Things Aren't Working Out As I Planned
By Sharon
@simone10 (54192)
Louisville, Kentucky
September 28, 2016 6:17am CST
As some of you know, I had registered to take online classes to get a degree in Creative Writing. I was accepted for Financial Aid and was very excited about starting in October.
Well, when my advisor and I started getting my curriculum together, I realized that the Pell Grant wouldn't cover what I needed and I would have to dip into student loans.
I am unable to work and started thinking about how I would be able to pay back a loan. There is no guarantee that I will be successful writing a book after I complete my classes. I couldn't see myself having such big debt at my age. Sadly I had to drop out for now.
I want to thank everyone for their support during all of this. I am not as disappointed as I thought I would be. I have decided to look to see if there are any free creative writing stuff online and also to check on writing contests. That will give me more experience until I feel like I am ready to start writing.
27 people like this
31 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Sep 16
I would not want to have to deal with student loans at my age either. I hope you find a way to get what you want without it costing an arm or leg....My husband has been involved with colleges and Universities forever, (well, not now) If you know someone who works in the field you might have a conversation and find a tutor...or even night classes. I took a wood carving course at night at a local high school and learned a lot and made life long friends while doing it....
3 people like this
@just4him (303348)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Sep 16
There are a couple of great writing sites. One offers a weekly challenge and gives you a topic. I wrote on there for a couple years. It's Faithwriters. The other site will also help you with your writing by offering you critique on what you write. It's Writing dot com or WDC. I was also part of that site for a few years. Both are great for helping you learn to write. You might also find other sites by getting involved there that will help you become the writer you want to be.
2 people like this
@Firestorm0122 (730)
• United States
28 Sep 16
I believe you made the right choice. Getting into debt is easy, but getting out of it is much harder. You can still write, and you can possibly teach yourself creative writing. There are a lot of reliable sources free online. Khan Academy is one such place where you can learn for free. Tutorials, books from the library, books on writing from Amazon. These days, it's better to self-teach yourself on things because college is just expensive. Getting a degree is nice, but sometimes the feel you've accomplished something on your own is a far greater feeling.
1 person likes this
@Firestorm0122 (730)
• United States
21 Oct 16
@simone10 You're very welcome! And that's great to hear. Sometimes good education is hard to come by, but thankfully there's Khan Academy. There may be others too. I just haven't run across them, yet.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
27 Oct 16
@Firestorm0122 I think this is going to be a wonderful start for me.
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
30 Sep 16
I am not sure what Great Courses offers but you get a free month and then they have a monthly subscription. My friend who was a college professor loves it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
9 Oct 16
@simone10 I know it can't take the place of getting your degree but it might provide you some support while you wait to see what this plays out.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
@BelleStarr That is very true. I don't necessarily have to have a degree. I'm just looking for help with writing.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39517)
• United States
29 Sep 16
oh, this news 'tis most sad, but i'm glad to see that'cher takin' such'n stride, hon. surely there's diffren't places there where ya live where writers get together? ya might do ya some checkin'. i dunno 'bout those online places, aint ne'er hunted fer such. best 'f luck to ya, whate'er ya come'p with :) big hugs!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39517)
• United States
10 Oct 16
@simone10 don't blame ya there, hon.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38469)
• Midland, Michigan
28 Sep 16
I know of a site that helps people develop their craft. I've talked about it before since last month I had to remove about two hundred or more writing items I stored there. They have contests, prompts and classes that only cost pennies. I will share more about this in a pm sometime today.
They also promote nanowrimo and provide many ideas to help you succeed.
Is it possible for you to use the grant you received, but only to take the classes covered by that grant? Or are none of them writing related?
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38469)
• Midland, Michigan
14 Oct 16
@simone10 Let me know whether you join or your name there. I don't check my emails there, so don't email me on that site. You can pm me here if you do join up or have any further questions.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
@MarshaMusselman Ok, thank you so much!
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33355)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
28 Sep 16
Sorry to hear about that. You can check out MOOC and Coursera and take one of those free online creative writing classes at home. There's also ALISON too. Both my brother and father mentioned it to me back in January, but I didn't do it.
A complete list of Massive Open Online Courses (free online courses) offered by the best universities and entities.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
29 Sep 16
I think you have a good plan B!!
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
@Jeanniemaries I hope so! I have a lot of stuff going on right now but I will follow up on it soon.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
9 Oct 16
@simone10 yes, and you'll find it too.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
29 Sep 16
I am glad that you are not giving up on it all together and going to check for free courses online and enter contests. Just keep writing and never give up on that passion.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
27 Oct 16
@Happy2BeMe I think I have found something that might work for me.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
2 Oct 16
I hope you find some other free writing course online..
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118204)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Sep 16
I admire you for not letting a minor setback get you down! It seems like you still have a positive attitude, and will continue to press on! I wish the best of luck on this endeavor!
1 person likes this