My doctoral journey was never just about earning a degree—it was about learning how to keep going, even when life felt overwhelming.
I started my dissertation writing at the same time I became a mother. And no one really prepares you for that kind of balance. While writing, I felt guilty for not being fully present with my baby. And when I wasn’t writing, I felt guilty for not doing enough to move forward. That constant push and pull—mom guilt and academic pressure—lived with me every day.
Then, during COVID, everything shifted again. I made the decision to move in with my grandmother to help care for her. In many ways, I was a seasoned parent stepping in to care for the person who had once cared for me. And in doing that, I uprooted my daughter—bringing her into a space where we were now pouring into the very people who had poured into me my whole life. The ones who molded me, supported me, and carried me.
At the same time, I was teaching virtually… trying to show up for my students through a screen, constantly questioning, Am I doing enough? Are they getting what they need? That teacher guilt sat heavy, too.
And then, just seven months ago, life changed in a way I wasn’t ready for. As an only child, I lost my mom, the one person who loved me unconditionally. It felt like she was just snatched away at a time when it felt like the dust from life was finally starting to settle.
There were moments when continuing didn’t feel possible. Moments when I was just trying to stay afloat. But I leaned into two things: James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” and my mother’s mantra, “finish what you start.”
So I kept going. Slowly. Imperfectly. And yes, sometimes consistently inconsistent. But I kept going. And over time, something shifted. Not all at once, but just enough to give me the strength to take the next step.
La’Ronda Washington
This journey taught me that perseverance isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s choosing to keep showing up, even when no one sees how hard it is.
And now I know—it was never just about the degree. It was about resilience.
So if you feel like you’re just treading water, keep pushing even when it’s hard, even when it feels slow. Because eventually, something will shift, and it will carry you forward in ways you never imagined.
La’Ronda Washington graduates from Prairie View A&M University this spring with a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
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