How I Went from a 0.97 GPA to a PhD (and Why I Know This Stuff Works)

I began college like a lot of students do—riding high on my high school success, blissfully unaware that the academic rules of the game were about to change. In high school, I was top of my class. In college? Let’s just say the transition was less “smooth sailing” and more “shipwreck.”

I rolled into my first semester with nothing but some solid high school habits and a dream. By the end of that semester, I proudly earned a GPA of… wait for it… ZERO. POINT. NINETY. SEVEN. Yep, you read that right 0.97. Not even a full point. That’s not a GPA—that’s a radio station.

Demoralized and utterly confused, I dropped out after my second semester. I took a year off, licked my wounds, and seriously considered joining the circus (okay, not really—but it felt that dramatic). Eventually, through sheer grit, a few deep life chats, and the help of mentors who actually taught me how to learn, I went back and earned that degree.

But I didn’t stop there. I went on to earn a Master’s in Counselor Education and a Ph.D. in Workforce Education and Development. Today, I help students and professionals develop the very skills that turned my academic life around.

Here’s the thing: my story isn’t rare. Tons of students hit the wall when they realize college isn’t just a harder version of high school—it’s a whole new universe. What made the difference for me was finally learning the “hidden curriculum”: how to manage time, think critically, ask for help, and take charge of my own learning.

That’s exactly why I created these programs and services in my consulting business. I’ve lived this. I’ve struggled. I’ve figured it out—and now I teach others how to do the same. If you’re looking for a real-world, been-there-done-that guide to student success and self-directed learning, I’m your person. We can give you the tools to help students 

turn their academic “What the heck is happening?” into “I’ve got this.”