What Two Online Students Taught Me About Perseverance, Purpose, and the Power of Support
As we wrapped up National Distance Education Week earlier this month (Nov 3- 7), I had the chance to sit down with two remarkable Gardner-Webb online students for The Bulldog Mindset podcast. I expected a good conversation. What I did not expect was how deeply their stories would stay with me.
Online learners often embody resilience in ways that go far beyond traditional definitions of grit. Their lives are full. Their obligations are real. Their schedules are non-negotiable. Yet they step forward anyway because the degree they are pursuing is not just a credential. It represents a promise to themselves and to the people who depend on them.
This episode reminded me why online learning matters. It also reminded me that behind every transcript and every discussion post is a person working incredibly hard to build a future that looks different from their past.
Here are a few reflections from the conversation and what we can all take away from their stories.
1. Determination Looks Different in Adult Learners
Edna and Betty each came to their degree for different reasons. Edna returned to complete a goal she began as a teenager. Betty is building a future that includes expanding her working farm and creating space for autistic children to interact with animals in a safe, welcoming environment.
Their motivations differ, but the thread between them is the same. Determination shows up in everyday choices. It shows up in late-night work. It shows up in the willingness to keep going even when life is demanding more than it gives back.
Takeaway:
Purpose is powerful. Once adult learners tap into the reason behind their decision to finish a degree, they find the strength to move through challenges that would stop many others. Purpose fuels progress.
2. Belonging and Support Matter More Than We Think
One of the most consistent themes from both students was the sense of community they felt in the online program. They talked about feeling known. They talked about feeling encouraged. They talked about feeling cared for in ways that surprised them.
At the center of that support is our online success coaching team, particularly Senior Success Coach Casey Stafford. The students spoke about Casey the way many people speak about a trusted mentor. They shared how his guidance, planning, and encouragement helped them manage their degree without feeling overwhelmed. They knew they were not navigating this alone.
Takeaway:
Online learners do not need everything to be easy. They need to know someone is walking with them. A strong coaching structure can be the difference between stopping out and staying in.
3. Online Learning Is Not a Shortcut. It Is an Opportunity.
National Distance Learning Week recognizes how far online education has come and how essential it has become for modern learners. The episode reinforced this truth. Online learning is not a reduced version of college. It is a different pathway that allows students to stay rooted in their lives while still pursuing their degrees.
Edna and Betty both carry full adult lives. Work, caregiving, family responsibilities, health challenges. Online learning did not take those away. Instead, it gave them a pathway to move forward without stepping away from the people who rely on them.
Takeaway:
Flexible learning models expand access. They create opportunities for people who cannot relocate, pause employment, or step away from caregiving. When designed well, online programs change what is possible.
4. Every Student Journey Carries a Legacy
One of the most striking moments in the episode came when each student reflected on the idea of legacy. Betty spoke about wanting people to feel welcomed and at peace when they visit her farm. Edna quoted Maya Angelou. Both shared a desire for the world to feel a little better because they were part of it.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of working with adult learners. They know their degree is not only about themselves. It is about their children, their communities, and the people who will follow behind them.
Takeaway:
Online learners often lead with impact in mind. They want their education to uplift the people around them. Supporting them means supporting the ripple effects that follow.
Final Thoughts
I left this conversation grateful. Grateful for two students who showed what perseverance looks like in real life. Grateful for a coaching team, led by people like Casey Stafford, who make online learning personal and purposeful. And grateful for a university community that understands the real value of flexible, student-centered education.
If you work with online learners, take a moment to remember the human stories behind every email, every assignment, and every degree plan. They are not just checking boxes. They are rewriting their futures.
This episode is a reminder that education is still one of the most powerful tools we have to unlock potential and expand opportunity.
Check out part 1 of our focus on National Distance Education Week with our episode featuring Drs. Erin Cook (Public Service – provides leadership for 3 online programs) and Angie Smith (Business – provides leadership for 5 online programs). If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like and share the Bulldog Mindset with your co-workers, friends, or someone who may enjoy a little insight into higher education and the unique Gardner-Webb experience.