The Second Chance Classroom: Stories of Students Who Returned to Finish What They Started
Since 1999, BYU has offered a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree, which is designed to help former students come back to school and complete their degrees. The program aims to use as much of the student’s previously earned college credits to make their higher education journey more accessible with manageable steps. For many people, the difference between aspiring to do more and being able to do it is receiving an education, and a BGS degree from BYU opens that door.
To learn more about what the experience of the BGS program is like, a couple of past students were interviewed to learn more about their experience, and their responses are as follows:
Jackie Smith
When Jackie Smith first attended BYU in the early 1990s, finishing her degree felt like something she was expected to do. “In 91, it was a box to check off… kind of like graduating high school,” she said. After about two and a half years, her plans changed when she started a family. “I ended up having a baby… and just family circumstances didn’t allow for me to continue,” she explained. Still, “that was a goal that I always had, to finish my degree.”
Years later, after raising five children and returning to the workforce, finishing her degree became more urgent. “When I was looking for work… I was underemployed,” she said. “So I needed something that was more.” In 2023, she applied to the BGS program and quickly found herself back in school.
Returning as an older student changed how she viewed learning. “Back then… it was a box to check off… now it means more to me,” she said. “I have the lens of being older… everything means more.” She became deeply engaged, adding, “I didn’t miss a day… I was 100% attendance… and just loved every minute of it.” She also felt supported by her instructors. “All my professors have been really supportive… they never made me feel stupid,” she said. One told her, “I’m really proud of you… don’t stop.”
Through the experience, Jackie discovered new strengths. “My time management became very good… I had to say no to people,” she said. She also gained confidence working with younger classmates: “In every class, I’ve made friends and worked in groups with younger students,” she said. “I get along great with them, and I think they learn as much from me as I do from them.” She added, “I realized I can contribute… I have just as much to offer.”
Deborah Stapley
When Deborah Stapley first enrolled at BYU in 1980, she never imagined it would take her over 40 years to complete her degree. Between marriage, children, and everything else, she was unable to graduate before she and her family moved to Arizona for her husband’s law school. She attempted to transfer her credits to other universities, but those attempts proved discouraging, with many of her BYU courses not being accepted. Then enrolling in independent study programs, she took courses on and off and even, for a brief time, had a stint on national television.
With her education placed on hold, sometimes as long as years in between courses, “I had a very long break and didn’t pick it up again until 2006… and then again in 2017,” she explained. One pause came when she and her husband were called to be mission leaders in Mexico, just as she was preparing to finish. Upon returning home, she had one final class and a capstone project to complete.
The turning point for Deborah, however, came from a conversation with her granddaughter. “She asked me, ‘Grammy, what did you graduate in when you went to BYU?’ I said, ‘Well, actually, I haven’t graduated yet.’ The look of shock on her face… kind of hurt my heart. That’s when I decided… maybe I don’t need it for me, but I need it for them,” she said.
Reflecting on her time in the program, Deborah is grateful for the experience but recognizes the dedication and persistence that it required. Yet, she still encourages others who find themselves on the same path: “This is not the easy choice… but it is possible. Even if you start and stop, and even if BYU changes the program, it’s worth it. Just hang in there… eat the elephant one bite at a time.”
It’s Never Too Late
The examples of Jackie Smith and Deborah Stapley capture the heart that’s at the center of the Bachelor of General Studies program. While their paths might not be straightforward, they both were able to come back and finish what they started through the BGS program.