As a single mother of four, Linda Bradley, 44, said her decision to return to school four years ago at UW-Madison for a bachelor's degree was \the only logical choice.""
""I had lots of skills, lots of experience,"" Linda Bradley said, ""but I didn't have the education that would allow me to secure a job that would support my family.""
After attending SOAR with her daughter Nicole Bradley, 22, she announced she would be joining Nicole at UW-Madison to double major in consumer science and family and consumer journalism.
""At first, I was a little bothered and embarrassed about her going back to school here at UW because it was my first time away from home and my first chance to be on my own,"" Nicole Bradley said. ""But I quickly got over my selfishness when I realized that this was not only something she really wanted to do, but something she needed to do, for herself and the rest of us kids.""
Achieving a degree has meant sacrifices for the Bradleys, including a move to a new city, less time with Mom and less spending money. But, it also means extra time together for winter and summer breaks.
""Sometimes you have to make sacrifices,"" Nicole Bradley said, ""but that's what it means to be a family. You stick by each other no matter what ... your family is sometimes all you have.""
They will be sticking together to the end when they receive their diplomas together this May.
""It was quite an honor when she asked me to graduate with her,"" Linda Bradley said. ""In fact, I've done 18 credits for the last two semesters so that I can graduate a semester early.""
As far as her other children are concerned, Linda Bradley said, ""I would like to think that my going to school has impressed upon them the importance of getting an education.""
While often the only returning adult student in her classes, she is one of nearly 2,000 returning adult students at UW-Madison, a group that makes up nearly 5 percent of the undergrad population. Returning adult students are defined as students 25 and over or that have been out of school for at least two years.
To help returning students make a smooth transition to UW-Madison, the Department of Continuing Studies on campus reaches out to these adults through recruitment efforts and scholarship programs. According to Pat Fessenden, DCS assistant dean, despite a bad economy and worries about financing an education, the number of returning adult students on campus has remained steady over the past few years.
""Some adults stop attending school when it's a tight economy because money is tight,"" Fessenden said. ""Other adults tell us that when they are nervous about a downturn in the economy or layoffs, they take a new class or two to make themselves more viable on the job market.""
Linda Bradley said, ""You are constantly trying to accommodate school, evening exams, special projects, work, housework and all that goes with being a mother. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done.""
According to Nicole Bradley, her mom has done a wonderful job balancing everything, and she looks forward to graduating with her in May.
""The real reason I asked her to walk with me,"" Nicole Bradley said, ""is because we have shared the past four and a half years of college together, and it only seemed right that we should graduate together as well. She has worked so hard and succeeded where others thought she would fail. I am so proud of her and it will be an honor to share that moment with her in front of our family and friends. It really means the world to me.\
