A New Beginning
The decision to enroll at Tomorrow University (ToU) was not spontaneous, but the result of long deliberations and reflections. After over 26 years in a large international company, I wanted to develop further and be fit for the future. The global approach of ToU and the interactive learning method particularly appealed to me. Instead of being overwhelmed with an incredible amount of text, we learn interactively with our own app. More information about ToU and how learning is conducted there can be found here. The fact that the courses are taught in English was also very appealing to me, as English is the world’s lingua franca and provides the opportunity to connect with interesting people all over the world.
The Start
The first day at Tomorrow University was both great and overwhelming. It was very exciting to see all the new faces and immediately feel the international flair. I felt like it was my first day of school again, but also a bit out of place because most of my classmates were much younger than me. At the same time, I was excited because I could hardly wait for it to finally start. A rollercoaster of emotions, and exactly what I was looking for – stepping out of my comfort zone. From the first encounter, it was great, and our small study group of four got along immediately. It felt like we had been waiting for each other and could finally start. This is also reflected in our project – Tomorrow’s Harvest, an initiative to support education in Tanzania. More about this in another blog post, stay tuned.
Challenges and Successes
One of the biggest challenges in the first weeks was understanding how everything works, what is important, what is “nice to have,” and how much time everything takes. A lot of organizational matters needed to be clarified. Luckily, everyone at ToU was super helpful and always there when assistance was needed.
I had been in leadership positions for over 23 years and could delegate many tasks, but that was no longer possible. I had to develop a sense of how long certain tasks take and when the best time to study is. I also have a family that needs time, so I had to coordinate not just myself, but also the family and everything around it.
A specific challenge was using new programs like Cosmos and Notion, which I had never dealt with before. Initially, I was a bit overwhelmed by the many functions and possibilities. But after a few days of trying them out and with the help of my classmates, I became more comfortable. Regular check-ins with my study group and tutors who were assigned to us were particularly helpful. These were students who had been there longer and understood us immediately. This made the whole onboarding process very pleasant.
Personal Development
In the first weeks at Tomorrow University, I not only learned a lot but also developed personally. My perspective on learning has been reaffirmed; education is the foundation of everything. Everyone should have access to all the education in the world at all times. It should be normal to learn throughout life – no matter what – and everyone should be able to decide for themselves what they want to learn. In my view, learning and curiosity are the basis of human nature. Particularly valuable is that I have rediscovered the joy of learning for myself. It is fun after a short adjustment phase, at least for me.
An important realization was that lifelong learning is not a burden, but an enrichment. Through ToU’s interactive and practice-oriented approach, I have found joy in learning again. The ability to apply theoretical knowledge directly in projects has shown me how important and useful continuous education is and how vast the world outside the familiar can be.
Future Prospects and Goals
I aim to successfully complete my studies and apply the insights gained in my professional environment. In the medium term, I plan to start my own company and implement the principles of responsible entrepreneurship that I am currently learning in the Bachelor program Responsible Entrepreneurship & Management at Tomorrow University. I see the combination of decades of leadership and management experience in a corporation and the new knowledge from my studies as a huge potential.
I want to initiate projects that have a positive impact on the environment, society, and the planet – we only have one.
A concrete goal is to further develop and sustainably shape the project Tomorrow’s Harvest. We not only want to solve the financial situation by investing directly in learning materials, but also work on training and start-up investments for new start-ups in Tanzania in the medium term. In the future I see myself as a mentor and supporter for young entrepreneurs who want to implement innovative ideas.
Advice for Others
If you are considering a career restart, I can only encourage you to take this step. I am still at the beginning and have not yet gained much experience, but I would absolutely recommend anyone who wants to do it to go ahead. And even those who don’t want to yet should think about it – without pressure, just consider what if. A few hours less social media per week and more education.
Classics like Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” one of my favorite books – are highly recommended. I think it took until now for me to fully understand what is meant with habit 7 - sharpen the saw. Buy here.
Another recommendation is not to be discouraged by fears or prejudices. The step back into education can seem overwhelming, but the rewards are worth it. It is important to be open to new things and continuously develop. The network you build in such a learning environment can also provide valuable support and inspiration.
Conclusion
Overall, the start at Tomorrow University has been inspiring and reaffirmed my decision to take this path. I look forward to sharing more details about my projects and experiences in future posts. If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment!
Note: The link to the book is an affiliate link. If you purchase through this link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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