Leslie Tisdale grew up on the СAPPСAPPs campus, working with her parents at Campus Copies СAPP a familiar student stop on St. Mary Boulevard for nearly 30 years.
Graduating from the СAPP decades later is a significant milestone for Tisdale in her years-long journey of physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
СAPPI never thought I'd be where I'm at today,СAPP says Tisdale. СAPPMy life is just starting for me at 46.СAPP
A string of setbacks
In 1991, Tisdale dropped out of high school as a junior and spent years struggling with drugs and alcohol. In 2009, she took her first steps toward breaking the cycle and earning a degree but relapsed shortly after.
Eventually, Tisdale says, she was able to make progress. She began working full time while building momentum toward her degree at South Louisiana Community College. She was set to transfer to UL Lafayette in Fall 2017. But her progress was interrupted.
That summer, while in her last semester at SLCC, doctors found a tumor on TisdaleСAPPs brainstem. She managed to complete her finals and then immediately had to undergo surgery.
СAPPI was told IСAPPd be home in five days; I was gone for two months,СAPP Tisdale says. СAPPI had to relearn how to walk, talk, and eat.СAPP
While Tisdale was still in the hospital, her mother brought in her mail and Tisdale saw a familiar vermilion fleur-de-lis. She opened the envelope to learn sheСAPPd earned a scholarship to UL Lafayette. What would have been great news only a few months before was another blow for Tisdale.
СAPPIt was very disheartening because I was like, СAPPI don't know when I can go back to school, if ever,СAPPСAPP Tisdale says.
Finding a new path
Somewhat serendipitously, UL Lafayette announced the General Studies Online degree program in June 2017. The program was specifically designed for students with college credits (but no degree) who might have obstacles in coming to campus.
For Tisdale, it was a godsend.
СAPPI would joke around and say, СAPPThis program was made just for me,СAPPСAPP she says. СAPPI couldn't have gotten up and gone to school and walked to class СAPP it just wasn't that easy for me. So, the online program was just a godsend.СAPP
Tisdale waited until sheСAPPd completed her physical therapy to enroll in the online bachelorСAPPs degree program. Still, her family and friends worried about whether she was ready.
She admits it was a struggle.
She began the program in June 2018 with two courses and says, at first, it would take all day to write a paragraph. But she progressed in the program and in her recovery.
СAPPNow IСAPPm writing six-page papers,СAPP she says. СAPPI lost a lot in my surgery. Everything I knew was taken away from me in one day. Being in school has helped my recovery process, just having a feeling of normalization СAPP that IСAPPm being productive toward my education and professional life.СAPP
Customizing a routine
Tisdale says a big component in her success was understanding her learning needs. Because her cognition is best in the morning, she made a point to get an early start on her coursework. She also made sure to stick to a routine.
СAPPThe first couple of weeks are the most challenging to figure out what's expected of you and what that class looks like, then itСAPPs just getting in a routine,СAPP she says. СAPPI use a planner to write down a daily sheet. And I definitely donСAPPt procrastinate.СAPP
Students enrolled in the General Studies Online program can choose from several concentrations. Tisdale chose behavioral science. She says because of her experiences, she wanted a curriculum that could enable her to help others in similar circumstances.
She says courses like Stress Management, HLTH 451, has equipped her to help others and better manage her own life.
СAPPThat course helped a lot because I had a lot of stress with this new way of life, with not being as mobile,СAPP she says.
Being able to take courses 100% online also helped her stress levels, Tisdale says.
СAPPI don't have to get up, get dressed, get in the car, find a parking spot СAPP that's only two hours of your life right there," she says. СAPPBeing able to do school at home has reduced my stress by so much. I remember before my surgery, I was like a robot: get up, get dressed, go to school, go to work, come home, do homework do it all over again. Now I have a little bit more freedom. And that's been amazing.СAPP
Tisdale also credits her faith, saying without her trust in God, СAPPI would not have made it through.СAPP
With her bachelorСAPPs degree nearly in-hand and six-and-a-half years sober, Tisdale says sheСAPPs celebrating more than a graduation. SheСAPPs celebrating life.
СAPPNo matter what life throws at us or what happens in our life, we can face it and still get it done,СAPP Tisdale says. СAPPIСAPPm very grateful for the program because itСAPPs been part of both of my recoveries. ItСAPPs prepared me to get back to work after being on disability for three years.СAPP