Changing Our Lives

Original Text: Changing Our Lives

What a surreal experience it was walking through the campus of Strayer University after 30 years of absence. It took a lot of courage to finally make a decision to complete my college education. I spent sleepless nights pondering what it would be like now as an older adult tackling those classes again.
Thirty years ago after graduating from High School, starting at Strayer, and then transferring to UDC, (University of the District of Columbia) was fun and exciting. Yet, that fun and excitement turned into distractions. I realized that I had a serious music talent and decided to pursue a musical journey. This music journey gave me the opportunity of sitting in and playing with many famous groups. This journey was short lived because I lacked that musical contact that opens doors.
The musical journey gave me an opportunity to reflect further back into my adolescence. I attended college preparatory school, but my mother had financial difficulties and could not afford my private school schooling. Private school actually kept me out of trouble and forced me to focus seriously on my education. This focus sustained me well into adulthood.
As I approached my late thirties, I suddenly realized that something had to be done in reference to my education. I had been through two divorces, raised three children. Now a Security Officer, I had put my life on hold. It was time to move forward. I was afraid and nervous with the challenges ahead.
I had one challenge after the other but I persevered and remember that cold day in February when I walked through the campus of Strayer. Despite all the fears and challenges, this surreal experience was going to make my dreams come true. It took social courage to return to school after 30 years and have seen success in my courses.

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Revised Text:

What a surreal experience it was, walking through the campus of Strayer University after 30 years of absence. It took a lot of courage to finally make the decision to complete my college education. I spent sleepless nights pondering what it would be like now as an older adult, tackling those classes again.

Thirty years ago after graduating from High School, starting at Strayer, and then transferring to UDC, (University of the District of Columbia) was fun and exciting. Yet, that fun and excitement turned into distractions. I realized that I had a serious music talent and decided to pursue a musical journey. This journey gave me the opportunity of sitting in and playing with many famous groups, but the journey was short lived because I lacked the contacts that open doors.

The musical journey gave me an opportunity to reflect further back into my adolescence. I attended college preparatory school, but my mother had financial difficulties and could not afford my private schooling. Private school actually kept me out of trouble and forced me to focus seriously on my education. This focus sustained me well into adulthood.

As I approached my late thirties, I suddenly realized that something had to be done about my education. I had been through two divorces and raised three children. Now a Security Officer, I had put my life on hold. It was time to move forward but I was afraid and nervous about the challenges ahead.

I had one challenge after another, but I persevered and I remember that cold day in February when I walked through the campus of Strayer. Despite all the fears and challenges, this surreal experience was going to make my dreams come true. It took courage to return to school after 30 years and I have seen success in my courses.

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