Using What You Have: How Resourcefulness Can Carry You Through College
How Limited Resources Became My Greatest Strength in College and Beyond
When people talk about succeeding in college, they often focus on what students have: stable finances, quiet study spaces, reliable technology, or uninterrupted time. But for many students—especially adult learners, parents, and first-generation students—success doesn’t come from abundance. It comes from resourcefulness.
I learned early on that waiting until I had “enough” would mean never starting at all.
When I returned to college as an adult learner, I began my academic journey in Wheeler County, the rural community where I was born and raised. Three years later, Wheeler County would be named the poorest county in America. At the time, I wasn’t thinking in terms of statistics—I was thinking in terms of possibility. I had responsibilities, limited time, and limited resources, but I also had determination. I chose to attend school online through Southern New Hampshire University, not because it was easy, but because it was possible. Online learning allowed me to fit education into the margins of my life instead of waiting for life to slow down.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to technology became even more fragile. At one point, I completed coursework using my children’s school hotspot—sitting where I could get a signal, submitting assignments whenever the connection held long enough. It wasn’t ideal or comfortable, but it worked. That experience taught me a powerful lesson: progress doesn’t require perfect conditions—only persistence and creativity.
It’s easy to delay goals while waiting for better circumstances—better internet, more money, more time, more support. Growth often begins when we stop asking what we are missing and start asking what we can use right now. For me, that meant relying on shared internet access when personal service wasn’t available, studying during quiet moments rather than ideal ones, completing assignments late at night or early in the morning, and making full use of online libraries and free academic tools. None of these were perfect solutions, but together they created momentum.
There’s a misconception that students with limited resources are unprepared or unsupported. In reality, many develop advanced problem-solving skills simply to stay enrolled. They learn how to adapt, prioritize, and persist—skills that are not weaknesses but leadership traits. Every obstacle forces a decision: stop or adjust. Each adjustment builds confidence academically and personally.
Choosing an online program was not about convenience; it was about access. Online education allowed me to continue learning while raising children and managing real-world responsibilities. For students with limited resources, flexibility can be the difference between quitting and continuing. Education should meet students where they are, not require them to abandon their lives to participate.
Learning how to be resourceful did more than help me survive college—it shaped the way I move through life and lead in my career. When you learn to work with limited resources, you develop the ability to assess situations quickly, identify solutions, and act with confidence even when conditions are uncertain. That skill has stayed with me long after graduation.
In my professional life, resourcefulness has become one of my greatest strengths. It allows me to build partnerships where funding is limited, create solutions in rural and underserved communities, and translate constraints into opportunities for collaboration and innovation. The same mindset that helped me complete assignments using a shared hotspot now helps me navigate complex systems, connect people to resources, and lead with clarity and resilience.
Looking back, I no longer see my lack of resources as a disadvantage—I see it as preparation. College taught me more than coursework; it taught me how to adapt, persist, and lead. Learning to use what I had gave me the confidence to step into larger rooms, take on greater responsibility, and serve my community with purpose. Resourcefulness didn’t just help me finish college—it helped me build a life and career rooted in strength, creativity, and impact.
