Skip to main content

When Your College Assignment Becomes a Blog Post (Because Why Not Double-Dip?)


When Your College Assignment Becomes a Blog Post (Because Why Not Double-Dip?)

So here's the deal - I've got this assignment for my final semester at Ottawa University where I'm supposed to reflect on my "college journey." insert eye roll here But you know what? This is actually kind of perfect for the blog because holy shit, what a ride it's been.

Picture this: 2015, middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin (specifically Lac du Flambeau reservation), and there I am - a high school dropout with more issues than National Geographic - deciding to take an EMT course. Why? Because it was free, and free is my favorite price point. Plot twist: I actually passed it. Mind. Blown.

Let me tell you about EMT training, because that shit was wild. Imagine a bunch of adults crawling around on floors, strapping each other to boards, and aggressively pumping on dummies. It's like BDSM meets healthcare, minus the safe word. But it introduced me to the special brand of dark humor you only find in emergency medicine. There's something about regularly asking "So... is anyone else hungry?" after particularly graphic trauma scenarios that bonds people for life.

That success went straight to my head, and I thought, "Hey, maybe I could do more school!" Classic mistake, right? Started chasing a Medical Assistant degree because apparently, I hate myself. Spoiler alert: Got taken down by a typing test. Yes, you read that right. A TYPING TEST. In an age where autocorrect practically writes our grocery lists, some sadist decided perfect typing speed matters. To whoever invented typing tests: I hope both sides of your pillow are warm. Forever.

But here's where it gets interesting (and by interesting, I mean tragically hilarious). I switched to substance use counseling courses because - get this - I thought I could "fix" my then-husband. pause for collective laughter Yeah, because that's totally how addiction works. Oh, and let's be real - I was also in it for that sweet, sweet financial aid money. Single mom survival tactics 101, am I right?

Speaking of being a single mom - holy shit, what a juggling act. There I was, trying to balance work, school, and kids, failing spectacularly at times. My solution? Material gifts! Because nothing says "Sorry Mommy's always working" like throwing presents at the problem. Spoiler alert: had to actually learn how to parent eventually. But watching my kids emerge from dysfunction into these amazing human beings? Worth every sleep-deprived moment. Special shoutout to my oldest who rocks the autism spectrum and can info-dump like a champion - you're basically a walking Wikipedia and I'm here for it.

The real kicker? I'm sitting in class one day, thinking I'm absolutely crushing it (narrator: she wasn't), when this professor drops this bomb: "You have to be healthier than your clients." Well, shit. Talk about a reality check that feels like getting hit with a baseball bat wrapped in truth and wrapped again in "get your life together."

Let's talk about online learning because that deserves its own special circle of hell. My dog ate my homework - literally ate my computer cord. I've lost more assignments to tech failures than I care to count. I've bought computers, lost computers, had internet, didn't have internet, and pulled out enough hair to make a small wig. To all my classmates whose discussion posts I've read at 3 AM: some of you are secret geniuses, and some of you... well, I'm genuinely concerned about how you found the power button.

The real fire under my ass came when I was working in residential treatment and realized my in-training license was about to expire. Nothing quite motivates you like the threat of career death, am I right? Four years of intense work in residential - loving it but feeling like I'd been put through an emotional wood chipper - and I wasn't about to let it slip away.

But you want to know the real gag? This high school dropout, this former addict from the backwoods of Wisconsin, now owns a house. Has a car that actually runs. Works not one, but two jobs she actually loves (shocking, I know). I'm talking patient-centered outpatient treatment where they actually let me have autonomy (dangerous, I know), and this cool gig with an online recovery platform called IGNDT where I get to be an accountability coach. Plot twist: I'm actually good at this stuff.

The most unexpected thing I've learned? That I'm not a failure. I know, weird right? Turns out all that stuff about core values and dysfunction we learn about in counseling hits different when you're unpacking your own baggage while helping others with theirs.

None of this would've happened without my significant other - the real MVP who's been holding down the fort and consistently telling me I can do this while I've been slowly losing my mind over the past six years. Having someone actually proud of you? That shit hits different when you're not used to it.

So yeah, this is technically a college assignment. But it's also a middle finger to everyone who said I couldn't do it. It's a love letter to second chances. And it's proof that sometimes the most messed up starting points lead to the best stories.

P.S. - To my professor who's reading this (because hi, this is also my assignment): See how I reflected on my journey AND maintained my brand voice? That's what we call efficiency. Or rebellion. Maybe both. Also, thanks for making me write this because turns out, I've come a pretty long way from that person who thought a typing test was going to end her career.-Belle- 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I'm an Addict and I'm Not Sorry

I'm an Addict and I'm Not Sorry Let's get real for a second. If you're reading this, chances are you or someone you love has been through the wringer of addiction. And if that's the case, you know that the worst part isn't the withdrawals, the failed relationships, or those awful, gut-wrenching moments of clarity on the bathroom floor. It's the shame. Oh, the shame. It's like someone poured gasoline all over your soul and lit a match. Well, I'm here to tell you something: fuck the shame. No, really. Fuck it right in the ear. You don't need that kind of toxic garbage holding you back anymore. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm an addict. I've done some bad shit. I've lied, I've stolen, I've woken up in strange places with even stranger people. But you know what? I'm still a person. I'm still a person who deserves to be happy, to love and be loved, to leave something better than I found it. Look, you can't change...

Ok, I am sober... Now who the Hell am I?

  Recovery: The Journey to Rediscover Ourselves Recovery is not just a word; it's a mosaic of personal stories, each tile reflecting the light of hope and resilience. As a former addict turned substance use disorder counselor, I have navigated the tumultuous seas of addiction and now anchor others as they set sail towards the shores of sobriety. Why do we seek recovery? The reasons are as varied as the individuals asking themselves this profound question. For some, it is the pursuit of health, for others, the mending of relationships torn asunder by the tempest of dependency. We embark on this journey because something precious has been lost to us – peace, self-worth, or perhaps the very essence of who we are. At its core, recovery is about discovery. It's a quest to reclaim what was taken from us and to unearth the treasures we've always held within. It's not just about abstaining from a substance; it's about embracing life in its fullest expression. It's ab...

To the Next Wave—A Letter to the Ones Who’ve Been There

To the Next Wave—A Letter to the Ones Who’ve Been There Let’s be honest: nobody grows up dreaming of becoming a peer support specialist, recovery coach, or harm reduction advocate. Most of us didn’t even dream of surviving. But here we are, standing upright(ish), coffee in hand, and suddenly there’s a new conversation in the field—one that’s about us. Wisconsin’s catching up to what most of us have known for years: people with lived experience are the secret sauce in real recovery work. As of 2025, Medicaid here is rolling out new coverage for peer recovery coach services, which means agencies can finally hire people like you—and bill for your work, not just your war stories. Certified Peer Specialists in Wisconsin (yes, it’s a real title—and you get a certificate and everything) are now recognized professionals using their own histories to walk alongside people still in the trenches. There are even training programs, recertification requirements, and a growing demand for people who “g...