Mom Finished Her Dream Degree After More Than A Decade

It might have taken 30-year-old mom, Brittney Hinkley, from Central Texas, 12 years to finish college, but it sure is worth it.

An article from KWTX said that just this weekend, this mom finished her dream degree in a pinning ceremony at the Temple College. She completed Surgical Technology, a degree she has been dedicating a lot of effort to since 2011.

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How mom finished her dream degree

Hinkley first entered college in 2008, after graduating from high school. She was enrolled at El Paso Community College and was taking a degree in education. A few years later, she decided to take a break.

In 2011, Brittney decided to go back to college. However, she changed her focus to taking surgical technology. She was studying while working as a patient specialist at the same time. 

She continued studying and taking prerequisites for surgical technology. She was juggling work and school at the same time but was determined that she would finish.

Few years after coming back to studying, Brittney learned that she was pregnant with her first child. On the 20th week of the pregnancy, they discovered that her baby has spina bifida - a condition that sometimes causes partial or complete paralysis. Because of this, Brittney had to stay in bed for the rest of her pregnancy. That also meant she had to forego attending school in person and to work.

Hinkley says it took a huge loss on her plans, but her husband and relatives were very supportive that soon they can say that the family's mom finished her degree. While taking care of her first-born, Oliver, Brittney was taking online classes and finished some of it during the two years that she had to take a break.

In 2016, Hinkley had her second son, Theodore. While taking care of her children, she continued with online classes and was still eyeing to finish her dream degree.

Along with these challenges, Brittney also had to think about how she can afford the surgical technology program of the Temple College.

In 2019, her family was able to save up, and she could be part of the program. She did this while working at the Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Center.

Mom wants to be an inspiration to children

Hinkley says, the ride going to achieving her dream degree was bumpy. It was filled with challenges. However, she was able to overcome this with the support of her husband and family. She also says that the support of her instructors was inspiring; that is why she kept going.

After twelve years of waiting for the momentous finishing off her degree, Hinkley had to take part in a slightly different one because of the COVID-19. She still considers this an unforgettable one. Something that she hopes her children will never forget as well.

Hinkley says, "I can only hope it inspired them never to stop chasing their dreams, no matter how big or small."

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The family's plan after mom finished her dream degree

Now that Brittney has finished the surgical technology program, she had an offer in a hospital in Maine and has accepted it. 

The entire family is moving to Maine soon, so she will not be able to attend the traditional ceremony of the Temple College in August.