner. Oh yes, my studio is going to be torn down (I rent and have been asked to move) and we have decided to build a new studio in our back yard. So I am becoming a quick study in blueprints, building codes and permits! Just one more thing to learn.

Keeping busy, and handling it all one-step at a time.

The sky is the limit

Today I need to finish an essay for my English class. It is the traditional class at the community college. I have not minded it up to now. I must admit that now that I know I am going to Vermont College it is harder to do this essay. I guess I am bored with the class. Maybe it is also that I had to write an article for the Tribune, an essay to get into Vermont College and other essay for the scholarship, an have been writing these blogs. And I am doing a second article on going back to school; one that I hope will be picked up by AARP. No, I think it is that I am bored with my traditional school and so excited about going to Vermont College.

While doing interviews with seniors for the above-mentioned article I found out about another college that is like Vermont. Goddard College has the same type of progressive program, working with the learner’s passion. Someone I am interviewing for the article mentioned, “add fuel to a fire and it gets bigger.” I think these schools really have something. When you tap into an individual’s passion, work and inspire them there is no stopping them.

The sky is the limit.

I'm in!

So there has been hectic preparation over the last few weeks. Making the decision that I would like to attend Vermont College and knowing that classes start on April 15th meant that I had to get my application filled out, my presentation done and my essay written. I labored over it quite a bit, but finally finished it. Grueling work. How do you take over 35 years of accomplishments and write them into a 4 page essay? Here is a link to my essay if you would like to take a look at the essay.

I added my media kit to my package, showing my artwork, containing some of my writings as well as newspaper clips and places that my artwork had been featured.

I also had other things to do, like getting my transcripts transferred, and getting my taxes done so I could fill out my fafsa, in hopes of receiving some kind of student aid or loans.

Though I had 3 people who said they would write letters of recommendation they were all very busy people. My letters were not arriving as quickly as I had liked. I called my admissions counselor to tell him they would be late and he said, “ I don’t think they will be necessary, we just got out of our meeting everyone was so enthused with your work no one noticed that you didn’t have your letters of recommendation.” So I am in! How exciting.

Now the countdown begins.

What is so special about Vermont College?

What is so special about Vermont College that it would swing my vote as my college of choice and capture all of my attention? Plenty! First I knew they would give me credit for my experience. Next the program was accelerated which meant I could get where I wanted to go in a short amount of time. But the final and most important element is their program; I don’t know any other college that offers a program like Vermont College Union Institute. Instead of going to college and the college dictating what program I fit into, which most likely would mean I would have to pick between writing or art. A decision that other colleges were asking me to make. A decision that I did not want to make and that I felt did not fit my personality. Instead Vermont develops a program around each individual learner. (The school calls them learners, instead of students). Which means that what I am all ready doing is my curriculum! Now I can’t beat that. I mean if I am going to do what I am all ready doing, why not get the credits and degree for it?

So in other words, this past 6 months I have been working on a life size sculpture of a newsboy, receiving publicity on it and keeping an online journal . The newsboy would be my curriculum. I am so excited. This college is unique. I know what you are thinking. Are they accredited? Vermont College Union Institute is accredited by the North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools.

An important observation

While doing the research for the Houston Tribune article on returning to college I was thumbing through Mark Wilson’s book on Distance Degrees. I originally had planned to go to Thomas Edison College because I knew they would give me credit for my experience. But I wanted another college to interview for the article and when I bought Mark Wilson’s book years ago I had but a large star near Vermont College. There were several things that were underlined in their description; art, sculpting, even art therapy. Because I had thought that art therapy would be a good mix between sculpting and writing, and I have done many things over the years to help individuals gain emotional healing through them both, I was entertaining the idea of art therapy. So I called the marketing department at Vermont College Union Institute and began to interview them for the article. As I spoke with them and read more about their absolutely unique program I new this was the place for me.

