Why I Paused on Traditional College: A Snapshot of My Journey

For context, I've always believed in a hands-on approach to education and have been open to all forms of learning. When I decided not to pursue college in my youth (yes, I'll be 45 this month), there were many layers to that decision. Ultimately, it came down to not feeling fully prepared (including not having the financial resources to back it up) for or ready to take on that experience. By the time I was 19, I was already living on my own and had launched my career in administrative work—a path I felt passionate about for a while. However, as life often does, it had different plans for me.

Balancing work, family, and personal growth became my reality. Starting a family shifted my priorities, and though it meant delays in my career trajectory, it also gave me invaluable experiences that shaped who I am today. In this post, I want to share why I’ve decided not to return to traditional education and how I’m continuing to grow through alternative paths that suit my journey.

Photo by Kaboompics.com

The Original Plan

Before moving to a new city and state, I had set my sights on returning to school to earn an associate’s degree in business administration. My professional background is a blend of contract work, freelance projects, full-time and part-time roles, and various side gigs. With experience spanning multiple areas of work, it felt natural to consider formalizing my knowledge through further education.

The timing seemed perfect. My son was also preparing for college, and as we navigated his financial aid process, I felt inspired to take that step for myself. I filed my own financial aid paperwork and enrolled in a program I believed would align with the career path I was building. At the time, my “why” was clear: to break through the earnings cap I felt limited by and to unlock new career opportunities.

Reevaluating My Why

As I began the program and immersed myself in coursework, I started to question my motivations. Initially, my “why” felt genuine. I was making progress in my field, and a degree seemed like the logical next step. However, the more I tried to fit myself into the mold of traditional education, the more I realized it wasn’t aligning with my learning style or long-term goals.

Adding to this, my motivation had been tied to a specific job I was working at the time—a role I believed could grow with the addition of a degree. But in November 2024, unforeseen circumstances ended that chapter. Losing that job forced me to reevaluate everything. The loss of a key motivation, combined with my dissatisfaction with the limited opportunities in my previous city, led me to step back and reassess.

Photo by Mac Mullins

A Shift in Perspective

Nearly three months ago, I moved to a new city and began reflecting on what continued education truly means for me. What I discovered is that traditional education doesn’t have to be the only path to growth. Right now, my focus has shifted to niche certificates and specialized workshops—opportunities that directly enhance the skills I bring to the table.

This approach feels like a better fit for my personality and goals. It offers the flexibility to explore new opportunities while staying true to the hands-on, practical learning style that has always resonated with me. So far, this shift has paid off. I’ve tapped into local opportunities, attended workshops, and seen positive responses to my resume and work ethic in my new environment.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue sharing updates about this journey. I plan to document the books I’m reading, the certificates I’m earning, and the workshops I’m attending. These smaller, focused steps are helping me shape my continued education in ways that feel meaningful and aligned with my career development goals.

If you’re curious about how I’ve been navigating the job market in my new city, I've written a blog post on that topic here. It’s been a transformative experience, and I hope my journey can inspire others considering non-traditional paths to growth and learning.

Photo by Tobi

This journey has reminded me to embrace change and trust the process. While I’ve chosen to pause my pursuit of a traditional college degree, I’m confident in the direction I’m heading. The pace feels right, and the approach aligns with this season of my life.

How do you balance learning and evolving in your own journey? I’d love to hear what works for you!

Here are some actions you can take next on this blog:

• I encourage you to check out the Simple Living, Creativity, and Community pages, where you can find ideas and resources I'm exploring during this transition.

• I'd love to have you learn more about and sign up for my newsletter email list that will relaunch in 2025.

• Stop by my YouTube channel @creativelifebynherie where I share life, creativity and intuitive tips connected to a thriving creative journey.

• If you need to get in touch with me, just follow the instructions on the contact page.

Other blog posts you may relate to:

• Personal Lessons and Practical Tips from My Job Search Journey This Season
• Work Notes: My Push To Change How I work
• E-Read: Losing Income Is The Worst
• How I Recognized It Was Time for a New Environment (And You Might, Too)