For many people, the economic crisis has left no choice but to continue their education. Such is the case of many mothers who have left the kitchen to enter college as first-time students.
Riza Hassel is one mother and wife doing just that. As a current Riverside City College student, Hassel has big plans for her future. She manages a childcare business on top of her family and school. She states, “I’m a busy mother, wife, a student, and business woman. I own and operate a childcare business at home for 15 years now. I imagine myself in less than five years graduated from my major and teaching at a high-ranked university.”
During her free time, she states that she has to deal with masses of college homework while at the same time preparing dinner and caring for the family, a difficult task indeed. “Homework is difficult, but at the same time it’s challenging and inspiring to myself and hopefully to many other students.”
Hassel affirmed that it is a much easier task helping her children with homework since she has become more educated. According to Hassel, she does not experience much stress; she indicates that becoming a student has taught her how to better handle her role as a mother and wife.
Hassel says that she has to be happy with herself and accomplish her goals to be a more fulfilling individual in life.
“I can’t change the past, now I have the future. The past made me the person I am today. Who I am and what I want to be is because of my past.” Hassel said with a big smile on her face, “I will find a better job and great opportunities ahead of me when I finish my major. I will accomplish all of my goals and achieve all of what I want because I have the ability, the fight, and the opportunity this country offers me to do so.”
Statistics indicate that more and more adults decide to come back to college and obtain their certificate in a major. This is very good not only for the economy but for the futures of children as well; these people illustrate how valuable it is to study and how important education is for a better future.
These mothers who are returning to school are inspirational for everyone. Apart from the hard work it takes to be a mother and wife, incorporating these roles with the demands of college work requires as much dedication as receiving a golden globe award.
Hassel says, "I never had the opportunity to go to school when I was younger, but starting now is not hard and is very easy to succeed if one proposes to." Hasel hopes that her story can be a motivating example to others who are doing all they can to create a better future for themselves.
