Let me introduce you to Corinne Perez. Free time isn't something she's had a lot of in recent years. With four children at home, Corinne worked full time when she first took a UCR Extension course back in 1997.

At the time, she had just been promoted and began handling product liability claims after years of working in customer service and quality assurance. She took the Extension course "Fundamentals of Law for the Legal Profession" to see if it would help her with the terminology and issues related to handling claims.

"It opened up a whole new avenue for me," she said. "I never had considered becoming a paralegal before that class."

Not long after taking the first course, Corinne made the decision to pursue the entire Extension Paralegal Certificate. "I would take one or two classes each quarter," she said.

Despite juggling her family and work responsibilities with her studies, Corinne says she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"It was enjoyable due to the relationships built with other students having similar goals and the pleasure of meeting outstanding teachers," she said.

Today, she works for the same company, but she is now a legal assistant and her responsibilities and income have increased since earning the certificate.

"I have even come back to Extension for a course on contract law," she said. "I don't need the credits, but I wanted the knowledge."

When her friends tell her they are thinking about going back to school, but are concerned it will take years to finish, she tells them to go ahead and start while they are thinking about it. "The time passes quickly and before you know it, you've accomplished a goal you set for yourself," she said. "For me it was an experience well worth the effort."

Corinne is right. The seasons will change and time will pass whether you are improving yourself or just thinking about it. Time is precious to all of us and while it continues to pass by too quickly for many of us, we might as well make the most of it.