Hello everyone:

Today’s blog asks a very important question: How supportive is your significant other as you complete your college education? I was in college when I met my hubby, but, as we got serious, my college education took a back seat to our romance. It took 20 years for me to be able to return to college; that’s a long time to wait!

If you are married, of course, you don’t want to get a divorce over the issue of being in school, but if you have an un-supportive person in your life such as a casual boyfriend or girlfriend, you may wish to rethink your relationship.

Does your significant other encourage your academic pursuits or does that individual look for ways to set up roadblocks? Does the person sigh heavily every time you say you need to study or does that person help with the chores so you can focus on your classes? Does the person make snide comments about the time you are taking away from him or her or does your Sugar Plum say that he or she appreciates your commitment to the future? Does your sweetie seem jealous of your accomplishments in the classroom or does he or she applaud your every success?

These are things to think about and ponder. Is college worth it? You bet it is! The intangible rewards are tremendous, as you become more self-confident, become better organized, increase your interpersonal communication skills, and gain greater self-esteem. The tangible rewards, such as better and more gainful employment, also make the journey you are on worthwhile. You can do this!

I would love to hear how your significant other has helped you on this road. What has he or she done to support your classwork? Let’s share some ideas that might help others. [One thing that I did was to set a timer for how much longer I needed to study. That way, when my hubby wanted to go out to enjoy the day, I could tell him, “I need to study for 30 more minutes; then I can go.” It kept him happy, knowing that there was an end in sight that day and we really could have some time together.]

Best,

Dr. Sheri