Watson, 52, began classes last month at Shaw University, pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work. While she admits she's a little intimidated by the math homework, she's confident that 2008 will be a true turning point.

"I'm going to conquer this," said Watson, a survivor of a difficult marriage who still struggles with anxiety attacks, depression and chronic pain from fibromyalgia, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. "It's hard for me, but I'm determined to do it. ... I feel like once I get this degree, I can make a difference in many lives."

She's already making a difference, by turning her own personal challenges into opportunities to speak out and set a positive example, said Syretta Hill, family support coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Wake County.

"She is such a strong woman who is always reaching out to others," Hill said. "It has been an honor to work with her."

Watson's path hasn't been easy. After back surgery to repair a herniated disk, she was out of work for three years. In 1996, her marriage broke up, leaving her with 17-year-old boy- girl twins and a 6-year-old daughter still at home. Soon after, her younger daughter was diagnosed as hearing-impaired, ultimately needing five surgeries.

But she worked to turn things around. In 2001, she started working with the homeless at the Cornerstone Center, part of Wake County Human Services. In 2003, she moved into a three-bedroom Habitat for Humanity home.

She also became a community spokeswoman for her Habitat subdivision, Biltmore Trace, and was trained as a certified speaker with Interact of Wake County, a nonprofit agency that assists victims of domestic violence and rape.

Her message: "It is possible," she said. "I understand because I have been there."

But when the painkiller Vioxx was taken off the market in 2005, her pain returned, and she went out on disability again. Only when she saw her youngest daughter, Brittani, start courses at Meredith College last fall did she decide to take the leap and make 2008 the year for her next new beginning, in part as a way to fight her own depression.

"I thought, 'I need to do something, or I'll sink deeper into depression,'" said Watson, a grandmother of six. "I want to re-enter the work force but be a viable candidate because, let's face it, I'm older now."

She decided to enroll in the College of Adult and Professional Education at Shaw.

Watson, who completed an associate's degree in criminal justice in 1993 at Wake Technical Community College, hopes to finish her degree in two years. Her goal: to return to work for a nonprofit agency where she can use her experience to help others.

"I've been unemployed. I've been on disability and had to rely on social services for food stamps at one time. I remember that feeling," Watson said. "I'm not going to ignore you because my life is a little better than yours at this point in time. Everyone should be treated the same. We're all just a paycheck or two away from poverty."

Her decision is an inspiration to those who know her.

"I'm so proud of her," said Rosa Jackson, who worked with Watson at Cornerstone. "To see a good, dear friend go back to school [just shows you that] it's never too late."