Returning to college in my 40s wasn’t something I took lightly. As an adult, I knew this path would require sacrifices, time management and more than a little grit. What I didn’t expect was just how much life would test me during this journey.

Over the past couple years, I’ve juggled at least a 12-hour course load while working 30 hours a week as a tutor with TRIO Disability Support Services—a role that has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic life. Helping other students overcome obstacles, master their coursework and believe in their own potential has reminded me daily why I chose to further my education.

However, tutoring and studying weren’t the only things on my plate. At home, I’ve been helping care for my best friend and roommate’s aging parents, whose needs seem to have become more demanding with each passing month. Being present for them while also showing up for students and professors has required a delicate balance of patience, compassion and boundaries—skills I’ve had to sharpen in real time.

If that wasn't enough, I spent five months without a functioning kitchen this last spring due to a remodel that felt never-ending. For nearly half a year, I cooked meals with a toaster oven and a microwave in the living room, stepping over boxes and tools just to grab a snack. It was chaos, but somehow we made it work. Amid all that, I experienced one of the hardest emotional challenges—the loss of two beloved pets within a short time of each other. Pets are family, and their absence left a quiet, painful hole in a house that already felt out of wack with everything else going on.

So how did I manage? Not perfectly. But I’ve learned that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. Some days I thrived, other days I survived. I leaned into time management tools, reached out to my support groups when I needed to vent or just to be with someone to listen and gave myself permission to grieve, rest and regroup. I also relied on community—my TRIO team, coworkers, mentors, classmates, family and friends who reminded me that I wasn’t in this alone. Being an adult learner means carrying responsibilities that younger students may not fully understand, but it also means bringing strength, experience and perspective that are incredibly valuable.

If you’re reading this and thinking about going back to school—or you’re already in the thick of it—know this:

• You can do hard things.
• You don’t have to do them alone.
• And your journey, no matter how messy, is worth it.

I’m still standing. Still learning. Still moving forward. And that, to me, is the definition of success.

My name is David Smith; I am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Biology at the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts at Wichita State University—Class of 2026!

I am a proud member of TRIO Student Support Services and the Lead Tutor for Trio Disability Support Services.

But none of my journey would have happened if it were not for the incredible group at the Office of Online and Adult Learning. Dr. Pam O’Neal and Dr. Amber Anderson have cultivated a group that strives to not only encourage and support non-traditional learners, but they understand us. I truly believe that. Dr. O’Neal helped me carve my path and develop my own unique college experience. Something I know I will never forget.