The first month was a struggle. Feeling out of place among the younger students and trying to keep up with reading and studying, Patrick had doubts that he would be able to make it. After that first challenging but successful year, things got easier. Patrick became a tutor to other students, made the Dean’s List four times, and, in his last semester, he made the Chancellor’s List, signifying a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA). He graduated in December 2002 with a 3.26 cumulative GPA.

Still living in Crookston, Patrick currently works as an independent contractor for Spencer Technologies of Minneapolis.

Patrick’s advice for older students returning to school: Take a smaller credit load the first semester while you get used to going to school again. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from other students, faculty, hand staff. Today, Patrick can’t imagine what his life would be like if he had not decided to attend college.

Edited version of story by Wanda Clark
University of Minnesota, Crookston student intern