My Plan for Excelsior

When I first began to learn about Excelsior, I couldn't help but think "wow...I can sail through this stuff quick!". But the other day something happened.

I have a math tutor that comes to my home every Friday. I don't have any math classes, I just like math and I like learning more. It kinda hit me suddenly, but after three months of weekly tutoring, I sat on my patio and thought to myself "I am retaining so much more information through tutoring than I ever have through a traditional class".

I'm a really good student, always make great grades, I love studying, etc. But school just gets me all freaked out. I finally figured out why...I actually like learning and I don't like for it to feel forced. I don't like the rapid fire launch of information designed to loosely grasp it and spit it back out on a test.

Instead of rushing through the Excelsior program, I'm going to take it at MY pace. Maybe my pace will be relatively quick, but probably not. I don't envision flying through the exams (hats off to those who can and do! Mad props 4 ya!). I'm giving myself permission to learn at a comfortable pace that allows me to delve into information that might ordinarily be glossed over in a traditional program.

I guess what I'm saying is that even though I am 95% positive that I could sail through every exam in about two months, I want to relish the learning process. I want to feel like I've gotten my money's worth and I want to feel like I managed my program instead of my program managing me.

So many times in nursing school I wanted to delve deeper, but due to time constraints, it wasn't allowed. But now the ball is in MY court and I get to learn and bask in the glow of my education at my own unique, individualized pace. This feels VERY empowering. So I might spend an extra $440.00 per year if that's what my pace dictates, but it's really quite a small price to pay for the confidence and the feeling of diligence that comes with respecting my own needs.

I may find I need less time that think I will, but if I do need it, it feels good knowing that it's there. I'm not beholden to an artificial time line (a semester) to complete X material. If I am enjoying it and want to play with it more, Excelsior affords me that opportunity without the threat of being "left behind" or kicked out of a program. I realize that even Excelsior has time frames, but they are quite liberal.

No more will I be pigeon holed into a traditional academic setting with cookie cutter time lines. This is my life, my education, my passion...and I'm free to pursue it at a pace that feels natural to me. What an absolute luxury!

Nursing school has ceased to be a source of stress. I never thought I'd ever truly believe that possible.

This is me and my future self: :hug: