Whether you are a new student, a graduate, or staff member, or someone who just comes across this in your internet travels, believe. Always believe in yourself and think positive.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree?
Motivation comes in all shapes and sizes and has no limit except that limit in which we ourselves place on it. What motivates me is the constant need to be learning something new and the prospect of that knowledge being able to help someone else or to help the world as a whole. Without change there can be no progress, and without progress, we will surely perish as a people. It is not so much the objective to obtain a degree, but rather the process and journey of doing such. To be honest in my views of the world and to hear how others interpret the world around them, causing me to become self-aware and humbled. Other people motivate me to be the best that I can be by challenging my views without being hateful, and making sure that my arguments and proposals are strong against their counter arguments. The degree obtained is a reward for being the best that I can be.
Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program?
I heard about Averett’s GPS Program through my profession two years before I decided to look into it. I was unsure about going back to school and even more unsure of whether or not I wanted to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice or something else. All of my doubts about the school and my ability to succeed at Averett was erased almost instantly the moment I began to interact with the staff and professors. Every single person amongst the Averett staff was beyond helpful and believed fully in their students, and belief, is one of the most important things in life. I felt as if they already believed in me when they did not know me and I was unsure of myself and in return, it allowed me to believe in myself. You cannot find this magic just anywhere, and it is important to hold on to it when you do find it.
Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students:
One tip to all of you, whether you are a new student, a graduate, or staff member, or someone who just comes across this in your internet travels is, believe. Always believe in yourself and think positive. As humans, we push back a little against change because we become comfortable in how our lives work and rotate and how we have adjusted to them. We will consciously and subconsciously make excuses and reasons as to why we shouldn’t, couldn’t, or can’t achieve something. This applies to all aspects of our lives and not just higher education. Often we tell ourselves that there is no way we could get that promotion, get that degree, meet someone to have a family with, go to the gym, write that book, take those photographs, paint that masterpiece, but the joke is on us, because we are the only ones not allowing ourselves to have those things. Once we realize that the obstacle is ourselves, we can tear it down and then the door to opportunity opens as wide as the Pacific Ocean. All we have to do is just jump. Stay strong, breathe, and feel that salty wind coming from opportunity. In the words of Meggan Roxanne, “Acknowledge what you dislike about yourself and change. The only person holding you back is yourself and eventually people will get tired. Growth may be painful but it can also be your breakthrough.”
These beautiful, beautiful people do not realize that this “risk” they are taking is really a gateway for not only themselves, but everyone that comes in contact with them.
What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program?
What helps keep me motivated while in the program is my classmates and my professors. I see the bios that others are posting and how much they have achieved in their lives and the “risk” that they believe they are taking by coming back to school. These beautiful, beautiful people do not realize that this “risk” they are taking is really a gateway for not only themselves, but everyone that comes in contact with them. It motivates me to do the best I can in everything to show and help my classmates know that they are not alone in the struggle to go back to school, and that it is not a risk, but rather a magnificent opportunity to contribute to now and the future.
What is your anticipated Date of Graduation?
May 2018!