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dropped off by 8 a.m. That way, I am able to get to school by 8:30 a.m. On the days I start at 8 a.m., I drop off all the children at before care by 7:30 a.m., and my husband picks them up from school or from after care on the days that I have to work after school. So there is a lot of juggling going on to make our schedules work. During the week, I cook two meals every other day, and my oldest daughter and my husband clean the house and do laundry. On most days after work, I go to Barnes & Noble and study until 11 p.m. My husband supervises the children’s homework and makes preparations for the next day’s activities while I focus on my studies. I believe I have been able to pull this off because we approached my going back to school as an endeavor for the whole family, not just for me. • • Light at the End of the Tunnel Two years have gone by, and I have three more weeks before I take my final board exam. Even now, I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is an exciting but terrifying time. Despite my hectic schedule, I decided to host a Thanksgiving celebration for my family and friends. After school on Wednesday, I started getting ev-erything ready, and on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), the turkey and everything else were ready to serve at 5 p.m. This special time made my family very happy, and I was particularly happy that I did not let school interfere with family time. As I approach the end of this journey, I feel some of the pressure coming off my shoulders. As I look back, I can say that dental hy-giene school has not been easy. I succeeded and won the Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award for Clinical Excellence in Dental Hygiene by following these simple routines. I feel that if I could do it with all my challenges, anybody can. For people in my situation who are thinking of returning to school and pursuing their dreams, I say, ‘go do it,’ but before you do: First, prepare yourself mentally and understand that your challenges in school will be different from those of your class-mates. Let your maturity come across when you are at school, speak to your faculty and classmates in a respectful manner, follow the rules and try not to whine or complain a lot. Think ahead and try to make sure that you don’t use your children as an excuse for not doing anything or leaving school early unless it is a true emergency. In order to maintain an even keel, be sure to study daily so that you will not end up cramming material the night before tests and quizzes. Make time to take care of your husband, be-cause when he is happy, he will help you more and schoolwork will be less stressful. Make time for your children, and spoil them a little when you can, because your time being away is hard for them too. Stay neutral in school, and be nice to all of your classmates because it goes a long way—you never know when you might need one of them to step up for you. I am looking forward to the day after I take my last board exam with great relief. I believe my entire family, especially my husband, shares the same sentiment, perhaps even more so than me. My hus-band has been my backbone throughout this journey. He was my first patient and was always the one who would call off work and cover for me when I had a last minute cancellation. You need the cooperation of everyone: spouse, children, family and friends to make this work. It takes a village to get through dental hygiene school. Yvonne Tar is a dental hygiene student at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The faculty mentor for this edition of Strive is Lois Dondiego, BASDH, RDH, CDA, instructor, Allied Dental Education, School of Health Related Professions University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. n OrascOptic innovation 2012: a year of exciting products and stylish new looks orascoptic is proud to introduce these great new products to our line of award-winning tools for dentists and hygienists. for over 30 years, orascoptic has been the trusted name in loupes and lights, and these innovations continue that tradition. the first fashion loupe designed for women suby fashiOn spOrts frames Schedule an appointment today with your local sales representative to see these exciting new products for yourself. orascoptic.com/access3 ZeOn ® endeavOur ™ Led headLight our smaLLest and Lightest led headlight on the Market ©2012 Metrex research, llc 800.369.3698 • orascoptic.com 2/6/12 10:45 AM Mar12_innovation.indd 1

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