Most students look forward to graduating with their friends. Senior Lynette Sikma, however, will finish with someone much closer to home.

Sikma and her mom, Connie, are both graduating next week. Connie finished a year-and-a-half journey, earning her bachelor’s degree in business after a long hiatus from college. Lynette, an English major, plans to go into teaching.

Graduation will be a special celebration as both Sikma and her mom finish years of schooling.

“We were in two different programs. It kind of was exciting; it kind of added to the pressure of both being busy,” said Connie. “It was fun running into each other every now and then. I was at night; she was during day.”

The Professional & Graduate Studies program offered Connie a viable option to finish her undergraduate work. Balancing schoolwork and family was difficult, but it was a realistic goal for her.

“The PGS program was ideal and the only way to do it,” said Connie. “I homeschooled all the kids and still have a couple at home yet. I don’t know if that adds to it more than people that work full time.” Connie said, however, that she will be grateful for graduation as she enjoys not carrying all the books around.

Before going back to school herself, Connie was instrumental in helping her daughter choose Cornerstone.

“My mom really liked the school and wanted me to go here,” said Sikma. “She was the one that set up the tour for me when I was still in high school.”

Sikma thought Cornerstone would be the best choice because she still wanted to stay at home, she said.

“I lived at home for three years,” said Sikma. She moved out for her final year of college. “I just live down the road. We are all really family-oriented.” Sikma said she still sees her mom often, whose career path is strikingly similar to Sikma’s own plans.

Connie’s recent return to college followed years of experiencing life as an adult.

Originally, Connie went to Calvin College when she was 18 years old. At Calvin, Connie said she ironically started as an English major, her daughter’s major, but went on to education.

Shortly after, she married and quit school for awhile.

“I went back and tried to finish,” said Connie. “It just didn’t work out because I had a family. It got busier with each additional member.”

The busyness and attention required to raise a family continued as Connie went back to school through PGS. Sikma recalled the helpfulness from the rest of her family and those around her.

“My dad was really supportive, and my brothers, who are still in high school, helped out with chores,” said Sikma. “My brothers, who are 16 and 17, really helped out a lot with babysitting and family meals.”

Other people also pitched in to help Connie as she worked through school.

“We had a lot of support from the rest of our family and our church,” said Sikma. The relief was credited to their fellow church members at the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Grand Rapids, which meets on Leonard Street at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.

Finishing school at the same time adds to the celebration.

“I am really proud that my mom finished this off and think it is really special that we can finish together,” said Sikma.

The process allowed for Sikma and her mom to clearly understand each other’s situations.

“I think I can identify a little more with the kids,” said Connie. “I can identify with more of the pressure that is always hanging around your head. I really empathize with her.”

Sikma felt similarly. “She could sympathize better when I had a big paper due,” said Sikma. “I could understand her when the house was a little messy or had to fend for ourselves for dinner. It was nice to know that we were in it together.”

Now the college days are coming to an end as the dust and textbook piles finally settle. Sikma plans to attend Grand Valley State University. Connie already homeschooled her kids, and Sikma will carry the teaching torch.

“My plan is to apply at Grand Valley for the master’s program for a teaching certificate,” said Sikma. “I didn’t want to take education classes at an undergraduate level. I thought that would be really tedious.”

Instead, Sikma has her content in English, which is what she wants to teach. “That was my intention [at Cornerstone], to know more about teaching,” said Sikma. She plans to complete the program with a friend who currently attends Grand Valley.

Future plans aside, both Sikma and her mom see life at the end of the podium.

“I am looking forward to the next step in life,” said Sikma. “It is kind of scary knowing what I am going to do next. I was always secure in knowing what was coming next. I guess I’m looking forward to the freedom again and the leisure to enjoy family and friends, and setting goals for myself now that I am accomplished.”

“I am just looking forward to the relief,” said Connie. “You kind of feel like your underwater for a few years, [but] now you’re getting things back on track.”