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At 70 years old, Robert Truchon from Canada found his way back to school after 30 years away. Armed with new technology skills he learned through the Covid-19 pandemic, he felt drawn to enroll as an online student at BYU-Pathway Worldwide . Combining the gospel he loved with the higher education he craved, BYU-Pathway was the perfect place for Robert to succeed.

Gospel-centered learning

Photo: BYU-Pathway/Michael Lewis

For most of his life, Robert was a music lover and composer. 鈥淏efore I met the gospel, music was my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was traveling to Quebec City and to Montreal to see shows of progressive rock and progressive jazz.鈥� After he met the missionaries, his love of the gospel overshadowed his love of music. 鈥淚 stopped most of my music time, and I devoted all my time to learning the gospel and the teachings of the Church."

Robert loved how BYU-Pathway combines gospel teachings with academic learning. One of the ways BYU-Pathway brings the Spirit into education is through monthly devotionals. 鈥淚 never missed one [devotional] and I took a lot of notes,鈥� he said. Then, Robert would discuss the teachings in his gathering, which helped him remember each speaker鈥檚 words.

Student support

Photo: BYU-Pathway

As Robert worked toward completing PathwayConnect , the first year of introductory courses, he faced technology issues and struggles with group work. 鈥淚 tried for a while, but finally I decided to quit,鈥� he said. The missionaries noticed Robert's absence and reached out to him. 鈥淓lder Jensen contacted me and offered me an opportunity to come back. If he hadn鈥檛 done that, I would have quit.鈥� Elder Jensen鈥檚 kindness encouraged Robert to keep moving forward.

Learning and growth mindset

At BYU-Pathway, students learn how to learn, and Robert was excited to discover a new way to think. 鈥淚 like [having a growth mindset] very much,鈥� he said. 鈥淸I like] that you can learn at any age and you can learn all your life.鈥�

Robert鈥檚 new growth mindset gave him the capability to do more than he ever imagined. 鈥淚 learned that I can do hard things,鈥� he said. When faced with problems using Excel, he persevered with help from service missionaries, student support, and Microsoft IT support to get it working properly. Even a difficult assignment to go job searching didn鈥檛 keep him down. Robert relied on his strengths and used his new networking skills to find a job as a translator for a company that specializes in culture and the arts.

Advice to BYU-Pathway students

Robert loved his time as a student. When asked what advice he would give other students, he said, 鈥淵ou are going to have hard things to do, but it's worth it. You're going to be proud of yourself when you finish and get your certificate or your degree . . . There's no reason for you not to succeed if you try to do your best.鈥�

With resources and support provided, see how your education is possible through BYU-Pathway Worldwide .