What Do You Want to Learn Today?
About the Project
If you could do your education over again, what would you do differently?
During the 2008-2009 academic year, I took the opportunity to explore this question. At age 28, I realized that I was an unhappy workaholic who had lost sight of my dreams. I knew that my tendencies toward stress, overachieving, and poor self-care had started way back in school. I sensed that I had to return to the scene of the crime to get my life back on track.
I decided to go back to each of my old schools as a grown-up in order to understand how school influenced the person I became, and to reinvent that person from scratch. It was like pressing the reset button and getting a do-over.
The fall was about the past. I spent around a week in each grade, from kindergarten to college. I triggered old memories by doing whatever the kids did, on the classroom and the playground, and sorting through old photos and journals. My goal was to face painful regrets and let them go, and to reconnect with the playfulness and creativity I’d had naturally as a kid.
The spring was about the future. By trial and error, I began to figure out what lifestyle suits me best. I reconnected with old hobbies and started learning the things I’d always wanted to. I did things that I’d never imagined I’d ever do, like moving from my native California to Mississippi. Slowly, I learned to take care of myself and do things that I love every day.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been learning by doing, things that I never thought I would have the time, money, or courage to learn: guitar, musical theater, and more. I’ve been plugging into politics and trying out a new career as a freelance writer.
By sharing my experiences through a blog and later in a book, I hope to encourage others to reshape their own learning and self-image at any age. As I write about my own transformative experiences, I would love for you to share memories of school, knowledge, and resources of your own, so please comment on any posts that inspire you.
Reschool Yourself has become more of an attitude and a lifestyle in itself than a finite project. It’s a statement that regardless of your educational past, it’s never too late to reschool yourself.
For more details on the project, check out the FAQ section. To donate, visit the Sponsor page.
Updated 11.2.09
Natasha
January 31st, 2008 at 10:32 am
i am so excited about this! this is going to be AMAZING, and I will be following your journey.
Chris
February 1st, 2008 at 7:11 am
Such an inspirational project — I can’t wait to live vicariously through you as you do it!
Gillie
February 1st, 2008 at 7:14 am
Melia, I’m so proud of you (and a little jealous, I can’t lie)! This is going to be incredible.
Minji Wong
February 1st, 2008 at 9:03 am
Hi Melia,
Your possibility is amazing and I look forward to hearing about all the beautiful experiences that you’ll see by reinventing yourself. Awesome work!
-Minji Wong
Laura
February 1st, 2008 at 9:47 am
Melia, this is going to be amazing for you and fascinating for us. I’m eagerly awaiting the business you create after your adventure to teach us how - logistically and financially - to do this ourselves. Oh the money you could make getting us out of our real lives and into the ones we dream of living! I’m fairly certain I’m looking more forward to your next year than my own; what an inspiring adventure we all get to follow.
Bennett
February 1st, 2008 at 10:02 am
This is really cool Melia, definitely a great idea for the makings of a best selling book. I can’t wait to see how this turns out for you!
Emilia
February 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am
I’m so excited to follow your journey! I know we could all benefit from exploring how we are a product of our life experiences and education- I look forward to learning along side!
Ben
February 1st, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Melia, this is going to be amazing, ‘brace yourself!’
-Ben.
Kanwar Singh
February 11th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Melia — this is terrific. Not only is this a great idea but it’s going to be very rewarding on a personal level. I’m quite envious! I can’t wait to read the updates.
Rob
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Wow - that is pretty inspirational!
Sounds like an exciting life!
Rob
Alicia
March 12th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I’m so excited for you! This is basically what I’ve thought I’d love to do for a while now–travel around according to my own interests and blog about it. However, I’d never write a book about it and I don’t have the contacts/network. Go for it!!! I’ll be enthusiastically waiting for new updates and the chance to help out.
Stephen
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
This is going to be such an amazing opportunity!!!!! I’ve already loved reading literally EVERYTHING on the site thus far. This is definitely something I would like to do when I’m old and gray, to just go back and recap my entire life and chronicle all the events. How awesome…
Kathleen
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Ok, I already expressed how I think this is awesome when I saw you … a few days ago. But your website is now waaaay amazing too. So excited for you. Good luck!
Shannon Beitchman
September 10th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Melia, this is soooo awesome! I am so excited for you and I can’t wait to read the updates and hear your stories!
Jennifer
September 26th, 2009 at 7:09 am
I’ve always felt that one of the best ways to move forward is to go backward for a bit. I call it The Slingshot Effect.
Melia
September 26th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I love the idea of The Slingshot Effect; I’d never thought of it that way. You pull back a bit, set your target intentionally, and spring forward. Awesome analogy.