By Tanika Asiedu

I Didn’t Go Back to School Just to Get a Degree

When I first started the Online Psychology Program, I approached it as a practical decision after finally finishing my associates degree. I wanted to advance my education, create more opportunities, and build something better for my family. After all, I have four children that can now say their mom did it; I finished. It felt like the next responsible step, and I am glad I did it.

But what I didn’t expect was how much the experience would shape me beyond academics.

What began as a decision to learn eventually became a process of transformation inside and out.

Understanding People Began With Understanding Myself

Studying psychology has a way of turning the lens inward. It is not just about theories or terminology. It is about how people think, process, and respond to the realities of life. For us as believers, our reality is tied directly into scripture. To be a part of a Christian school that aligns with these values is a game changer because every course is centered around truth. In order to even understand myself, I must understand my creator.

At some point, I realized I was no longer just learning about others. I was becoming more aware of my own patterns and how I make decisions, how I respond under pressure, and how my experiences have shaped the way I move through the world. Ultimately becoming more aware of God and who I am in Him. I was able to deal with tough topics like the topic of evil in our world and how we can see the hand of God in psychology, such as in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

That level of awareness does not leave you unchanged. It brings clarity, and with clarity comes responsibility. You begin to recognize where growth is needed and where change is possible. Grace made it possible to grow in knowledge and in self.

An Education That Did Not Compete With My Faith

One of the most meaningful aspects of my time at Grace Christian University was that my academic journey did not feel disconnected from my faith. This was something I did not know I needed until my world crashed. During my time in this program, my family was hit with a devastating loss, and yet God gave me strength and provision through my professors to press on. I was blessed to receive emails, texts, and calls from staff and classmates. My academic advisor Katie checked in on me regularly. I received a letter in the mail signed by staff I didn’t even know but who were praying for me during this time. Joining the online praise nights when time allowed was also something that kept me grounded in the journey.

Faith Lived Out in Community

Through all of that, I began to see how deeply everyone lived out their faith at Grace. The support I received and every part of my education reflected what I believed and who I was becoming. I was not placed in a position where I had to separate what I believe from what I was learning. Instead, there was a consistent alignment between the two. There were moments when course material affirmed what I had already sensed God was developing in me, and other moments where it stretched my understanding in necessary ways.

I will never forget the time I spent in these classes or the impact my professors and advisors had on my life. One professor in particular, Dr. Scott Shaw, is one of the reasons I pressed forward during this degree. He saw things in me that I could not see myself and allowed God to use him to encourage and even set me back on track at times.

My degree has given me the confidence to help counsel and coach others to reach for more and to seek clarity where there is chaos. It was my Capstone class with Professor Harrell that gave me the clarity and helped me build a strategic plan to walk in my truth. My degree is not just a piece of paper, but it has reinforced something I have come to believe deeply: growth is not limited to one area of life. It is intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and practical all at once.

To Those Considering Going Back

If you have been thinking about returning to school but keep hesitating, I understand that space. I was so afraid to return, let alone go further than my associate’s degree. It is easy to focus on what you do not have, such as time, certainty, or a clear plan.

But what this journey has taught me is that readiness is not a prerequisite for starting. Clarity often comes after you begin, not before.

Taking the next step does not require having everything figured out. It requires a willingness to move forward despite the unknown.

Looking back, my time in the B.S. in Psychology program was not simply about earning a degree. It was about becoming more aware, more disciplined, and more aligned with the direction I am called to walk in.

It refined how I think, how I lead, and how I approach growth. And if I had to make the decision again, I would still choose to begin.