Three years ago, I embarked on a terrifying journey: becoming a college student at the age of 50 after only having an 8th-grade education and spending 35 years in a totalitarian cult. After three years of hard work, long nights, tears, and wanting to give up so many times, I have earned an associate's degree from NYU. I'm now working on my bachelor's degree. I desperately wanted a higher education for many years but didn't move forward because I feared I was not smart enough. Even though I had managed to leave Scientology, three decades of brainwashing still gripped my mind. I feel so grateful to have gotten the support I needed from my family and friends, including my mom, my step-father George, my sisters Nicole and Shannon, my husband Angelo, and most of all, my little nugget, my daughter Sofia. So many of you have gotten me through the most challenging times. I have read many of your comments and drawn inspiration from them. I couldn't have done this without the support of my therapist, who provided the support and tools that prevented me from giving up early on. Thank you to the professors and staff at NYU and my amazing tutor. I know I am in a position of privilege that has offered me the flexibility to do this. But over the past three years, I've heard from thousands of people, especially women, who have decided to take the leap at an older age and get their GED or pursue a college education. Whether a cult used to control your life, you have a full-time job as a stay-at-home parent, or full-time job(s) outside of the home, it's never too late to continue your education and pursue what you have always wanted to achieve for yourself!
Congratulations @LeahRemini I got my degree in 2014 I was 61 years old. I had a GED as I got married at 16 and had two sons at the age of 18. I worked all types of jobs mostly food service and was lucky at the age of 55 offered a job at a college to run their food service. Five years later the VP of Finance offered me a position in her office as her assistant at that time I had over the years went to college on and off and needed just 6 hrs for an associate degree the VP encouraged me to continue my education and I did. I am still at the college I am now the business office mgr/ director of purchasing ...Life is good
Congratulations Leah!!! I went to NYU one year, studied under Stella Adler.. I then went to community colleges on and off for the next 25 years. At 50 I got my MA ED thru University of Phoenix, after getting my BA in Business. I had carpel tunnel in both wrists and waited until I completed the degree to get surgery. Very proud of your tenacity... Much love to you and your family.
@LeahRemini @Bine246 @NYUSPS @nyuniversity Wow! Those are amazing feats! First managing to leave Scientology and then fulfilling your dream and finishing college! Congratulations 🧡
@LeahRemini @NYUSPS @nyuniversity You are great example 👍 you deserve all the best life has to offer. God Bless you Leah. 🙏
@LeahRemini @TexanScottie @NYUSPS @nyuniversity You go girl !!!! I love it !!!!
@LeahRemini @NYUSPS @nyuniversity I still remember when you called me to tell me the news three years ago. I was crying then and I'm crying now! I am so, so proud of you. Witnessing you go through the process of relearning how to learn has been so inspiring. I love you!
@LeahRemini @schnickgingle @NYUSPS @nyuniversity What was the totalitarian cult?