Occasionally someone will ask me how my college 2.0 experience is going, so here it is:

It was two years ago today that I wrote my original post about follow-through and commitment.  That is, going back to finish a college degree that I abandoned in 1980.  When I first decided to return to college, it wasn’t clear how long it would take to finish my degree. I was prepared for it to take three or more years.  However, due to credits earned at the University of Southern Maine (USM) in 1979 and 1980 and transfer credits from the Community College of the Air Force (earned when I was in the Army) it took just two years -- four full semesters plus a class or two each summer.

Official grades for my last four classes are being posted today.  The 45-year journey is over.  I graduate this month and will participate in commencement in May.  As of this month, I have finally fulfilled a commitment that I made to my parents and myself in 1979.  

The emotions are bittersweet as the past two years have allowed me to reflect on what it was like to be a 19- or 20-year-old boy again.  Now that it’s over I go back to being a 63-year-old man.  This experience is a reminder that it’s about the journey, not the destination.  The learning experience has been so enjoyable, and I can’t thank USM enough for having me back after my very rough start in 1979/80.  

Over the past two years I spent an average of 10 hours per day doing schoolwork. Somedays were close to 18 hours.  I doubt I spent 8 hours per week on schoolwork in 1979/80 and my 1.56 GPA is a constant reminder of that.  In case you are wondering, I had to take 19 classes over the past two years, and I earned all A’s. Yes, my GPA for the past two years is a 4.0.  When I first started back in January 2022 my goal was simply to do well and finish my degree as quickly as possible.  After my poor performance in 1979/80 I didn’t think I was capable of getting A’s.  However, after my first semester back, my goal became to get A’s in every class.  It’s amazing the difference a little effort can make.
  

To help illustrate how things started and how they ended, here is a picture of me just a few months before I dropped out (I have no idea what I was doing…clearly not studying):

Here is a more recent picture of me submitting my final assignment:

Perhaps my experience is a lesson for others to never give up.  If it’s important to you then go after it.  It’s never too late.

This has been a most enjoyable and fulfilling experience and I can’t thank USM enough for making it possible for me to make good on a 45-year-old commitment.  

What’s next?  I always wanted to write a book. Who knows…anything is possible if you put your mind to it!