Current GVSU Adult Learners
Ausar Martin
What inspired you to begin or return to school, and how did
you decide to pursue your current major/program or degree?
My inspirations tend to begin as a gentle nudging that expands as
an unquestionable certainty. I received a letter in the mail after my
failures post associate's degree consumed my confidence on if college
is truly right for me. I thought, why not try one more time? This
letter was an invitation to apply to the LEADS program for returning
adult learners. I felt delusional. When I stood between the decision
of doing and not doing, I knew that the regret of not trying would
hurt me more than taking another chance at a bachelor's degree. I
wanted more, and knew that there was a potential of experiencing more
with pursuing this online program.
What challenges have you faced as an adult learner, and how
have you overcome (or working on overcoming) them?
It seemed as though every semester was life's jab to the kidneys,
and I wish that that statement was an exaggeration. My first semester
into the LEADS program I experienced an initial cycle of grief. My
first class into this program opened my eyes to all of the various
ways that students can learn. That there isn't one static mode to
learning. It was in these moments that I realized that I wasn't a bad
student, but my learning styles were not previously nurtured in ways
that harnessed my cognitive power, and I am happy that I found this
nurturing in the integrative studies program. The following semester
involved a new job, a move to my first apartment living alone, and the
loss of a beloved family member in the span of one month. The next
cycle involved job loss, the loss of my beloved cat, and a physical
injury that debilitated me for several months. What kept me going day
by day was the "coincidental" timing of events.
Participating in class assignments about the meaning of occupational
work helped me process job loss. One class assignment I partook in was
hosting a group discussion about the nuances of grief, and this helped
me through the loss of my family member. As I learned from another
course I've taken, "resilience is an action" it is not
something that is ever done, but recurring on a daily basis. I have
learned through my life experiences that it is not what you go through
that defines you, but what you make out of those experiences. I am not
perfect, but one thing I do well and that I believe all humans are
capable of, is getting up and trying again one more time.
How has balancing outside commitments such as work and family
impacted your studies, and what strategies have helped you succeed?
In the recent year, my outside commitments kicked up. I decided
from working at GRCC that education is where I feel the most
alignment. Working in an environment that is oriented towards growth,
learning and community is where I always longed to be but never had
the language for. From there I decided to dual enroll working on my
B.S. in integrated studies and my masters of adult education in
student affairs leadership (M.Ed). Again, I felt this tug and this
pull towards a path that felt delusional at the time. Decisions always
feel delusional when they never have been done that specific way
before. I continued to persist and received a promotion at GRCC to be
the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of People, Culture and
Equity. In this position in life, I worked on my B.S., M.Ed, and
maintained a 40+ hour work week in college administration. What helped
me succeed during this time, was a level of organization that crept on
the side of obsessive. I had to construct a daily life that made it
impossible for me to fail miserably. I removed all daily distractions
and set up boundaries not just for people in my life, but I had to set
boundaries with myself. That meant no social media because I am prone
to doom scrolling. That meant no late night parties because the two
days it takes for me to recover takes away from the time I have to
study. I also had to become a pro at reframing my thoughts when I get
too hard on myself. Sometimes we have to protect ourselves from the
things we want today, to obtain the things we want to continue to give
back to us every day for the rest of our lives. Our thoughts also
create the conditions in which our lives are constructed.
What has been the most rewarding part of your educational
journey so far?
What has been the most rewarding part of my educational journey
is neuroplasticity in every sense of the word. I was able to witness
first hand just how malleable mind and body truly is, no matter what
age you are. I went from a C at best student, to maintaining A's in
master level courses before officially finishing my bachelor's degree.
Even more important than the grades, I have contributed to the
co-creation of knowledge within the classroom. I have reframed my mind
to analyze and synthesize information from multiple disciplines and
see patterns and connections between all things. I speak differently,
and it isn't in my tone or use of decorated words. It is in the way
the message that is in my head is effortlessly released in my spoken
language, which was always a barrier for me as I didn't speak much
growing up. I am excited to continue learning, and contribute to the
growth of the collective.
What advice would you give to other adults considering going
back to school but feeling uncertain or hesitant?
If you look at the root of all decisions, there are always only
two options. Do it, or not do it. There are consequences to both, and
both options have their own set of difficulties and challenges. Know
that under either circumstance, regret is the most permanent pain. If
you try and fail, your ego might be bruised but these are all learning
experiences. The only lesson you can learn from regret, is learning
what it is you truly desire. Never let regret be your last lesson.
Interest Area(s)
Integrative Studies
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