An article on returning to college written for the Houston Tribune March 2005

Returning to College

When entering the movie theater these days, I receive two dollars off of my ticket. Often the attendant examines me with a little disbelief, demanding some proof of identification. Its not because I am a senior citizen, instead I show my student ID.

In the past a stereotypical image that most hold of a college student is a young person 18-20 years of age, with a non declared major, who is more excited about the social aspects of college than the educational aspects. However this image is quickly changing. Students are entering college in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and even later in life.

Categorized as “non-traditional student,” older students face their own set of circumstances that are different from the stereotypical college student. Sure, we may have to learn how to focus and take notes, all while looking through our progressive lenses, but there are other circumstances that younger students do not have to deal with. Older students have the emotional and financial responsibility of ailing parents and they may also have their own children in college. Most have established careers and full time jobs. They have many years of experience in the field of their choice, but many are concerned about losing their jobs because of a younger, degreed person coming up in the ranks. Many people are finding that as the job market becomes more selective and age becomes a factor in the decision of placement, a degree and sometimes advanced degrees are essential.

DISTANCE DEGREES
There has been a rise in adult learners in higher educational learning of 41% since 1998 according to the National Center for Education statistics. Many nontraditional students are getting these degrees and never taking a step into a physical building. With online education and the help of a computer you can study from the comfort of your own home at your convenience.

By logging into a virtual classroom with other students, distance education makes learning convenient. For mothers with children, they can put the children down for a nap, put a load of clothes in the dryer, and log into English class.

DON’T GET SCAMMED
Many people are worried about getting duped by diploma mills, spending hours of work for a bogus degree. Mark Wilson, author of Distance Degrees, has made the college search much easier. The book is filled with 400 accredited colleges that offer distance learning for many different degree programs, and the resources are growing every year.

When searching for a college the question you want to ask is “are you regionally accredited?” The United States Department of Education has divided the country up into 6 regions. There is an accrediting agency for each area. The Secretary of Education has procedures and criteria that are followed by each of the accrediting agencies. For example The University of Houston has received its accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Vermont College by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and Thomas Edison by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Some college diploma mills will state they are accredited, but you must find who does the accreditation. If it is not one of the 6 regions then the college may not be worth your time. If you are unsure if the college you are interested in is accredited, you can check out the department of Education Website www.ed.gov . Mark Wilson in Distance Degrees has also listed each college’s accreditation and listed a link to the associations that do the accrediting in the 6 regions as well.

CREDITS FOR EXPERIENCE
Colleges offering class for non-traditional students realize that life experience is an important element of education for older students. Many colleges offer credits for the experience that an individual has attained through their life times. This doesn’t have to be experience in things as elaborate as business or science, in fact many times homemakers can find experience that can apply to college credits. Thomas Edison State College http://www.tesc.edu/ has a resource section to help determine if your past experiences can apply as credit. Each college handles Prior Learning Assessment (P LA) differently, some accepting portfolios, others requiring essays or individual interviews. Many colleges offer up to 30 credits for PLA.

CREDITS FOR WORKSHOPS
If you have attended workshops in your field, even if it was learning that was acquired through a non-accredited institution, it may apply to credits toward your degree. You may; however, need signed documentation from the instructor. Contact the university that you are interested in to discuss the possibility of accepting these credits. And if becoming a returning student is in your near future, be sure to ask for documentation from any non- accredited workshops that you are presently taking.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)
There is a variety of CLEP test that you can take for a nominal fee. Often one CLEP test can constitute the credits of two classes. The credits will then apply to your degree program. CLEP study books can be purchased from any bookstore. Each book is filled with sample tests and information on what to study for a CLEP. Up to thirty additional credits can be obtained through CLEP examination.

TRANSFER CREDITS
Even if you went to college 20 years ago and did not finish your degree, many colleges will accept these credits toward your degree program. You may need official transcripts sent to the college of your choice; however having unofficial transcripts on hand will help you to obtain and remember, the number of credits you have. To receive your old transcripts, contact the college that you attended. There may be a small fee involved in receiving transcripts.

