If you had told 17-year-old me, fresh out of high school and eager to take on Michigan State University, that I’d be back in 2025 finishing my degree, I probably would’ve laughed. Or cried. Maybe both. Because back then, I thought I had it all figured out. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

Plot Twist: Engineering Wasn’t for Me

I started at MSU as an engineering major, but after struggling with core courses (and let’s be honest, failing them), I found myself in a meeting with Dr. Theo Caldwell, the assistant dean of the college and one of my professors. He saw what I couldn’t admit to myself—engineering wasn’t my calling. With his guidance, I pivoted to Media Arts & Technology in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences.

It felt like the right fit, but college was still a battle. Balancing adulting with academics? Way harder than I expected. After years of excelling in school with minimal effort, I was failing. And in December 2015, I left MSU feeling defeated.

The Comeback Kid: Returning to Finish What I Started

Fast forward to 2025, and here I am, back at MSU, ready to finish what I started. My original major no longer exists (a plot twist I did not see coming), but I’ve found a new home in the Information Science program.

The best part? I get to jump back into the Bailey Scholars Program (BSP), a place that always felt like home. As a first-generation college student, BSP reminded me of my high school experience at UPREP Academy—a supportive, alternative learning environment that just got me. It only feels right that I get to complete the Leadership in Integrated Learning minor alongside my degree.

Making It Count: Adding Entrepreneurship to the Mix

Of course, coming back isn’t as simple as picking up where I left off. Although my program changed, I still only have five courses left to complete my major. However, my college and university GPA needed a boost, so I had to take some electives to bring it up.

Since I’d used up most of my undergrad financial aid and would have to pay out-of-pocket for some expenses to complete my program, instead of taking random electives, I enrolled in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor. Let’s be real—I’ve always known I wasn’t meant to be an employee forever. This minor is giving me the tools to take my business dreams seriously.

Delayed, Not Denied

Not everyone would return to finish a degree nearly a decade later, but I’m not one to leave things unfinished. MSU has been a part of my story for so long—from my early dining hall job to my time in Houston and back to Lansing in 2021. I guess you could say I really bleed green.

Coming back wasn’t just about a diploma; it was about proving to myself that I could. And, although I won’t be officially finished until August, in May 2025, when I finally cross that stage, I know I’ll be doing it on my own terms—wiser, stronger, and more determined than ever.

Here’s to second (or third) chances—because the journey may be delayed, but it’s never denied.