Mackensie Rohloff

English Comp section 56

October 22, 2007

Cause and Effect

My Journey to Completion

After high school, I had plans to attend college.  I was nervous, excited and happy to turn the page to the next chapter in my life.  I enrolled at
Southwest
State
University in
Marshall, MN in 1996.  I had my six year plan all mapped out.  I would graduate from SSU in four years and attend

Marquette
University after that to receive a Masters in Sociology.  I would be successful academically and financially.  Nothing would stand in my way to achievement, or so I thought.  My life began to change almost immediately and my educational plans were put on hold with many different obstacles in the way. 

To save money, I lived with my parents in Montevideo, which is about a 45 minute drive to
Marshall.  I worked about 50 hours per week besides attending college full-time.  Besides the distractions of my drive to and from school and my job; my long-distance boyfriend moved back to
Montevideo.  We moved in together in early November and by the end of November, I had dropped out of college and all my dreams went up in smoke.  I didn’t trust him to be at home while I was at school.  I felt that he would cheat on me while I was away.  Besides this, he began to abuse me both physically and mentally.  I didn’t trust him one bit, but yet, I loved him so much and couldn’t imagine life without him.  I continued to work at a restaurant, which kept us living paycheck to paycheck.  I ended up marrying my boyfriend because then he wouldn’t cheat on me or abuse me.  Right?  Wrong!  I now realize I wasn’t in love with him, rather in love with the man I wanted him to be. 

In 1999, I attempted college once again, this time with more confidence.  I learned about KRS Computer and
Business
College in
St. Louis Park and I traveled there three times a week for nine months.  This is a two hour drive, one way.  I attended the Computer Networking Program and earned myself a certificate.  At the time, I thought that I earned an actual degree.  Wrong again!  This course left me with no hands-on experience.  I didn’t even know how to hook up a computer at the end of the course.  My dreams of getting a great career with good benefits and moving to the cities were out of the question.

I did get a great job as a curriculum coordinator’s administrative assistant in August 1999.  Soon after landing this, and after hearing so many horror stories of my husband’s affairs, I decided to leave him.  I felt I didn’t deserve to be in such an abusive relationship and I had finally had enough of him.  It was the best decision I had made in a long time.  It felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. 

In 2000, I met my current husband and fell in love with him almost immediately.  I know it seems as though I moved fast, but I believe it was another great decision.  He is a great person, wonderful husband and outstanding father.  He is my rock and my supporter.  I am so thankful for meeting such a fantastic person.  We started a family and after four years of working as an administrative assistant, I called it quits and became a daycare provider so that I could enjoy our children.  I also am a bartender/waitress three nights a week. 

My workload with raising a family, working 60+ hours per week and being a full-time student is a bit overwhelming, but I am willing to give it another try.  I decided to enroll at

Lake Superior
College because I could do my work all online.  Doing the online program is a great choice for me.  The support I have from my family, my parents, my friends and community members is outstanding.  I look forward to the benefits that college will give me, not only academically, but financially.  It will also give my family the courage to succeed and to live a better lifestyle.  Education is the one thing that no one can take away. 

My journey is not complete, but I think with the support and encouragement that I have, I will succeed.  I have been through a lot in this journey, made a few u-turns and have backed up quite a bit.  Education is very important no matter how we achieve it.  We all have obstacles, but the important thing is to stay focused.  Achievement will come with hard work and determination.  I feel I am determined enough to achieve this journey.