ACCELERATED LEARNING
Colleges understand that non-traditional students are professional, experienced, and disciplined individuals and many offer accelerated programs offering degrees at both bachelors, masters, and some even offer PhD’s in a shorter amount of time and less “in class time.” For example, a bachelors degree may take you 4 years at a traditional college as a traditional student but can be obtained at some universities in half the a mount of time.

A DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN
When you think of going back to school you may be visualizing yourself in a class with many young students, some who are one-third your age. Or if you have a sense for computers, you may be able to comprehend an online course and distance education. Some colleges such as Vermont College Union Institute offer an even better way to obtain your degree. If you are a highly motivated individual you might think about working for your degree doing what you already do and love. Instead of trying to fit student’s into developed classes and degree programs, Vermont College designs a program around what the students passion is or the direction they want to go. This enables “learners” to be able to receive their degrees without having to change their focus.

After taking several online courses myself, through Houston Community College, I am presently transferring my credits to Vermont College. Through their program, they will be able to take the articles I write for the Houston Tribune, the books that I am working on, as well as the sculpting that I am presently doing, and with the help of a mentor, develop and use my work as the main portion of my degree program. I will have to travel to Vermont twice a year for a week each semester. This type of learning has been dubbed “click and brick”. A portion of time spent at the college and the rest on the computer. I can think of worse things than traveling to Vermont during maple syrup time and again in the fall to watch the leaves change. I’ll be staying in the dorms like a traditional student would. (Which my own college student daughter says is “really weird.”) In my week visit, I’ll meet with my mentor to discuss my degree plan (work load), visit with other students, and attend workshops, all the while meeting other highly motivated individuals in an academic setting.

NEVER TOO OLD
It is normal for non-traditional students to think they are too old to go back to college. However, Hazel Thompson was Houston Community College’s oldest person, graduating at 82. Her credits were 50 years old and transferred into the program. Vermont College Union Institute tells me that the demographics of the students attending their bachelors program is 35-38 and for the masters degree programs 48-50. However they had a woman receive her bachelor’s degree at 77 and another who received her PhD at 92.

And, remember going back to college just may be good for your health and mind. Current advances in brain research by AARP states, “ Exercising your mind may forestall mental decline by strengthening connections between brain cells. Intellectual challenge seems to be crucial.”

You are never too old and it is never too late. Non-traditional students not only have much to gain from attending college and receiving their degrees, they have much to offer the institutions that teach them and the work force that utilizes their education.

Though we non-traditional students may not be having dorm parties like traditional students do, perhaps one day all of us older students can get together for a college night a the movies and use our student ID’s. For the record, if you are a senior and a student there is no additional amount taken off of your movie ticket. I have already asked!

Distance Degrees- Mark Wilson http://www.collegeathome.com/
Thomas Edison State College http://www.tesc.edu/ (888) 442-8372
Vermont College Union Institute http://www.tui.edu/VC/
800.336.6794
Houston Community College http://www.hccs.edu distance education 713-718-5275 de.counseling@hccs.edu

Bridgette Mongeon is a writer, sculptor and soon to be student of Vermont College Union Institute. www.creativesculpture.com

A direction?

I just started an English class online at the community college this past spring. I had taken some other courses before this and had many, many credits in communication arts, which was my major back in the 80’s.

The first assignment from my English instructor was to write an essay describing why we were going to college and what we had hoped to achieve. I really didn’t know what to say. My direction seemed undefined and to think I’ll get a degree, one class at a time, seemed even too overwhelming to talk about. Besides I was all ready doing what I wanted to do in life, sculpting and writing.

I decided I would write an article about returning back to college later in life. I had felt that my research on this article would somehow define what direction I was going in. I had no idea what an impact it would have. Looking back it has only been a few months and I can hardly believe all that has happened.

