Gracie Easley, '24 BA

Coming into ASU as a transfer student felt like any other college I've been to and so I didn't have much expectations, I was wrong. To be honest, ASU wasn't my first school to be transferred after I received my Associates and what I found as an online student just like any other in-person student, I found inclusion and a community who would have my back as I was getting my bachelor's. 

What I remember most fondly of my experience as an online student was that I was always scared every semester because I felt like I was going to fail but even throughout each the semesters, I had my professors, advisors, coaches, and friends to keep me going in my education journey. I don't know why I kept thinking I had to do this alone but it turns out, you don't; ASU wants you to thrive and will always have your back even if you fall down or need to step down. I remember my first semester that I thought I was going to take that semester off due to family issues and when I dropped my classes, my academic advisor called me worried and questioned if everything was alright; I told her no and I wasn't sure if I was able to complete that semester but she assured me that there was always someone to talk to if plans had changed. Luckily, it did. ASU helped me personally to find my own voice and gain control of my life when I felt like I didn't. My degree is English and I choose it because I wanted to improve my critical thinking as well give off my perspective because as a struggling person who doesn't like to speak up for what's right, I want to be able to do that more.