Chapter 43: Advising

August – Age 19 – Sophomore Year

"Hi, Mr. Hudson, come on in and take a seat," Ms. Pershing greeted. She was his advisor in the social work program. "Let's look at how you've done at the first year. I see you've taken winter as well as summer classes."

"Yes, I'm trying to make the most of my time here," Finn replied.

"And you've done well," she commented. "Only one B so far."

"Stats kicked my butt," Finn commented lightly.

"Tricky class indeed," Ms. Pershing agreed. "Do you have a class schedule for the fall?"

"Yeah," Finn said. "Advanced Spanish 1, Human behavior in social environment 1, adolescent development, topics in social work, and sociology of adolescence transition into adulthood."

"That's quite a course load," she said. "Are you going to do morning or evening sessions."

"Evening sessions," Finn replied. "My girlfriend has mornings so one of us can be there for our daughter."

"We do offer child care services," Ms. Pershing informed him. When she found the literature in the desk, she gave it to him. "How old is your daughter?"

"She's three and a half."

"We do offer preschool classes as well," she said. "Once she turns four."

"We were hoping to maybe try day-care in the spring."

"If you want to try, all you have to do is go register her and anyone authorized to pick her up needs to go register as well."

"I'll definitely have to talk this over with my girlfriend," Finn agreed.

"You seem to be taking on a heavy course load," She commented. "Is that going alright?"

"It was rough figuring things out last fall," Finn began. "We each had a mini breakdown. But it's been working well. We've been getting good grades. We are just trying to get all done that we can so we can start our careers, and raise Charlotte with everything needed."

"You sound like quite a determined young man," Ms. Pershing said. "I don't see many cases like you go through my office. I find myself wanting to help you get through. By the looks of it, you can graduate spring after next if you keep up your summer and winter courses. Also, I'll help arrange your field studies."

"That would be awesome," Finn said. I'll have Santana ask her mentor about how her classes are going."

"Who does she have?"

"Mr. Wronkowski," Finn said. "She meets with him tomorrow."

"I'll give him a call then and we'll see what we can gather."

"I appreciate you meeting with me, Ms. Pershing," Finn said, asking her hands. "Thank you."

"No problem, Mr. Hudson," she replied, returning the handshake. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to e-mail me or drop by during office hours."

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"Ms. Lopez, come on in," Mr. Wronkowski announced. "How are you?"

"I'm doing alright," she replied, entering his office and taking a seat next to his desk.

"Do you have a class list worked up?"

"I do," she pulled out her schedule she wanted, with the registration numbers. "Biochemistry, pathopharmacology 1, physics 2, organic chemistry 2, and nursing agency 2."

"You really like difficult semesters," he chuckled. "I'm just trying to get through everything so I can start my career."

"I was hoping you would say that," he noted. "I got a phone call from Ms. Pershing last night. She is the mentor of Finn Hudson."

"Yeah, that's my boyfriend."

"Well, we've taken a special interest in you two" Mr. Wronkowski commented. "How old is his daughter?"

"Charlotte is three and a half."

"A cute age," he said. "Do you have a picture?" Santana smiled and pulled up the family picture that Amanda had taken a few weeks ago. "She is adorable."

"Thank you," she replied.

"Finn can graduate spring after next," he said. "That's my goal for you."

"How?"

"I'll be able to get you placements that we use for single parents, and keep you on track. Your classes are going to be crazy hard. Are you up for it?"

"You have no idea."