Current occupation: Executive Assistant
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
It was always a personal and professional goal of mine to complete my bachelor’s degree. I switched academic majors when I was younger but soon realized I couldn’t juggle my studies while raising a young family, working full-time, and operating my own company. After my youngest son graduated from high school I decided it was time to focus on making my goals a reality.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
The agency I work for is very supportive of higher education. They offer tuition reimbursement and encourage employees to take advantage of this benefit. Through a partnership between my agency and Tiffin University, I was able to receive a reduced tuition rate which really helped me financially justify going back to college.
Describe your experience with the program so far.
I was anxious at first trying to figure out all of the online requirements and keep track of all the important information and different technology requirements. I am pretty computer savvy so it didn’t take long for me to figure out how to use it. Once I got over the learning curve, it was super easy to use.
Describe your experience with your cohort and faculty?
My interactions with the faculty were always positive, encouraging, and helpful. The feedback they provided was very beneficial to my continued success.
How are you juggling work, life, and going back to school? Any tips?
I am a very disciplined person so it wasn’t hard for me to juggle work, school, and family. It is all about balance and putting priorities first. Sometimes there were late nights in front of the computer, but that gave me the opportunity to do something fun with the my family the next day. I enjoyed going back to school so I didn’t mind having to make certain sacrifices. My advice would be to let go of the unimportant stuff and focus on what is going to make you a better person in the long run.
What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?
I am a highly motivated person so once I set my mind on doing something I see it all the way through. There was no giving up once I started.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
My advice is do not hesitate to go back to school. Even if you think you cannot do it, you will never know unless you try. It is also helpful if you have a good support system of friends and family to get you through the tough days.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
Going back to school at the age of 50 was a big risk for me. I haven’t been in college in over 20 years so I had no idea what to expect or how people would receive me. It ended up being the best decision of my life. I finally feel like I have accomplished something that I set out so long ago to do. I’ve gained confidence and professionalism, and respect among my peers, friends, and family for my accomplishments.