Show I i- i c Omnibus l L b Change And Growth Growt Part Of P W Woman oman Students' Students Experience ov I came to four quarters ago Ill I'll never forget that first day it seems so long ago I hadn't attended school for almost 30 years T r remember saying to myself as I walked through the doors to my first class What am I 1 doing here How did this day ever come about I 1 sure didn't plan it nor did I 1 want it I 1 thought about the events which had led me to I I tho thought about that day three months prior when my husband announced to me th that t he was in in love with another woman and that he wanted a divorce I thought about the pain and the paralysis that spread across my chest and up into my throat That pain and paralysis stayed with me for fr a long long time im I thought about my six children and how hard they tried to shake me out of my stupor and I 1 thought about my friends and neighbors all ll trying in their own way to console me and convince me that suicide was not the way to go I thought about how foolish I 1 had been to stay in my home for 27 years raising 6 kids and never once trying to develop my own skills to educate myself so I 1 could at least hold a decent job I felt as helpless and as vulnerable as a brand new baby Then I 1 thought about the day my neighbor brought over a newspaper article to show me God bless that woman That article was to become the very first brick used in the building of my new life The newspaper was put out by the Utah Technical College of Salt Lake It was about a woman named Alice Smith who directs the Women's Center The article told about a new group Smith had started called Surviving Alone The details told about women just like me who desperately needed help and assistance Smiths Smith's phone number was printed at the end of that article I 1 called her and almost screamed into the receiver Please help me Alice Smiths Smith's kindness and understanding was like lighting a candle in my dark dark world I 1 met with her and she gave me a motto which I 1 have repeated over and over again I have used it since in talking to other people with troubles Now I 1 give it to you When a crisis hits your life you have two choices you can make You can choose to lay down and die or you can choose to be happy But the c choice oice is up to you Since that imp important day with Alice Smith every day has been a new experience in my new life Slowly so slowly that it took almost a year to realize it I 1 grew and I 1 changed For the last four quarters in this beautiful college I have found the compassion and understanding so n necessary and essential for me to continue to change and grow I found this is the counselors and instructors I found Mr Black a man who not only en encouraged me to believe in myself but helped me to achieve those important successes Each time I 1 faced a difficult almost insurmountable task he was there he was always there with his patience and his many words word of wisdom He would pick me up dust me off wipe the tears from my eyes set me back on the track and tell me Mary you youre you're re going to make it and youre you're going to tomake tomake tomake make it b because cause I 1 believe in you All that's needed now is for you to believe in yourself Now how could I possibly let that wonderful man down Since that time almost every day Ive I've met new challenges new fears all here at ech So will will you Its It's tough sometimes so tough you'll wonder if youre you're ever g going Ing to make it Many of f you will have frust frustrations maybe even cry You will know fear and anxiety You will get angry with yourself your instructors and because of the great pressures even your family and friends You will sometimes f fail il a an exam You will cuss at the lack of parking spaces the campus cops the lines in the cafeteria the vending machines and the bookstore prices However day by day wee week by week quarter by quarter you will grow and change And you will never be the same again Wel Welcome ome to Utah Technical College A great place lace to begin your new life |