Staying in school makes sense

Page 12

Lisa Beaucage of Nipissing First Nation is happy she pushed herself to go back to school. She already had her Grade 12, but she needed to change some old habits and develop a stronger focus to go further. She's decided to pursue a psychology degree.

Since December 1999, when Beaucage began working at the Lawrence Commanda Health Centre in her community as a data entry clerk, she knew she would return to school.

She graduates this month as a Community Worker in the Healing and Wellness program at the Anishinabek Educational Institute (AEI), run by Cambrian College.

"Entering into college in September 2000 was a big decision for me to make, as I had two young children, and I was thinking about how hard it was going to be to manage all the challenges I was facing at the time."

Beaucage, 23, said she had doubts she could do it. "I almost didn't go."

But she said her children, a son who will be five in July and a daughter aged three, were the reasons she did.

"I wanted my children to have a good role model. I don't drink or do drugs, so I was already on my way to becoming one. I wanted the youth in my community to have someone to look up to, especially young mothers.

"So I went, not knowing that the experience I was going to have was going to change my life in so many ways.

"As the semesters passed, I found that the better I managed my time, the better I did in school."

Just the same, life at school was not all roses. She had many stresses, such as childhood illnesses, late nights and money issues to contend with while she was a student, but she persevered.

"I believe that it was the Creator's tests he does on us. It gave me strength and encouragement. There were many times I felt like giving up and slacking off."

The course was supposed to be two-and-one-half years long, but because they continued it through the summer months, she completed her last assignment April 26.

Beaucage found the support from her fellow students as well as from staff members, combined with lessons based in traditional teachings, helped see her through. Her spouse and both their families were behind her all the way too.

When she felt like quitting, she said her journal writing sometimes helped. So did talking to her partner, her mother, or one of her classmates.

"Our teachings at AEI were very intense," she said. But they took in all the four directions' teachings, which she found very relevant.

"It was so much better for me to be taught that way. It gave me a better understanding of what was being taught and how I can use these tools in my own personal life. Everything from interpersonal communications to traditional counselling techniques. Being there made me see how much I could grow spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically."

The determined woman said she was quiet and shy when she began. But she found she gained confidence and the ability to ask questions when she didn't understand something.

"I grew, more than I expected."

On the academic side, she says she got "pretty fair" marks. Her lowest grade was a "C," and in her third and most challenging sememster she earned a 4.0 average and an "A" in every subject.

This fall she wants to study psychology through distance university education, which she hopes will lead to a counselling career in her community.

For anyone contemplating returning to school, Beaucage says simply, "Do it. There's a whole other world of opportunities out there by finishing your education."