Melanie Fontenot watched her husband graduate from the СAPP of Southwestern Louisiana, then watched two of her three children graduate from the СAPP СAPP all the while knowing she was only 18 credits short of her bachelorСAPPs degree.
At the age of 55, Fontenot could no longer ignore the call to complete her degree.
СAPPI had been talking to my boss about it, and he had gone back to UL Lafayette through the online General Studies program, because he only needed six hours to graduate,СAPP Fontenot says. СAPPHe said, СAPPLook, if I can do it, you can do it.СAPPСAPP
That encouragement came back to Fontenot when her position as a retail merchandiser went away in 2018.
СAPPThat's when the idea started creeping up that this might be a great time to finish that degree because I'm retired, and I'm too young to just sit here.СAPP
(Re)Starting Slow
After being out of school for 37 years, Fontenot was intimidated to jump into 100% online courses.
СAPPI started with one class because I was nervous about testing; I was nervous about proctoring; I was nervous about the technology now СAPP all of that,СAPP says Fontenot.
Soon, Fontenot began building momentum, taking advantage of the programСAPPs 8-week terms to knock out the sixteen courses that now stood between her and her degree.
"I could get a lot of hours completed by enrolling in A- and B-term classes,СAPP Fontenot says. СAPPSo, I started adding on classes as soon as I realized it wasnСAPPt as hard as I feared; you just have to stay on top of the reading and do the things they tell you to do.СAPP
ThatСAPPs not to say Fontenot didnСAPPt struggle. Earning a degree is a challenge, and she felt that. But her family was usually waiting in the wings to give her perspective and support her. She credits that support for getting her through the rough times.
"When I thought, СAPPThere's no way I can do this,СAPP my kids would say, СAPPMom, you got this.СAPP My niece would come over and help and say, СAPPthis is what you have to think about...СAPP or СAPPthink about it like this...СAPP,СAPP says Fontenot.
Finishing Strong
That support came through on graduation day, as well.
FontenotСAPPs cheering section was substantial. We-can't-all-fit-in-the-photo substantial.
Children, nieces, nephews, sisters, neighbors, and friends came to celebrate Fontenot and her achievement.
СAPPIt surprised me because I didn't know a lot of those people were coming. But it was neat, and it still warms my heart because they came from Tennessee, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, all over.СAPP
Shortly after she graduated, Fontenot started a new job as a Branch Office Administrator with a local Edward Jones office. Earning her degree СAPP especially learning online СAPP gave Fontenot more confidence to take on her second act and taught her more about herself.
СAPPI love my job. I'm using everything that I was taught in online classes, especially the computer class. When I walked in, I wasn't intimidated by the computer. I wasn't intimidated by learning. Had I not gone back to college, I would have walked into this job very differently,СAPP she says.
СAPPIСAPPve realized I can be independent. I can support myself. I can continue to learn. You know, it doesn't stop. There's no age where you just stop learning, and I'm capable of doing it a lot more than I thought.СAPP
