If someone had told me ten years ago that I'd be sitting here with three degrees in hand, I probably would've laughed nervously, looked for a hidden camera, and politely suggested they check their sources. Yet, there I was—in the middle of COVID - sleep-deprived, delirious, and oddly confident that I could tackle just about anything life threw my way. So, why not tackle a Bachelor's and Master's degree...

That confidence didn't come easy. It was built one late night, one meltdown, and one epiphany at a time. Over two years of online learning, juggling a full-time job, and surviving life's curveballs, I gained more than just leadership theories. I walked away with real-world lessons about resilience, effective communication, and the surprising power of a well-timed candy break.

Here's how it all unfolded—and why, despite the chaos, it was worth it.

Channeling My Inner Gilmore

Early in the program, I realized I needed a strategy to survive the mountain of reading assignments, projects, and discussions. And who better to emulate than the reigning queen of academic overachievement, Rory Gilmore of Gilmore Girls fame? If there was anyone who could handle late-night study sessions, obsessive note-taking, and the occasional existential crisis, it was Stars Hollow's pride and joy.

I went all in. Color-coded highlighters? Check. Stacks of neatly tabbed binders? Check. A perfectly brewed cup of coffee within arm's reach at all times? Double check. I even attempted her legendary "read in three places at once" technique by keeping textbooks open on my desk, laptop, and couch. Did I sometimes get distracted by daydreams of witty banter and town meetings? Absolutely. But Rory's unshakable focus and dedication to her goals kept me motivated.

Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I'd think, "What would Rory do?" The answer was always the same: she'd grab another cup of coffee, double down on her study schedule, and remind herself that a little determination (and a lot of caffeine) could get her through anything. And, for the record, it totally worked—though my highlighter budget may have rivaled my coffee expenses by the end.

First Grad School Lesson

The first thing I learned in grad school was that I was not a superhero. At first, I felt unstoppable, breezing through assignments and discussions armed with freshly printed articles and my newly Rory-inspired study toolkit. But then, life happened. My Wi-Fi crashed during a presentation. My boss moved a deadline up by a week. I realized at 11:58 p.m. that the 10-page paper due at midnight wasn't going to write itself.

That was when I learned the most important lesson: I couldn't, and shouldn't, do it all alone. Leadership, both in school and in life, was about knowing when to ask for help. Whether I leaned on classmates for brainstorming sessions, asked professors for guidance, or delegated tasks at work to make time for school, I saw that collaboration wasn't just helpful—it was essential.

It was humbling to admit I couldn't handle everything on my own. But that humility helped me grow. It reminded me that even the best leaders rely on their teams, and sometimes, a team includes a patient professor and a very understanding barista.

"I've Got the Proof; You've Got the Science"

One of the most surprising realizations I had during the program was that many of the leadership strategies I'd been using instinctively for years actually had names. Fancy names out of a management textbook. It was like discovering that the "secret recipe" I'd been improvising in the kitchen was actually a time-honored classic.

This revelation brought to mind a quote from Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks: "I've got the proof of concept, and Dr. Michael Gervais has the science to back it." That was exactly how I felt. Grad school didn't just validate my instincts; it gave me the frameworks and theories to back them up. More importantly, it reminded me that leadership is a journey of continuous learning—there is always more to discover.

Resilience Was Just a Fancy Word for "Figuring It Out"

If there's one thing life excels at, it's testing resilience. Over those two years, I switched jobs several times, bought a house, moved, got COVID-19 (still hoping my sense of smell comes back), and somehow still managed to meet most deadlines and keep up with coursework.

Resilience, I realized, wasn't about breezing through challenges without a scratch. It was about rolling with the punches, regrouping, and showing up anyway. I often found myself muttering, "Oh no, not again," brewing another pot of black coffee and pushing forward despite the chaos. Grad school turned out to be the ultimate crash course in adapting to unpredictable challenges while staying focused on long-term goals.

Learning Styles and Leadership Growth

One of the most impactful lessons I learned from grad school was the importance of understanding learning styles. Not everyone processes information the same way. Some thrive on theoretical deep dives, while others connect better with hands-on examples. I saw this dynamic play out in discussions, group projects, and even my own approach to learning.

This realization shaped how I thought about leadership. Meeting people where they were and helping them succeed in ways that worked for them became a cornerstone of my philosophy. It isn't about lowering standards or simplifying concepts but about finding ways to make ideas accessible and meaningful.

As I moved forward in my career, I knew I wanted to bring that adaptability to my leadership style. Whether coaching a team or mentoring someone new, I've committed to prioritizing understanding how they learned best. After all, leadership is ultimately about helping others grow—and that means tailoring my approach to fit their needs.

Was It All Worth It?

Whenever someone asks if it was worth it—if I'd willingly put myself through all that chaos again—I pause. There were definitely moments when I questioned my sanity. Sleepless nights filled with case studies and peanut M&Ms sometimes felt like an endless grind.

But there were also moments of clarity when everything clicked—when I saw how the lessons applied to real-world challenges or stepped into leadership roles with more confidence than I'd ever had before. Those moments made it worth it.

Lessons to Carry Forward

Looking back, grad school wasn't just about earning a degree. It was about learning how to lead with empathy, adapt to challenges, and embrace growth—even when it was uncomfortable. It was about discovering that leadership wasn't about having all the answers; it was about asking the right questions, building the right team, and never stopping the pursuit of growth.

If nothing else, those two years taught me that resilience is built one challenge at a time. And sometimes, it's the little victories—like finishing a paper at 11:59 p.m. or channeling my inner Rory Gilmore—that kept me moving forward.

Would I recommend it to anyone else? Maybe. It depends on your goals, circumstances, and willingness to embrace a little chaos. But for me, the journey was messy, exhausting, and ultimately transformative. And that, I think, was the point.