As a type A high school honors student, I had always believed that college was the ultimate destination for me. After years of working hard and scoring high on exams, I had never doubted that I would eventually be accepted into my dream musical theatre program at the University of Michigan. And when that acceptance letter finally arrived, I truly believed that I had made it – that I was one step closer to fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a Broadway star.

But just two weeks after receiving that letter, my world was turned upside down. I found myself in the hospital, facing a life-threatening illness that would completely change the course of my life. As I lay in a coma, my dreams of college and a career on the stage faded away.

Over the next few years, I struggled to come to terms with my new reality. I faced countless surgeries and setbacks, but I also experienced a sense of self-discovery that I never would have thought possible. I founded a chocolate business, wrote and starred in a one-woman show about my life, and taught nursery school. But despite all these accomplishments, something still felt like it was missing.

And then, the idea hit me – what if I went back to college? At 25 years old, I was no longer the typical 18-year-old freshman, but I knew that my life experiences had given me a unique perspective that I could bring to the college classroom. And so, I began the long process of applying to colleges, submitting applications and essays, and finally, finding a school that felt like the right fit for me.

When I finally stepped foot on campus, I felt an incredible sense of excitement – along with a healthy dose of apprehension. I worried that I would feel out of place among my younger classmates, or that my health issues would prevent me from fully participating in college life. But as I immersed myself in my studies and started to make new friends, I realized that I had nothing to worry about.

In fact, going back to college has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I’ve had the chance to study subjects that I never would have thought to explore before, from anthropology to tattoo artistry. I’ve met people from all walks of life and made friends with students of all ages. And perhaps most importantly, I’ve discovered a renewed sense of purpose and direction that I never thought possible.

Going back to college may not have been part of my original life plan, but it’s turned out to be exactly what I needed. It’s given me the opportunity to explore new ideas, pursue my passions, and connect with a diverse community of people. And most importantly, it’s shown me that we are never too old to chase our dreams – no matter how unconventional they may seem.