Danielle Aikens

Go for it, there is a lot of help and programs that are so beneficial.

Danielle Aikens

Returning to college after dropping out when you’re pregnant can be scary. Dropping out after you went back to college can be disappointing. 2016 I decided to go back once more. I finished my associates degree being on academic probation the whole time I was there. I paid for my classes out of pocket because I struggled a lot with doing the class work. I finally graduated in 2019 and was accepted to 3 universities. I originally wanted to go to Winthrop but at the time they had students that live in NC be considered in-state but had to pay out-of-state costs. That is now changed a year after I originally was going to go because I did not think that was considered fair. Since winthrop became a disappointment, my next choice was UNC Charlotte. My first semester, I was an overnight bakery manager for 14 cafes, taking 2 in-class classes, one twice a week and the other 3 times. I had one online class as well. I unfortunately failed that online class. My second semester at this school the pandemic hit and turned a lot of things upside down. But I kept going, I stayed in school, and I retook the class I failed that summer. Unfortunately I did have a rough patch being on academic probation with UNC Charlotte that actually helped me get out of it. I only took one class each semester because I was paying for it and it was all I could afford since I had a rough patch with financial aid being all over the place. There were many times I cried, screamed, and wanted to give up. I hated how far away I was from my goal and wanted to get closer and closer. Now I am currently 11 classes away from graduating and I got out of academic probation. I planned to take 1 class this summer, 4 in the fall, and then 4 in the spring and 2 next summer. It’s not easy going to school, having a child homeschooled, and working full time with extra shifts to cover ends meet. I did step down at work and thankfully my company let me keep my manager’s pay so I could continue to put myself in school. I did not walk for my diploma. I did not walk for my associates. I’m not going to walk for my bachelors. But I will walk when I reach my doctorate degree. I’m going to be over 30 years old when I finish, but at least I’ll be in my 30s doing what I love instead of in my 40s wishing I did.

Danielle’s advice: Go for it, there is a lot of help and programs that are so beneficial. Teachers work with you as well as any academic staff. I am truly thankful for my experiences with everyone here thus far and they treat everyone with respect. I do feel that the people here at this university want me to succeed. And by God, I will.