In 2023, Naidine Villa found herself at a crossroads. After staying home for over four years with her young son Ely, now six, she and her husband had depleted their savings. The pandemic had taken a toll on her mental health, and she knew it was time to reclaim her independence, rebuild her future, and return to school.

Pursuing an education after being out of school for more than 12 years was overwhelming.

“I didn’t realize how hard it would be,” Naidine said. “I went in blindly. I didn’t plan ahead, especially for childcare.”

With her family in another state and only her husband's family nearby, finding a safe space for Ely while she studied became her biggest challenge. But she was determined.

Naidine recently completed her Associate’s degree in sociology and liberal arts at the Northfield Community College Collaborative and will be transferring to St. Catherine University in the fall. She will be the first person in her family to earn a degree when she graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies in 2026. Eventually, she hopes to enroll in a master’s program for library science.

From professors who gave her the flexibility she needed to succeed, both as a parent and student, to advisors that helped her navigate local and statewide resources, Naidine found more than just academic support at Northfield, she found a community.

“I had people on my side who were my cheerleaders,” she says. “They believed in me even on days I didn’t believe in myself.”

Her goals today? A meaningful future, for herself and her family.

“A lot of people pursue a job for how much they want to make,” Naidine said. “More fulfilling work might not make millions, but the benefits of personal fulfillment are huge. I want to be an example for Ely and show him the value in giving and receiving.”

To other parenting students, she offers this advice: “Share your truth. Don’t be ashamed for taking steps to better yourself. Even a short pep talk from someone can make all the difference.”

Naidine’s story is one of resilience, community, and hope - a reminder that with the right support, it’s never too late to begin again.

For student parents in college, building resilience is key to staying on track and reaching their goals. Resilience is made up of five important elements: self-knowledge and insight, a sense of hope, healthy coping, strong relationships, and personal perspective and meaning. These elements work together to help student parents manage stress, balance responsibilities, and keep moving forward—even when things get tough.

One part of resilience is self-knowledge and insight. This means knowing who you are, what you believe in, and how you feel regardless of other’s expectations of you. It also involves recognizing your strengths and the areas where you need support. This kind of self-awareness gives student parents the confidence and clarity they need to navigate college and parenting at the same time.

Building resilience is a skill that takes practice over time. Below are three practical tips for developing self-knowledge and insight:

1. Take time to reflect: Set aside a few quiet minutes each week to think about your experiences, feelings, and reactions. Think about what went well and what was challenging and why?
2. Ask for feedback: Talk to people you trust and ask how they see your strengths and areas of growth.
3. Identify what you can and can’t control: Make a list of current challenges and sort them into things you can control and things you cannot This helps reduce stress and builds your ability to focus your energy where it really matters

Visit Help Me Connect to find local resources that provide family support and early childhood services in Minnesota and Tribal Nations. The online navigator is available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong with over 15,000 database listings that promote access to programs such as home visiting, developmental screening, parenting and pregnancy support, early learning/pre-K, mental health, food and housing assistance and immigrant/refugee support. Users can search for resources closest to their homes that support individual family needs, such as language access, children with disabilities, and flexible payment options. Help Me Connect is a partner resource to Help Me Grow and is designed to help families find a variety of supportive services that may be helpful alongside a Help Me Grow referral that is focused on a child’s developmental concerns.

Professionals working with young families can order free outreach materials and download translations, videos/podcasts and other resources online. Contact helpmeconnect@state.mn.us to share new resources, ask questions and request a demo or presentation.