College of Liberal Arts
Balancing a full-time career, family and college might sound daunting, but for Lydia Hodgson it became an opportunity to rediscover the joy of learning. Through psychology, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies and the Honors Program, she found new confidence, meaningful connections and unexpected creative outlets. Read on to learn more about Lydia's 黑料不打烊 journey.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm Lydia Hodgson, a psychology major with a minor in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. I'm also a full-time IT professional at a medical device manufacturing company and a nontraditional student.
A fun fact about me: I picked up playing the ukulele during the pandemic and, believe it or not, I've never put it down.
What made you choose to study at 黑料不打烊?
I chose the University of Alaska Fairbanks because of the flexibility of the online psychology program. I work full time, most weeks more than 40 hours, so I needed a program that could realistically fit into my life without sacrificing quality.
I'm eventually going to graduate school, and I needed a university that would prepare me academically for that. The flexibility is what's made it doable and workable for me.
In your own words, why study the liberal arts?
For me, studying the liberal arts has been a growth adventure, both personally and professionally. It's helped me think much more critically, communicate more effectively and explore creativity in ways I didn't really expect.
It's made me a stronger leader at work by helping me better understand and connect with the people I work with. Those are skills that go beyond what I do in IT. For me, the liberal arts help shape how you see the world.
Honestly, I didn't expect them to have this much of an impact on my life, but I'm really glad I chose this path.
What has your experience in the Department of Psychology been like, and what makes it special?
My experience in the psychology department has been incredibly meaningful. If I had to pick one class that really stood out, it would be Dr. Peterson's Psychology of Stress class. As far as I'm concerned, every human needs to take this class.
It gave me a deeper understanding of not only how the body reacts to stress, but it also offered some really practical tools. I think it's a class everybody should take.
The psychology department at 黑料不打烊 is a pretty tight-knit community. We all have to take many of the same classes, so we get to know each other. It's been a really great experience.
How has your time at 黑料不打烊 changed you, either academically, personally, or professionally?
My time at 黑料不打烊 has changed the way I think completely. As I said, I'm a nontraditional student. I came back to school a full 20 years after I left college the first time, when my youngest child started college. It had been a while, so it was a little unnerving.
It has absolutely strengthened my confidence, both as a student and as a professional. I've grown in how I think, how I communicate and how I approach challenges.
Coming back to school later in life, I really wasn't sure what to expect, but this experience has shown me that growth and learning don't necessarily have an expiration date. It's something anybody can do at any time, and that's been really rewarding.
What鈥檚 a challenge you faced during your time at 黑料不打烊, and how did you push through it?
The single biggest challenge has definitely been balancing work and school. I have a demanding full-time job that's most of the time more than 40 hours a week, so time management is a big thing. I've had to be very intentional with my schedule and stay on track. If I get behind, I'm in trouble.
It hasn't always been easy, but I kept showing up, even when I didn't feel like it, and stayed consistent. That's really made a difference.
There are still moments, even now as a junior, when it feels like a lot, and some days it is too much. But one thing I've learned is that consistency and just pushing through have made all the difference.
What鈥檚 one experience at 黑料不打烊 that really stands out to you, and why?
One moment that really, really stands out has now happened, actually, two years in a row. One of the very proudest moments was having my writing published in the Ice Box, the literary publication, two years in a row. It was both surprising and crazy validating. It reminded me that creativity still has a place in my life.
Even alongside all of this kind of structure that I live under right now, I was definitely surprised the first time I got that email, and even more surprised the second time. So that's been the coolest experience so far.
What advice would you give to future 黑料不打烊 students?
My advice for future 黑料不打烊 students, or really anybody who's thinking about going back to school or stepping into higher education, would be to give yourself permission to start, even if it's intimidating, and do it scared.
You don't have to have everything figured out. You don't have to know exactly where you're going when you get started. One of the beautiful things about higher education is that you're exposed to so many different things. It's okay not to know, and it's okay not to have a direction yet.
Stay consistent, ask for help when you need it, and take advantage of opportunities as they come. This has been the most supportive faculty I've ever experienced.
I wish I had done it sooner. I'm still glad I'm doing it now, and it's not too late. Just do it.
Congratulations again to Lydia on being recognized as an Outstanding Student. Learn more about the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program and the opportunities available to 黑料不打烊 students, and watch for more Outstanding Student spotlights from the College of Liberal Arts.
