Things Aren't Working Out As I Planned

@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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
Since I don't work, I was hoping that I would have enough pell grant money to cover it but that wasn't the case. I am looking into an alternative.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
28 Sep 16
I'm sorry to hear this Sharon, I know how you were looking forward to it. I'm sure you'll be able to find some free stuff on line.
3 people like this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
Thank you Janet! I was really looking forward to it and was excited about starting this month. I am looking into trying to find something online.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48226)
• Canada
28 Sep 16
Debt is never a good thing to take on, and as we age, our focus shifts from debt to savings so I cannot blame you for having a change of heart.
2 people like this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
It was a hard decision to make but the right one I think. At 60 years old, I don't need or want any extra debt. If I was younger and able to work, it might be different.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9023)
• United States
30 Sep 16
That stinks you had to drop out, but you can always go back. I too would hate to get a big debt like that.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
17 Oct 16
@mom210 I am going to check further and see what I can find.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
It was through a University and the cost would end up being way too much for me.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9023)
• United States
10 Oct 16
@simone10 what about community college? Or scholarships?
1 person likes 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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
Thanks so much for your help! I have saved both of those sites in my favorites so that I can look them over later.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
28 Oct 16
1 person likes this
@just4him (303348)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Oct 16
@simone10 You're welcome
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
28 Sep 16
I am so sorry to hear that. Don't give up, go ahead a start writing. You never know what you can do until you try.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
11 Oct 16
I know that I have it in me, it's just finding a way to bring it out. That's why I thought if I took classes in creative writing, it would help me.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
@HazySue I have thought about a book and will go to the library soon to see what I can find out.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39269)
• Gouverneur, New York
13 Oct 16
@simone10 A creative writing class is a great place to start. It might help to look for a book about creative writing.
1 person likes this
• 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
• 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.
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
Thank you so much about Khan Academy!! I just looked over it briefly and it looks like it can give me some help. I also like some of the other classes offered.
@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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
Thanks! I know you have mentioned it before and I will check it out.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454915)
• Switzerland
28 Sep 16
I am very sorry that you had to renounce to this project, but I think you took the right decision. Being in debt is not a good idea.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454915)
• Switzerland
11 Oct 16
@simone10 This is true, there are online classes that are free, I am sure you are going to find something that you like.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
17 Oct 16
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
11 Oct 16
I'm not giving up. I know there has to be something online that is free and can help or that I can use my pell grant for.
1 person likes this
• 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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
It was really sad news and I was a little disappointed but there wasn't anything I could do but drop out. At 60, I'm not going to have a huge debt that I don't even know if I can pay back. I don't want that stress or worry.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Oct 16
@simone10 don't blame ya there, hon.
1 person likes this
• 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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
The grant is split up over 5 semesters and it doesn't fully cover even one class. I would be really interested in that website you are referring to. I sent you a PM.
1 person likes this
• 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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
11 Oct 16
Thank you!! I will check into it and I really appreciate the information.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33355)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
11 Oct 16
@simone10 My pleasure. Hope it helps.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Sep 16
I think you have a good plan B!!
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
Thank you! I know there has to be something out there that will help me.
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
• 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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
No, I haven't given up completely. It's just a matter of finding what I need.
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
21 Oct 16
@simone10 You will! :)
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Sep 16
I'm sorry to hear that you won't be able to do the courses. Hopefully you can figure things out and apply again.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
9 Oct 16
@simone10 good luck. I hope you are able to find something.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
@dodo19 Thank you! I have a lot going on right now but I will check on it as soon as I can.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
I am trying to see what other options I have online and I'm hoping I will find something.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
29 Sep 16
I can share with your feeling . If it will make us bury into a debt , then we should just look for another alternative .
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90727)
• Philippines
10 Oct 16
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
I couldn't agree more and I am hoping to be able to find another alternative.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
2 Oct 16
I hope you find some other free writing course online..
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
Thank you! I am currently looking for other options.
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
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
Thank you and thanks for the kind words. I am hoping I will be able to find something online that will not cost much or free would be great.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99437)
• Atlanta, Georgia
29 Sep 16
You made a wise choice, many people are paying for student loans far into the future.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
9 Oct 16
At my age, I don't need to be thousands of dollars in debt. Especially since I can't work.
@crafty01 (480)
• Jamshedpur, India
29 Sep 16
Best of luck.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
21 Oct 16
Thank you so much!