Not My Fault

posted March 28th, 2018 at 3:55 AM

Today I learned Algebra for the first time. I’m 41 years old. I was really good at it. I completed and passed an online foundation module in 6 hours. Two giant tears welled up in my eyes. One rolled down my cheek and onto my keyboard. It was not my fault. My parents moved around a lot. From grade 1 to grade 10, I went to 13 schools. I was a nervous kid and the doctors wanted to put me on Ritalin but I never did. I dropped out of high school and never returned. Years later, I moved to New Zealand. I became a citizen there and completed an undergraduate degree at the age of 35. I graduated with honours. But today, when I learned Algebra for the first time. That made me cry.

6 Comments

Congratulations

Mar 28, 2018 at 9:39am

Great accomplishment! Don't know you but regardless, am very proud of you.

Fellow Traveler

Mar 28, 2018 at 10:45am

Yep, I had a chaotic childhood too, and my grades suffered from it. We were poor, moved around a lot, and my sister and I also dealt with lots of abusive family members who my mom kept bringing around. My mom had kids too early, was really immature, and would always drag us along to late-night parties so she could have fun instead of letting us do homework or get enough rest for school. I was a nervous, socially awkward outcast at school too.
I failed every math class in school. I completed an undergraduate decree in humanities at age 32 and found out that its useless to employers. You have to be good at math to do the kinds of jobs that are in demand today. I took math upgrading courses at Douglas College at age 35 and had to start with grade 1 math. I'm glad you've found success, but I recently failed my Business Math class. My tears, unfortunately, have not been tears of joy lately.

Anonymous

Mar 28, 2018 at 10:54am

Congratulations!!!
You are a role model for others and are a reminder that it's never to late in life to gain knowledge.

Hugs

Mar 28, 2018 at 11:36am

Wow, congratulations on the degree. Every article on parenting I've read can't emphasize stability enough when raising a child. Sometime I wish people would have to take a course before being issued a licence before bringing a child in this world. We need certification or licence for everything else but nor parenting?

Great job!

Mar 28, 2018 at 1:30pm

Way to go!
Algebra is tricky,
I took algebra 11 twice and failed both times but my school took pity on me and passed me so that I could graduate. Back then Algebra 11 was a requirement for high school graduation.

My childhood was also not the most conducive to learning as I changed schools many times as well and did not receive any tutoring for math which I think I needed.

Congratulations on your success!