Hi everyone! My name is Brittani Ambrose, and today I want to share my educational journey at Grace Christian University. I’m excited to dive deep into why I chose this school, why I decided to return to education after a decade away, finding purpose along the way, and the transformative experience I’ve had so far.
Choosing My Path
My major at Grace is psychology, and discovering this school felt like destiny. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, learning that Grace was also from Michigan felt like a beautiful coincidence. Though I study online rather than on campus, the connection I’ve built with the Grace community has been remarkable, from my supportive advisors to my approachable professors who genuinely care about student success.
My experience with the school has been nothing short of excellent. The enrollment process was seamless, financial aid was straightforward, and I was able to begin classes almost immediately after making my decision in January. Everything fell into place exactly when I needed it to.
Finding the Right Fit
I researched several institutions, but I had specific criteria that mattered deeply to me. I wanted a school that wouldn’t just focus on my major but would also integrate biblical principles into my education. Having a relationship with God is central to who I am today, though this wasn’t always the case.
There were many years when I felt disconnected from God, struggling to find that relationship I desperately wanted. Once I finally discovered that connection, I was determined never to let it go. When my older sister shared her positive experiences at Grace, I knew I’d found what I was looking for. Since enrolling, I’ve been able to explore biblical perspectives on life while diving deep into psychology, sociology, and leadership studies. The integration of faith and learning has been exactly what my heart needed.
Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt
Returning to school after more than a decade away was terrifying. I questioned everything: my ability to learn, to retain information, and to succeed academically. The fear was overwhelming, and self-doubt crept in constantly. Would my brain even remember how to study? Could I compete with younger students who hadn’t been away from academia as long as I had?
God’s Calling
Despite my fears, I felt God’s unmistakable call on my life. He made it clear that He needed me to become a therapist for children, a calling that resonated deeply with my love for young people. So I made the leap, diving headfirst into this new chapter. Looking back, this experience at Grace Christian University has exceeded every expectation and has been absolutely transformational.
Facing Challenges Head-On
My journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Grace structures their program with five courses running consecutively, one per week, which initially felt manageable. I started strong in January, but by June, the workload began to feel overwhelming. Anxiety crept in, and I found myself struggling to keep up.
Rather than suffering in silence, I reached out to my advisor, one of the best decisions I made. I was honest about feeling anxious and overwhelmed, admitting that I didn’t feel equipped to succeed in my current class. Instead of pushing through and risking failure, I asked if I could step back from that particular course and return to it later when I felt more prepared.
Exceptional Support System
The response from Grace’s staff was incredible. They didn’t make me feel like a failure or question my abilities. Instead, they worked with me to find a solution that supported my success. This experience reinforced something I’ve learned about Grace: they truly want every student to succeed, and they’ll go the extra mile to make that happen.
I haven’t encountered a single negative experience with anyone at the school. The staff, advisors, and professors are all genuinely invested in student success, creating an environment where learning can flourish.
What I’ve Learned So Far
One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed at Grace is improved communication. I’ve learned to organize my thoughts more effectively and express myself with greater clarity. Initially, I was convinced my brain wouldn’t retain information after being away from school for so long. I overthought everything and psyched myself out before I even began.
Once I settled into my coursework, however, I realized my fears were largely unfounded. The material was challenging but manageable, and I discovered I was more capable than I’d given myself credit for.
Course Structure and Learning Style
Eight months into my program, I’ve noticed that many courses focus on drawing out what students already know while building upon that foundation. The approach is often discussion-based, asking for personal opinions and perspectives on various topics.
In my current sociology class, for example, we explore questions like “What do you think sociology is?” and “How would you connect sociology to your Christian worldview?” This approach makes learning feel more personal and relevant, connecting academic concepts to real-world applications and faith-based perspectives.
Growing Through Academic Writing
One area where I’ve experienced tremendous growth is academic writing. Before Grace, I had no idea what APA or MLA formatting meant; these were completely foreign concepts. Learning these academic writing standards was initially challenging, but as I practiced, I discovered that proper formatting actually helped me express my ideas more clearly and professionally.
The improvement in my writing has been remarkable, and I credit this growth to both the structured requirements and the extensive support available at Grace.
Comprehensive Student Resources
Grace provides resources designed to ensure student success. They offer on-demand tutoring, peer review services for papers and assignments, and professional editing support. Honestly, with all these tools available, I believe it would be nearly impossible for a motivated student to fail.
The support system goes beyond academics. When I was overwhelmed and unsure about procedures, I found myself reaching out to my advisors frequently. Even when they didn’t have immediate answers, they always connected me with the right person or resource. Grace Christian University has created a comprehensive support network that genuinely sets students up for success.
My Future Mission
My ultimate goal is to become a therapist specializing in children’s mental health. This calling stems from my own childhood experience; I often wished I’d had access to a therapist when I was young. Too often, adults dismiss children’s emotional struggles with phrases like, “You’re just a kid; you don’t have real problems. You don’t pay bills or face adult responsibilities, so what could you possibly be worried about?”
This dismissive attitude breaks my heart because children are full human beings with complex emotions and real struggles. Just because their problems might seem small to adults doesn’t make them any less significant to the child experiencing them.
