I thought that I'd take a moment to explain the title of my blog. "Misadventures of the Non-Traditional" is my own tactful way of describing an adult student returning to school after a lengthy hiatus. Currently, I am a part-time student who works full-time in a relatively unglamorous profession to support my family. About 2 years ago I experienced a resurrection of determination and decided to finish what I started and return to school. I began matriculating at Penn State-Berks (91' & 92') , and then went off to University Park in 93' & 94' . My exit from Penn State 10 years or so ago was by no means willingly. Poor grades and a terrible study regimen prompted the University to put me on "academic probation". My own efforts put me in that position, obviously, but it was near impossible to dig yourself out. When you have the scarlet "AP" put on your back you were assigned the latest dates to schedule classes and seemingly the most difficult or undesirable courses remained. Penn State eventually dismisses you and you are sent to the penalty box for 4 years to ponder your shortcomings. I suppose I could have gone to a different school and transferred my credits, but I choose to wallow in misery, despair, and wee bit o' Yuengling. Seriously, I was disappointed when I had to leave, but I just started working and living. There was too much wallowing.

Fast forward 10 years, with work and family responsibilities entrenched in my life I return to school. I love Penn State and I am Penn State proud. I knew I wanted to finish up there. The main problem is that with all my responsibilities I knew I could never return to State College to finish up my Broadcast/Cable Bachelors in the School of Communications. I live about 5 miles from Penn State -Berks in Reading. The past few years Berks began offering Bachelor degrees in various career offerings. Long story short I choose "Professional Writing" as my major and started out need ing roughly 40 credits to graduate. Well, I'm halfway through those 40 credits and my sub 2 GPA is now in the 3.6 range. Sweet! Believe me, I am not bragging, but it is satisfying to exorcise the demons and overcome. Frankly, I do not know if I will honestly even enter a writing field after I graduate. One of my secret motivations for returning to school was to set a good example for my children when they grow up.

My path to this point was certainly not a straight line. Things happen for reasons, and my plight is no exception.