DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

Reflections Of My Personal

Learning Statement

By

Wayne G. Williams

 

On reflecting my personal ability to learn I must say that in the early years it was very haphazard as it was imperative that I have the education that my Parents never had and that my grades would be superior as well.  Going to school was definitely a challenge but I must admit I created some of the tensions and lack of study myself.  Oh, by the way, my grades were never for the longest time what my Parents wanted me to have. When I had what I considered great Teachers my grades reflected my wanting to learn.  When I put my mind to what I want to achieve I succeed and very well.  Education has been a riddle to me as I take it in stride but try and be assertive in obtaining my goals.  When my life is running very smooth for most of it, the stresses don’t enter into the picture as much.  This time around I may have overdone it but my passion for wanting to achieve the ultimate goal.   which is my bachelor’s degree keeps me going.  Being focused has been a challenge but I will not give up knowing that I will attain my goal.   Every hurdle in life is attainable even though sometimes it takes longer to achieve.  I have had failures in my life and have learned well and I appreciate the successes even better when they come my way.

            When I decided to go back to school this time I knew this was it, my once in a lifetime chance to do whatever it was going to take to succeed.  Not only do I count on it but others are very supportive in my family to help me keep a positive open mind.   In choosing Prescott College it was by accident but not really.  I had worked in Cottonwood Arizona, about 38 miles to the East and was a sub-contractor to the Outdoor Adventure Program in the 80’s.  Then I was manufacturing Backpacking equipment and made some climbing packs for the School’s program.  I also knew personally one of the Instructors and learned a little bit about Prescott College then.  It wasn’t until 30 years later that I met a former student of the College at Ghost Ranch where I had worked for five and a half years.  He had come to visit while hiking the Continental Divide Trail and was passing through.  His stay was extended due to illness so I got to talk a few different times before he had taken to the trail again.  We had talked about his adventures at Prescott College and that made me think of the possibility of actually going there to finish my degree.

            In obtaining my degree in Sustainability I plan on looking for opportunities in Southern California where I can bring what I’ve learned at school along with the years of other related classes I’ve taken along the way.  My trail has been a diverse and exciting road as I’ve had the opportunity to do many projects related to Sustainability bringing me, in a sense, full circle on what I believe in and enjoy while on this fabulous Earth of ours.  I know I’ll have many more opportunities in the future as I achieve my goal with a degree.  Who knows after retirement I might consider going for a Masters Degree as well.  I know that I’m more motivated when all I have to do is go to school and study putting all my energies into one thing instead of work, school, family and finding that sacred me time as well.  It’s very difficult at best when you have a great family and sacrifice your time and energy and not feel selfish about my goals.  I look at what the impact in a few semesters will do to enhance our lives even better and that makes it worth going after.  In closing I’ve gotten to where I am today in my learning through timing, support, love and courage not just by myself but also with that of those wonderful members of my family.

ReflectionsOfMyPersonalLearning-2-2.docx

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.