We Exist to Help Non-Traditional College Students Graduate.

Time To Shake Things Up

I had a choice to make. I could stay where I was...comfortable, but bored with my job and bored with my life, or I could take action and do something BIG. I decided it was the right moment for a new phase in my life and made the choice to attend college for the first time at age 40. 

All kinds of questions ran through my mind before I took the leap:

It Was A Rough Start

The questions, self-doubts, and 'what if' scenarios seemed endless, but I prepared as best I knew how and dove in head first.

My first semester was an eye-opener. I wasn't doing great in my classes and I knew I could do better.

It wasn't because I lacked the ability to learn the material, it just wasn't sticking. After much thought, I realized that I had two main problems.

1. I had never really learned how to learn. No one taught me the best way to take notes, the best study techniques, or how to keep track of everything I had going on in my now extremely busy life to make sure nothing fell through the cracks.
2. As an older, non-traditional student, my mind was still weighed down with the questions I had before starting school about not only my ability to make it all the way to graduation, but also about my age.

Many of these issues manifested as self-doubt, procrastination, negative thinking, and an inability to focus.

My initial approach of 'just diving in' was negatively affecting my ability to do well in my classes--and my grades certainly reflected it. 

I obviously didn't want to fail my classes--or worse, give up on my dream of getting a degree and drop out because I couldn't hack it.

I knew I had to take action to fix these problems.

But first, I needed an actual plan to turn things around.

Finding My Stride Leads Me In a New Direction

To close the gaps in my knowledge and to truly understand what it took to get past my roadblocks, I began studying everything I could find to help me gain the skills I needed to become a better student.

Improving everything from my study habits to creating the right mindset to be at my best--and everything in-between--was on the table. I didn't want to leave any part of my success up to chance.

By combining proven techniques for academic achievement and incorporating key components of a sustainable-minded lifestyle* to improve my well-being and lifestyle, I finally had a plan to work through the obstacles keeping me from becoming a better student. 

Now all I had to do was put it into action.

What followed was basically a transformation--a fundamental shift in the way I approached my college experience. And it was exactly what I needed.

By making my college success a priority and optimizing aspects of my life and mindset to reflect that, I was able to gain the edge I was looking for. I no longer felt like I was spinning my wheels and almost everything I did was purposeful and deliberate. 

It wasn't always easy but I pushed forward and never gave up. Applying these strategies helped me to remain confident in myself and my abilities, stay focused, and kept me ready to take on new challenges every semester. 

*My research into the applications of several concepts involving positive-aging and sustainable-minded living for personal growth edged out other amazing entries to win an Academic Excellence award from the Sustainability Studies department during my senior year.

The Result Of My Efforts and Today

As a direct result of the changes I made, I graduated from the University of New Mexico at the top of my class, Summa Cum Laude, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.1.

Watching many of my non-traditional classmates go through the same struggles I went through inspired me to share the strategies that helped me become a great student and help others avoid the pitfalls of going to college as an adult.

I know first-hand that college can be difficult enough on its own and I believe adult students shouldn't have to needlessly struggle with themselves at the same time they are trying to improve their lives through education. 

Along with the invaluable knowledge I gained through my own college journey that began as a 40-year-old freshman, my award-winning work involving age-positive, sustainable living has been refined and incorporated into the foundation of Minute Scholar.

No matter the reason you find yourself back in school, Minute Scholar can help you understand what it takes to be a successful and confident student, help you prioritize your needs and wants, and rally your thoughts and behaviors around your academic and personal goals.

 I’m glad you’re here and I'm looking forward to congratulating you on graduation day!

Five Facts About Me