Our students come from every background, but share a goal: building a future on their own terms. Read how they did it, or add your voice and help someone else see what’s possible.
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How an OL student social helped Arif build connection in distance learning
When Arif Mahmood returned to study through TRU Open Learning, moving away from a traditional classroom setting was a big adjustment. Studying on his own felt isolating at first, but his perspective shifted when he attended the 2025 Open Learning Student Social in Vancouver. “Going to the Vancouver social changed that. I met people taking…
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How Chrissy is advancing her nursing career at 54
When Chrissy Knott completed her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program as a full-time working single parent at age 41, she proved that educational ambitions have no age limit. Today at 54, she is continuing her education through self-paced TRU Open Learning courses toward a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies to prepare for an LPN-to-RN…
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Why taking longer to finish your degree won’t derail your career goals: Michelle’s story
For many adult learners, returning to post-secondary education means fitting coursework into an already full life. For Michelle Ens, a Bachelor of Arts student double-majoring in Psychology and Criminology, returning to finish her degree just before turning 37 meant learning to manage competing priorities. Between managing school hours, holidays, and summer breaks for her three…
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Don’t rush it: How Jason balanced business, family, and online studies on his path to law school
The thought of returning to university later in life can be daunting for many. But for Jason, a Bachelor of Arts student, taking that leap at age 37 was the first step toward a lifelong dream. This September, at 43 years old, he will walk into law school. Jason’s path was not a straight line….
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The non-linear path: How Randi is bringing over two decades of experience into a TRU credential
The path through post-secondary education might be a straight line for many students. But for Randi Obenauer, a Bachelor of General Studies student, it’s been a multi-faceted journey of building one milestone upon the last. A single mother, leather goods maker, motorcycle upholstery specialist, nonprofit volunteer, and project manager—sometimes all in the same week—Randi brings…
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A healthy dose of humour and a mission to make students feel seen: How Matt leads student engagement at TRU
I’m passionate about helping learners achieve their goals through the power of flexible education, because life rarely pauses politely while we go back to school. Between careers, kids, caregiving, laundry mountains, and the occasional existential crisis, finding time to learn can feel like trying to schedule a meeting with a raccoon: complicated, slightly chaotic, yet…
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More than just a number: How personal connections fuelled Amanda’s BTech journey
For many online students, the journey to a degree can feel like a solo marathon. But for Amanda, a 2023 Bachelor of Technology graduate, the path to her credential was paved with personal connections that made all the difference. “Having the same advisors throughout kept me engaged in completing my degree,” Amanda says. While many…
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Why balance isn’t the goal: Marianna’s path to a degree with four kids and a full-time job
Balance is not the goal for Marianna Abutalipova. As a full-time TRU World Student Services Supervisor, mother of four (two of them teenagers with busy sports schedules), and a Bachelor of General Studies student through TRU Open Learning, she’s learned that something has to give. “Balance is not the right word here,” Marianna says. “We…
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How Open Learning helped Wesley land a higher-level public sector role
For Wesley, the road to career advancement wasn’t straightforward. After completing his Accounting Diploma at Douglas College, he quickly realized that not having an undergraduate degree was holding him back from landing higher-level positions in the public sector. “I honestly didn’t think I’d go back to school,” Wesley admits. “But when I started applying for…
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Closing gaps, not pressing pause: Luke Kitching’s learning journey
While working full-time, Luke returned to school through TRU Open Learning’s Bachelor of Technology, Trades and Technology Leadership program. Balancing a busy family life, career, and personal interests, Luke found it challenging, but rewarding, to fit study time into his days. The online, self-paced courses in Open Learning made it possible. “The key to my…