I Brought Snacks, Highlighters, a Cat, and a 401(k), Let's Go | Volume 1, Edition 7

In this edition of Lead Anew: Insights and Growth, I share my experiences of returning to college after 26 years away from the traditional classroom setting. This time, the classroom is on a screen. As a full-time distance learner, I study from my kitchen table, often with Zeus perched on my notebooks. I attend lectures in sweatpants and occasionally submit assignments while preparing dinner. If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to pursue a degree, reopen your mind, or manage a full adult life, this article is for you.When I enrolled in college again after more than two decades away, I imagined I’d feel Accomplished and excited; I finally stopped panicking about passwords, portals, and the enigmatic concept of “asynchronous” learning. As a distance learner, I don’t enter a classroom; instead, I log into one. My classmates and professors exist as mere pixels on a screen, and my commute consists of refilling my coffee and a cat competing for attention. I’ve swapped fluorescent lighting and plastic chairs for the comfort of my home, accompanied by the occasional hum of laundry cycles. But don’t let the cozy setting fool you, this is still serious work.

At first, the technology was daunting. Navigating Canvas, responding to discussion posts, and submitting assignments and research papers felt like learning a new language. I worried about falling behind or, worse, feeling disconnected. Unlike traditional students who can form study groups and chat in hallways, I had to create my own sense of belonging from behind a screen. This meant reaching out, engaging intentionally, and setting strong boundaries with my time. I had to be both a student and a structure. However, with each module completed and every assignment submitted on time, I gained confidence, not just as a learner, but as a leader committed to growing through discomfort.

One of the more amusing realities of being a nontraditional, online student is realizing that I bring a completely different perspective. My peers talk about late-night study sessions and dorm life, while I juggle project deadlines, manage two Physician practices, and set alerts to remind myself of my reading assignments. I am reminded that I am walking a unique and worthy path, one that brings life experience, resilience, and practicality into every academic space I enter.

There are days when I feel overwhelmed and stretched to the limit. I juggle full-time coursework, a demanding leadership role, and family responsibilities. Sometimes, I question my decision to pursue this path now, instead of coasting into retirement. However, the truth is that I didn’t return to school to prove anything. I came back because I believe in leading by example, finishing what I start, and recognizing that knowledge and the courage to pursue it have no expiration date.

Being a distance learner has also taught me the value of self-discipline and time management in new ways. There’s no classroom bell, no professor looking over my shoulder, and no instant feedback from classmates. Everything I learn is earned through intention. I show up because I want to, because I believe in modeling perseverance, especially for those who feel like the door to education has already closed. But it hasn’t. I’m living proof.

Every paper I write, every lecture I complete, and every post I submit is a quiet act of defiance against the belief that reinvention belongs only to the young. I may not be in a physical classroom, but I’m in one of the most meaningful classrooms of my life. I’m not just learning theories and frameworks; I’m learning how to believe in myself again. And that kind of learning is the foundation for lasting leadership.

Whether you’re logging in from the kitchen counter, raising your hand during a discussion board, or embarking on your second season with a backpack full of determination, remember this: your story matters, and your growth is just beginning. Keep leading anew.

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