By Tanika Asiedu,  

I never planned on becoming “that person” who’s still in school in her thirties. For a long time, I told myself a degree was for people with more time, more money, or fewer responsibilities pulling at them from every direction. I had none of those luxuries, just a quiet nudge I couldn’t shake and just enough courage to say yes to one class. I didn’t know then how far that single yes would take me, or how much it would change who I was becoming along the way. 

A Bachelor’s, a Master’s, and Now a Doctorate, All While Life Kept Moving 

If someone had told me four years ago that I would complete a bachelor’s degree, continue into a master’s program, and now be prayerfully preparing for a Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL), I probably would have smiled… and then quietly wondered if they had the wrong person. Life didn’t slow down so I could go back to school. There was work, ministry, family time, and moments of exhaustion. There were deadlines that somehow all landed on the same week. (I’m still convinced professors have a secret group chat with my employer.) There were nights when I questioned if I could keep going.

But every single time, God made a way. Looking back, I don’t just see assignments, papers, presentations, and graduation milestones. I see God’s fingerprints on every season. Grace Christian University became so much more than a place where I earned degrees. It became a place where my faith and my education grew together. I wasn’t just learning theories or leadership principles. I was learning how to steward the calling God has placed on my life. First came my bachelor’s degree in psychology. Then my master’s degree in organizational leadership. Now, Lord willing, the next step is pursuing a doctor of strategic leadership. Every season has stretched me. Each one has refined me. And every season has reminded me that when God calls you somewhere, He also provides what you need to get there.

Has it been easy? Not even a little. Has it been worth it? Absolutely. 

Why Grace? A Community That Cared About More Than My GPA 

I’ve learned that you don’t have to have everything figured out before saying yes. You don’t have to feel completely ready. Sometimes obedience simply looks like taking the next step and trusting God with the rest. One of my favorite things about Grace has been knowing that I wasn’t walking this journey alone. The professors, staff, and community genuinely cared, not only about my academic success but also about who I was becoming as a follower of Christ. For that, I will always be grateful.

Tanika’s Advice for Anyone on the Fence About Going Back to School 

If you’re reading this and you’ve been thinking about going back to school, let me encourage you. Maybe you’ve been telling yourself you’re too busy. Maybe you think you’re too old. Perhaps you’re wondering if you’re smart enough. Or maybe you’re waiting until life becomes less complicated. I understand those thoughts because I’ve had many of them myself. But what if God isn’t asking you to have all the answers? What if He’s simply asking you to trust Him with the first step? Sometimes faith looks like filling out an application. Other times it looks like enrolling in your first class. And sometimes it looks like believing that God can do something through you that you can’t yet imagine for yourself. If God is inviting you to grow, don’t stay on the fence. Take the leap. Walk with Him. Walk with Grace.

As I prepare for whatever God has next, my heart is full of gratitude. These past four years have shaped me in ways I never expected, and I know this is only the beginning. Thank you, Grace Christian University, for being part of my journey. More importantly, thank You, Lord, for faithfully leading every step.

Ready to Take Your Next Step? 

Like Tanika, you don’t have to have it all figured out to start. Grace Christian University offers flexible online programs designed for working adults and parents so you can earn your degree without putting the rest of your life on hold. Click this link to take the next step towards earning your degree online.

FAQ

Can I balance a full-time job and family while earning a degree at Grace? Yes. Grace Christian University designs its programs for working adults, offering flexible scheduling so students can pursue a degree without stepping away from their jobs, ministries, or families.

What degrees did Tanika earn at Grace? Tanika completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology, followed by a master’s degree in organizational leadership. 

Does Grace support students spiritually, not just academically? Yes. Grace’s professors, staff, and community integrate faith into the academic journey, supporting students’ spiritual growth alongside their coursework.