When I decided to pursue my doctorate at Breyer State University, I was already teaching psychology and enjoyed what I was doing. Some people asked why I wanted to continue my education, but for me the answer was simple. I have always believed that learning should be ongoing. As educators, we encourage our students to challenge themselves, and I believe we should be willing to do the same.
Completing a doctoral program while working full time required planning, discipline, and consistency. During the day I was teaching classes, preparing lessons, meeting with students, grading assignments, and responding to emails. My evenings and weekends were often spent reading research articles, writing papers, and revising assignments. There were times when it was challenging to balance everything, but I never lost sight of why I started the program.
One of the things I appreciated most about the program was how it changed the way I approached research. I became more thoughtful about evaluating evidence, looking at different perspectives, and asking questions instead of accepting conclusions at face value. Those skills have carried over into my teaching. Whether I am teaching college students or high school students, I encourage them to think critically, support their ideas with evidence, and understand that psychology is more than memorizing theories. It is about understanding people and applying those concepts to everyday life.
The most significant part of the program was completing my dissertation. My research focused on the psychological and spiritual impact of the loss of physical functioning in cancer survivors. I chose this topic because I wanted to better understand what happens after treatment. Medical care often focuses on helping individuals survive cancer, but many people continue to adjust to physical, emotional, and psychological changes long after treatment has ended.
As I reviewed the research, I found myself thinking about the individuals behind the studies. Changes in physical functioning can affect independence, relationships, confidence, and identity. Those experiences are not always obvious to others, but they can have a lasting impact. At the same time, I was impressed by the resilience many survivors demonstrated as they adapted to new challenges and continued moving forward with their lives.
Writing the dissertation taught me patience. There were many revisions, countless journal articles to review, and times when I needed to rethink sections I had already written. That process reminded me that good research takes time. It also reinforced something I often tell my own students. Learning is a process, and improvement usually happens through revision, feedback, and persistence.
The doctoral experience also influenced the way I teach. I have always tried to make psychology relevant and engaging because students learn best when they can connect concepts to real situations. Throughout the program, I found myself bringing more research into my classes while also looking for ways to make that research meaningful. Whether through discussions, activities, case studies, or examples from everyday life, my goal is to help students see that psychology is something they experience every day, not just something they read about in a textbook.
Another lesson I took away from this experience was the importance of staying curious. The more I learned, the more I realized there is still so much to explore. That is one of the reasons I enjoy teaching. Every semester brings new students, new questions, and new opportunities to continue learning alongside them. I believe that curiosity is one of the most valuable qualities both educators and students can have.
I am grateful that I chose to pursue my doctorate at Breyer State University. The program strengthened my research skills, expanded my understanding of psychology, and challenged me to continue growing professionally. More importantly, it reinforced the value of lifelong learning. Earning the doctorate was an important milestone, but I see it as another step in my professional journey rather than the end of it.
I am grateful that I chose to pursue my doctorate at Breyer State University. The program strengthened my research skills, expanded my understanding of psychology, and challenged me to continue growing professionally. More importantly, it reinforced the value of lifelong learning. Earning the doctorate was an important milestone, but I see it as another step in my professional journey rather than the end of it.