Tools for Adapting to a Successful College Lifestyle

After five years of service, I decided that it was time to leave the military and pursue a career in medicine. The reason for leaving the military varies for each person; however, I can say, anecdotally speaking, many individuals hold a level of uncertainty and doubt when attempting to solidify their choice to discharge.

Never Assume

One of my favorite teachers at the Lutheran elementary school I attended had a habit of repeating a specific phrase out loud when things didn’t go according to expectation: “Never assume.” It’s been burned into my memory, and now I repeat the same phrase out loud to myself.

My Intersectional Identity Amplifies My Imposter Syndrome

One of the beautiful things about being in a “small” university is you hear about a lot more events and opportunities outside of your major. If your university is elite, it’s more likely that these events are led by the “top” minds in the country, maybe even the world. One of the groups that resonate […]

Hot Wash: A Year After Separation

After serving in the military for over 10 years, I was ready for a change of pace. It would have been easier for me to stay another 10 years to retire, but I wanted a new challenge. Two weeks after I started terminal leave in January 2020, I attended a community college to complete prerequisites […]

Start Small; Think Big

As you consider the path out of active duty and into the classroom, it can feel like an overwhelming sea of decisions to make. Where do I go? Where do I start? How do I know that school ABC will be the best fit for me? The answers to these questions will look different for […]

Embracing Campus Culture Beyond the Generational Gap

In most situations, the individuals who are most successful usually find themselves involved in more than just their studies. It takes having a strong social circle and building relationships with friends who are sharing your journey. Like the military, attending a university is made much more worthwhile if moments and experiences are shared with those […]

Four Central Reasons Veterans Can Succeed at School

We all had different experiences in the military, and depending on our MOS, we all learned a different skill or a trade. It might not be obvious right away, but no matter what branch, the military taught each of us how to succeed. My success in school is not because I am book smart (my […]

The Spark: When I Decided to Give School Another Chance

People who say they joined the military because they aren’t “made” for college fool themselves. Although, they may be correct at the time that they find themselves in the recruiting office. I was one of those people that tried and utterly failed. I was not made for it but was foolish enough to try at […]