THE ENGLISH ESSAY
Bridgette Mongeon
January 18, 2005

Diagnostic Essay

When asked to write about my feelings about education, my educational experiences, goals and interests, I have to work hard at not taking out my soapbox. Until returning to school as a mature adult, my experience with English was less than satisfying. I have very few memories of English in high school except, maybe, the English teacher that took away my sketchbook. It was not until I was an adult that I discovered I was a kinesthetic/tactile learner and that doodling in class actually helped me to understand and retain the material.

I suppose, in some ways, working through these courses helps me with my own insecurities. For most of my childhood I was known as a horrible speller. Overcoming those insecurities to pursue writing was a huge accomplishment.

My participating in English at age 43 is different than at age 34 or even 19. Now it is something that I want to do instead of something I have to do. Having this intrinsic motivation makes learning so much more enjoyable.

I’m really trying to take my time and enjoy each class. I want to do my best. I am realizing that many students just want to get the credits. I want to get as much as I can out of each class. It sometimes means that I go further than is expected or that most would try to go. I would really rather look at this pursuit of education as an adventure.

I am not really sure what my goal is for college. To say, “I’m going to get this degree or that degree,” seems extremely overwhelming. I’m taking courses because I know that the degree is something that I want, and the process of learning is very stimulating. For so long people have asked what my degrees are in. Because of my ability to learn on my own, and the intelligence I share in public speaking, writing, and teaching, I suppose they assume I am degreed.

A few years ago a friend my age was working for Houston Public Broadcasting System and was laid off. She had over 15 year in the communications industry. When seeking employment, she was turned away because she “did not have a degree.” I began to realize that, even with a ton of experience, a degree later in life is more important than at a younger, especially for women.

Although I am a professional sculptor, I am not sure how long I will physically be able to do my job. If I need to go in another direction, I do not want, not having a degree to keep me from achieving future goals or providing for myself.

I do plan to transfer to Thomas Edison State College, because they offer credits for life experience. I feel confident that this educational pursuit will be very rewarding. Picking a major is a little trickier. I have a ton of experience in the arts, but I also have such a passion for writing and communication. The books that I am writing deal with creativity, the mind, the science of the creative process, education, the mind and healing. Many of these interests pertain to psychology and science. I have even toyed with the idea of art therapy in psychology. Having so many interests and talents makes choosing a major very difficult. So, for right now, I’ll just focus on this English class.

In the next few months, I plan on writing an article for a major magazine about going back to college. As I do my research (I absolutely love research) I know I will actually be defining more of my future.

Until my future defines itself - I am very happy with the writing that I do, and my sculpting. My new project, commissioned by the Texas Press Association for the Texas State Capitol building, as well as my other commissions, keep me busy. I’m blessed to be able to do what I love.

When speaking about education, creativity, and goals, I might be standing on my soapbox, sitting on it, or I may even be leaning back and chatting with friends, pondering possibilities. I feel sure that concerning my education, whatever I do in the future, whether art, writing, or communication, I know I will be assisting others with expression while expressing myself.

the beginning...

As a perpetual learner I thought I should start a blog of my own. Or at least learn how to do it. I am truly learning this blogging thing as I am trying to put another blog on my own server, a job in itself! But then I am an artist and not a computer person so that is making it a bit more difficult. Still, I try to learn whatever I have to so that I can succeed and proceed with all of my creative endeavors.

I am one of those lucky people who back in the early 80’s slipped right into the booming industry and gained all sorts of experience. The problem with that is that I dropped out of school because I was bored. Now at 44 I am finding that the degree is more important than it ever was at 20. I am a master sculptor and when contacting a local college about teaching sculpture they said, “ I can see you are a master sculptor but do you have a masters degree?” “To teach art”, I thought?

So I have been piddling around at the community college taking a class here or there, thinking, “this will take forever.”…