My Academic Life, Now With 90% Less Panic

By Mahbubul Hassan

I most certainly did not expect the most encouraging moment of my return to higher education to happen in a Zoom meeting at 9 am after a grueling 36-hour shift, but life is full of surprises. Logging into my advising meeting at the University of Bridgeport, I was mentally prepared to leave disappointed and discouraged. My previous advising experiences at other campuses were character-building, to put it nicely. Previous advisors had dodged my questions about getting into their nursing programs, as if I were asking for classified government files. One advisor refused even to discuss nursing prerequisites until I took an English-as-a-second-language exam, even though I speak English fluently and can explain medical terminology better than some people can explain their emotions.

When my UB advisor popped onto the screen, on time, with a kind smile and an actual willingness to help, I was shocked. He calmly sorted through my collection of credits, earned from multiple colleges, military training, paramedic programs, and enough online classes to qualify as a part-time hobby. He asked me questions, explained what transferred and what did not, mapped out all of the nursing prerequisites, and walked me through the admissions timeline. Then we created a schedule together that would get me into the nursing program as efficiently as possible, without interfering with work or other obligations. For the first time, I did not feel like a too-old outsider trying to squeeze into academia; I felt like a student.

My experience with my advisor matters because these kinds of interactions can turn crippling self-doubt into genuine confidence. UB's campus culture makes moments like this possible for nontraditional students. While I have not been physically on campus yet, every professor I have had so far has been kind and resourceful, and the feedback I have received on assignments has encouraged me rather than discouraged me.

Zoom calls like this may seem small, but they have huge impacts. The University of Bridgeport gave me a moment of clarity and encouragement at a time when I was close to giving up. When future professionals, nurses, teachers, and engineers feel empowered and supported, they are more likely to stay in school, accomplish their goals, and give back to their communities. Making higher education accessible, especially for nontraditional learners, impacts not only one student's future but also improves the world around them.

Mahbubul Hassan

I immigrated from Bangladesh to the U.S. at fifteen. After working as a bank fraud analyst, I made a major pivot into active-duty military service, where I discovered my passion for healthcare. After transitioning out of active duty, I continued that momentum as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic with the New Hampshire National Guard and work full-time in the community as a Paramedic. I'm currently a Pre-ADN student at UB, looking forward to furthering my education and spending my limited free time with my girlfriend and our very demanding tabby.