Returning to school decades later, daunting yet possible
Graduate Profile: Jennifer Blake
Nearly three decades after attending Governors State University (GovState) for additional coursework, Jennifer Blake returned to GovState for her master's in Addictions Studies.
The idea of going back to school amidst her life as a wife, mother, and full-time employee made Jennifer hesitant, yet the university's flexible class schedule allowed her to balance it all.
As she approaches graduation with greater self-confidence, Jennifer reminds herself that everyone is a work in progress and there is no set timeline to living a fulfilling life.
GovState Newsroom: What attracted you to Governors State University?
Jennifer: I attended GovState in the early 90s for additional coursework when my husband and I bought our house near Joliet, Illinois because several of our family and friends attended GovState and had a very positive experience. I was aware of the flexibility in terms of evening and online coursework offered. Since I returned in 2021 as an online student via my employment tuition-waiver program, I have found GovState to be a community of higher learning, which promotes diversity, humility, and positive social impact.
GovState Newsroom: What song will always remind you of this time in your life?
Jennifer: I have two. Tauren Wells’ song “Hills and Valleys” and CeCe Winans’ song “I’ve Got Joy”. As an adult learner I found that I questioned if I had what it took to return to school, I struggled with justifying the time I took away from family and friends to focus on my studies, and I still doubt at times if I can be a good addiction counselor.
These songs help me to remember that we must be true to ourselves about who we are, who we want to be, and what makes us feel alive and actively seek and act daily in ways which affirm this. These songs remind me that we are all a work in progress, we all have a different contribution to make, and we never have to do it alone. Today, I am much more at peace with who I am, confident in my ability to make a unique contribution in my work, and grateful for the love and support I am able to receive from my loved ones.
GovState Newsroom: What are your dreams for your degree?
Jennifer: To mindfully play an active role in the loving, healing, and transforming power of addiction treatment and recovery for all individuals struggling with this life trial. To advocate for societal systemic changes which embrace diversity, equity, dignity, and inclusion and work to prevent acts of marginalization, discrimination, physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse, stigma, and racism which fuel addiction.
Braveman, Arkin, Proctor, Kauh, and Holm (2022) keenly highlight some current examples of how racism manifests structurally in our society such as residential segregation, unfair lending practices and other barriers to home ownership and accumulating wealth, schools' dependence on local property taxes, environmental injustice, biased policing and sentencing of men and boys of color, and voter suppression policies. It is my belief as a future addiction counselor that it is my duty to speak in favor of all changes which we as a society need to make to end addiction.
GovState Newsroom: What advice would you give to current and/or future GovState students?
Jennifer: Reach out to your professors, staff, and fellow students to connect. We all need support, guidance, and help to live healthy lives. Practice self-care daily. Take time to unplug for moments throughout your day, check in with yourself emotionally and physically, and just breathe.
Living a fully engaged life is a blessing but requires self-compassion, humility, and acceptance of yourself as you are with your strengths and your weaknesses. Maintain an authentic life by engaging in activities which feed your soul, ease your mind, and bring purpose and meaning to your life such as spending time with family and friends, time in nature, and singing - even if you are tone-deaf like me.