What Happens When Plan A Doesn't Work — and Why That's Okay

How academic upgrading can turn a setback into a stepping stone for post-secondary success.

You've cheered at every milestone — from first days of school to graduation day. Now, your child is ready to take their next big step into post-secondary education, pursuing the career they've dreamed about for years.

But then, the unexpected happens: the school or program they carefully chose lets them know they don't yet meet the admission requirements. After all the effort and anticipation, it's easy to feel disheartened.

Yet what may seem like a setback can actually be an opportunity — one that builds confidence, strengthens skills, and creates a smoother transition into their chosen field.

Why upgrading can make a difference

By attending college for a year or more, students can upgrade the courses they need and often take some of the required or elective classes for their future program at the same time. This means when they do move into their dream program, they'll be better prepared and carrying a lighter course load.

Jessica's story: a detour that led to success

That's exactly what Jessica Sheard discovered when her path to pharmacy school didn't go as planned.

Jessica knew she wanted to become a pharmacist, but she needed to upgrade a few courses to meet the university prerequisites. She enrolled in the Upgrading for Academic and Career Entry (Adult Upgrading) program at College of the Rockies and later transitioned into the College's University Science program.

One of the things that stood out most to her was the small class sizes. The personalized attention and support she received from passionate instructors helped her thrive — and achieve the grades she needed to apply to pharmacy programs.

Now a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Jessica works full time at Shoppers Drug Mart. She encourages others not to be discouraged if their first attempt at program admission doesn't go as planned.

"The knowledge I gained in organic chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and anatomy and physiology was vital for my success in pharmacy," Jessica said. "It gave me an edge over many of my classmates who had completed their prerequisites at larger universities with bigger class sizes. I can honestly say that College of the Rockies was a great stepping stone for me to achieve my goals. Whether you're starting from adult upgrading or transitioning into University Sciences, the quality of education is outstanding. Plus, the affordability and the wonderful Kootenay lifestyle made it a perfect choice for me."

Every path forward counts

What began as a detour became the foundation of Jessica's success — and a reminder that sometimes, the scenic route leads exactly where you're meant to go.

For parents watching their children take those first independent steps, it's worth remembering: every path forward counts.