New Beginnings: Lessons from My Return to College

                                                                                  Photo courtesy of Getty Images

This time last year, I was diving into a brand new adventure—going back to college after 13 years of professional work in the dance and fitness industries. And to make things even more interesting, I was doing it while being a full-time stay-at-home parent to an infant. One year later, here’s what I’ve learned:

Mindset is everything.

Going back to school after so long was definitely nerve-wracking, and I quickly figured out that my mindset was going to make or break me. I had to be really intentional about shutting down negative self-talk and instead, embracing a growth mindset. Take math, for example—I had to pass a placement test just to enroll in a basic calculus course. It took me all three attempts to pass. Instead of beating myself up with "I’m just bad at math," I switched my thinking to, "I’m re-learning this, and with practice, I’ll get the hang of it!" And guess what? I did! Calculus ended up being one of my favorite classes that semester.

Taking care of yourself isn’t optional.

As someone who’s always been driven (hello, Enneagram 3 here), I tend to jump into new projects with both feet and zero boundaries. But when you’re juggling school and a little one, self-care isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. It took me a bit to realize this, but I finally understood that I couldn’t be at my best in any area of life if I wasn’t taking care of my mental and physical health. For me, that meant making time for a 30-minute workout every day, staying hydrated with a gallon of water, and meal prepping on the weekends to make the weekdays easier.

Starting something new in your 30s is scary but so worth it.

It’s easy to get stuck in a routine, doing things that feel safe and familiar. But taking the leap into something new, like going back to school, pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way. Sure, it’s challenging, and there were definitely times I wondered what I’d gotten myself into. But the growth, the learning, and the sense of accomplishment have been amazing.

So, if you’ve been thinking about making a change or starting something new, go for it! Trust me—you’ll be glad you did.