Mother of three earns high school and college degrees to realize childhood dreamDecember 11, 2017

Nicole Arizpe would change the subject quickly when her children asked her about high school and college. 

“I was embarrassed to tell them that I dropped out of school in the 9th grade,” said Arizpe.  “I always wanted to finish high school and then go to college, but I never had the courage to take the first step.  When I would be in the car driving down Garfield and pass the Midland College sign that reads, ‘Your College,’ I would think to myself, ‘Midland College could be my college,’ but it was always just a wish. 

“One day, my oldest son Sebastian, Jr., who was then 12, asked me about high school and college, and even though I tried to change the subject, he kept asking.  So, I had to tell him that I didn’t finish high school.  I said ‘But I’m going to go back to school.’”

Nicole kept her promise to her son, and in early 2012, she began taking high school equivalency classes at the Midland College Cogdell Learning Center.  In early May right before Mother’s Day, she passed the GED® exam. 

“I printed the results of my exam and put them in a picture frame,” explained Arizpe.  “Then, I gave the frame to my mom for Mother’s Day.  I was such a rebellious teenager, and I know that I was a ‘challenge’ for my parents.  Of course, they were disappointed that I didn’t finish high school, so passing that GED• exam was a milestone for all of us.

“I remember thinking, ‘Okay, I’ve done it—now I have a high school diploma!’  I wasn’t thinking of going to college right away, but Anita Martinez, the advisor at Cogdell encouraged me to apply to Midland College and enroll in courses.  So, in August 2012, I started taking college courses.”

Arizpe said that ever since she was a small child she had wanted to be a nurse; however, during her “rebellious” teen years, that dream faded.  Once she began taking college courses, the dream of being a nurse suddenly seemed attainable once again.

“I was determined to get into Midland College’s Associate Degree Nursing program so that I could become a registered nurse,” state Arizpe.  “It took me four years to get accepted.  I had to take developmental math courses, and my instructor Connie Sanchez was so supportive.  She really made math make sense to me, and I was able to get the fundamentals I needed in order to progress in more math classes and also science classes.  I took all the prerequisite courses needed to be admitted to the associate degree nursing program.  I took the TEAS [Test of Essential Academic Skills] three times before I passed, but I FINALLY got accepted!”

Nicole Arizpe was one step closer to her dream of becoming a nurse.  In January 2016, she began taking nursing classes at Midland College. 

“Nursing school is very rigorous,” said Arizpe.  “It takes a lot of time, and I felt guilty that I wasn’t able to do “mom’ things for my children.  My husband Sebastian was very supportive, and he stepped in to help with taking our children to the doctor and picking them up from school.  It wasn’t easy.  Sebastian has his own landscaping company, and sometimes he would miss business opportunities because he was helping with the children.”

Nicole and Sebastian have three children:  Sebastian, Jr., age 18; Matthew, age 16; and Adrianna, age 14.

“My sons encouraged me throughout my college experience, but Adrianna had a hard time because she felt a little ‘cheated’ out of quality mom time,” said Arizpe.  “However, not long ago, Adrianna came to me and said ‘I’m so proud of you.’  I think we both cried!”

Family is important to Arizpe.  She enjoys watching her children’s sports activities.  Matthew plays soccer for Midland High School, and Adrianna plays basketball for Midland Freshman High School.

“My favorite pastime is being with my family, and, unfortunately, I haven’t had as much time to do that as I would have liked while I was in nursing school,” said Arizpe.

Arizpe said that there were times when she didn’t think she could juggle family and school, but her mother and aunt came to the rescue. 

“I’ll never be able to thank them enough,” said Arizpe.  “They cooked meals and washed clothes.  They basically helped Sebastian keep the house running smoothly.  I am so grateful to them!”

Nicole Arizpe has just a few more days of college left before she graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing.  On Thursday, December 14, she will receive her nursing pin and be the first person in her family to graduate from college.  In mid-February, she plans to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses and then she would like to work in community health or in a hospital’s post-surgical unit.

“It’s been six years since I had to confess to my son that I didn’t finish high school,” explained Arizpe.  “But now, I can proudly tell my children that I have a high school diploma and a college degree.  I share the degree with my entire family because they have had to make sacrifices right along with me.  At Thursday evening’s pinning ceremony, we will celebrate our victory!”