Breaking Barriers in Mental Health
Unfortunately, stigma around mental health therapy remains strong in many communities, particularly in the African American community where I grew up. Many people are hesitant to “tell a stranger all your problems” or view therapy as unnecessary or even shameful.
My heart burns with a desire to change these perceptions and help children understand and process their emotions, whether those feelings seem big or small. Children deserve to have their emotions validated and their experiences acknowledged. They need safe spaces to express themselves and caring adults who will listen without judgment.
My Vision for Child Therapy
When I step into my role as a child therapist, I want to create an environment where every child feels heard, seen, valued, and important. I want them to understand that their feelings matter, their emotions are valid, and their experiences deserve attention and care.
Age doesn’t determine the significance of someone’s struggles. A five-year-old’s worry about making friends is just as real and important as an adult’s concern about work. My mission is to help heal and support every child I encounter, giving them tools to understand themselves and navigate their emotions in healthy ways.
How God Changed My Life
I want to share a powerful testimony about how God transformed my life and led me to this calling.
Growing up, my family attended church regularly. Sunday mornings meant getting up and going to service; it was simply part of our routine. For years, though, I felt spiritually empty. I went through the motions without feeling any real connection to God or understanding of His word. I yearned for a genuine relationship with Him but couldn’t seem to find it.
I often wondered why God seemed silent in my life. I wanted to know Him, to understand His work and His love, but I felt like I was speaking into a void. This spiritual longing persisted for years, leaving me feeling frustrated and disconnected.
A Life-Threatening Wake-Up Call
In 2016, my life took a dramatic turn that would forever change my relationship with God. I developed a blood clot that wrapped around my lungs and enlarged the right side of my heart, though I was completely unaware of this life-threatening condition at the time.
The day it happened started normally. I spent time with my family, shared dinner together, and felt perfectly fine. Then something as simple as getting the hiccups changed everything. When you get hiccups, you naturally try holding your breath or drinking water to stop them. I tried both remedies, but neither worked.
Somehow, holding my breath triggered or activated the blood clot. Immediately, I struggled to breathe properly. I’d experienced chest pain and shortness of breath before, and previous ER visits had resulted in doctors telling me I’d simply “pulled a muscle.” So I assumed this was another minor issue.
Ignoring Warning Signs
Even as my symptoms worsened, walking from the house to the car left me exhausted, my ears became muffled, and my heart raced—I resisted going to the hospital. I’d been dismissed so many times before that I convinced myself this was just another pulled muscle.
When I got home that evening, I told my family about my symptoms but decided to sleep it off. I promised myself that if I still felt unwell in the morning, I’d seek medical attention. Looking back, this decision could have been fatal.
God’s Miraculous Protection
By God’s grace alone, I am alive today. There is absolutely no medical reason why someone should survive sleeping through the night with a massive blood clot wrapped around their lungs, struggling to breathe, with an enlarged heart. Yet somehow, I woke up the next morning.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed the severity of my condition. During my time in the ICU, undergoing surgeries and treatments, I felt God’s presence more powerfully than ever before. I realized that He had protected me through an impossible situation, and there had to be a reason. He had plans for my life, and He wasn’t finished with me yet.
The experience filled me with profound gratitude for life, for my family’s presence during my recovery, and for God’s undeniable intervention in what should have been a fatal situation.
Finding My True Relationship with God
Following my recovery, I began earnestly seeking God, but my breakthrough didn’t come until 2019. Each year, my family participates in a New Year’s fast, but this particular year felt different. For the first time ever, I found myself genuinely excited about fasting, and who gets excited about giving up food?
During that fast, everything changed. I encountered God in a personal, profound way. I learned how to study His word meaningfully, how to cultivate a genuine relationship with Him, and importantly, that I didn’t need to broadcast my faith to validate it. I felt His presence in my heart and spirit in ways I’d never experienced before.
Since then, my relationship with God has remained strong. Of course, being human means I still have moments of doubt and questioning, times when life gets difficult and I ask, “God, why?” But even in those challenging moments, I feel His love sustaining me through my questions and struggles.
Words of Encouragement
I share my story to encourage anyone who feels God calling them to step out in faith. If you sense Him leading you toward something, whether it’s returning to school, changing careers, or pursuing a dream, I urge you to be obedient. You never know what incredible life God is preparing for you.
I firmly believe we aren’t on this earth solely for ourselves. We’re here for each other, to help, heal, grow, and nurture one another. Our testimonies and experiences can touch other souls and potentially bring new people into relationship with God.
Taking the Leap of Faith
If you’re considering returning to school or beginning any new journey that God has placed on your heart, I encourage you to take that step. Trust in God completely. Yes, it will be scary. Yes, it will feel uncomfortable because you’re entering uncharted territory. But I promise you that if you put your faith and trust in God, He will guide you every step of the way.
I’m grateful that God led me to Grace Christian University, where I’m not only gaining my psychology education but also absorbing knowledge and wisdom I once believed I was inadequate to receive. God assured me I was wrong about my inadequacy, and He’s proven that truth every day since.
Final Thoughts
So I want to leave you with this: take that step. Whatever God is calling you to do, wherever He’s leading you to go, take that step with confidence. Trust His plan for your life, even when you can’t see the full picture.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope it encourages and inspires you on your own journey of faith, education, and purpose. Remember, God has incredible plans for your life too.
