[LostAngel0616]

So I signed up for college in the beginning of the year and I'm closing in on the end of my first semester. I only took two classes, and they were condensed being as they were summer courses. When I first signed up, I was so excited and so motivated; I could hardly wait for classes to begin. Shortly after I signed up for classes, I found out I was pregnant. Now, with the baby, I'm excited and happy with the decisions I made. I'm now 20 weeks along and expecting a boy. =) But my motivation has been lacking more and more as I go on with my courses. I'm passing, but the work I'm handing in isn't if the caliber that I'm really proud of, even though my grades show Bs. I just had to sign up for next semester, and my confidence is at an all time low. Tomorrow, I have a presentation that I have to do, and they intimidate me in theory to begin with. But my flash drive got left in the lab last Monday, and my motivation is such that I didn't even try to set up my presentation. As if the worry of having a panic attack in front of my professor wasn't enough, I now have to just hope that she will allow me to finish my presentation during class, and then present it in the same day. I'm honestly debating if I even want to continue on next semester or just take the next two off. I'm going for social work, and my social anxieties are holding me back. I'm awaiting my OB/GYN and my pdoc to agree on a medication I can take while pregnant, but I've been without for 20 weeks now, only taking my prenatal vitamins. I'm also physically a bit of an "outcast"; I love my tattoos, crazy hair colors, and piercings. I really just want to get into tattooing and try to make a living. But at the same time, I have a baby to consider, and his future to think about as well. So I'm very conflicted right now, and every time I try to motivate myself something goes wrong, and I fall even further back. Things just are not looking up for me, and I'm not sure how to fix my lack of motivation...

[kaliope]

social work is definitely a field to go into if you want financial security, you can get a job anywhere, but it is a demanding one for course work I was severely mentally ill and unmedicated when I went to social work school and it was very difficult for me. I don't know how I made it out alive. but I am so glad I did because my job is so rewarding. now I am going back for my masters degree as a mft. im scared, but it is what I want. you have a lot of pressure on you and experiencing anxiety doesn't make it any easier for you. you just have to take it one step at a time and look at the long term goal. your future and that babys future. as for motivation,,,as one of my teachers was fond of telling me...a B is all you need, don't kill yourself.

[winter4me]

If you can keep going, do, you have already begun. When I went to school for nursing I was a mess but I did it and I have always been glad, in the end I even graduated with honors (I read it in the paper---I was just trying to survive and not really paying attn. to my "standing" ) Best of luck with everything! And so glad you are glad to be having a baby!! That's a lot all at once

[spondiferous]

I can so relate to so much of what you are saying, LostAngel. I am looking to go to school. I'm on disability but my partner and I are barely making it by. We're allowed to make an extra 1600 a month between the two of us and I've applied for the odd job here and there but I hate it. I'm 34, I've been working since I was 12 and I hate every single thing I've ever done, except for one 6-month job I had with a youth program that simultaneously taught job search and life skills and video production (filmmaking). I'm into arts - I too love my tattoos, I want to get more, and I don't want to get rid of piercings. My hair's currently my natural color but I love changing it up. However, right now I'm working with a job agency that helps people find work, and I went in there for my initial assessment on Monday and realized, I am tired of working **** jobs. So I've been thinking now of going after a certificate or degree in child and youth care, or social work. I'm pretty sure I don't want a degree in either, because what I really want to pursue is fine arts: performing arts, visual arts, creative writing. I just know that I need to supplement my income and I can't do it at minimum wage anymore. I can't handle working those kinds of jobs. I need to do something rewarding.
I'm scared it'll be too much for me. I'm scared I'll pick the wrong program and end up with a credential that won't get me hired. I constantly doubt where I'm at and if the right thing wouldn't just be to pursue fine arts instead...but it would be cool to have some kind of a foundation in social work/community support and maybe someday I could combine my passion with it and set up great programs for youth in the justice system, street-involved youth, youth with mental illnesses and other barriers, and addicted youth.
Not pregnant, so I don't have that happening. But my partner and I often talk about having kids and I have no idea how it'll happen financially if I don't get the ball rolling...ugh.

[winter4me]

How about becoming an Activities Coor. or an Occupational Therapist, or an Art Therapist even better (all use creativity/activities to help people)----In some places you may be able to work in the Activities dept. without a degree....
(psych hospitals, elder care, community mental health...summer camp