Montoya Timaya Major, an exceptional 23-year-old, has successfully graduated three degrees from Nova Southeastern University in the United States with three degrees while simultaneously single-handedly nursing her newborn twins.
Montoya Timaya, who recounted her story on Facebook, admitted that she has faced numerous challenges alone, including having a C-section to deliver her twins. Despite all that, she has manageed to earn a second Bachelor’s degree in Cardiovascular Sonography as well as a Master’s in Health Science.
“Our program started off with 26 people and I am now 1 of 17 that will be graduating.” Montoya narrated, adding that she found out she was pregnant five months after starting her graduate program.
She mentioned that upon finding she was pregnant with twins, the program directors offered her to take time off and return the following year since it would be very challenging to complete the program with one baby, while with two babies it would be almost impossible.
She confessed that she never missed class until she gave birth. Her resolve was so great that she went back to class only a week after she had given birth via c-section as she was told that having missed a week of classes was unacceptable.
Montoya stated that taking care of her children caused her grades to drop drastically which caused her to suffer from severe anxiety. “I was so afraid of failing and losing everything and most importantly my kids.” she said. She added that she had thought about dropping out. However, not wanting to let her kids down kept her going.
She cited her father as her source of inspiration. “My dad ultimately inspired me to acquire all the degrees I have earned. Growing up with a single father, after my mother passed, my dad always instilled the importance of getting an education.” she explained. She talked about how her dad has always supported and motivated her as much as he could so that she would obtain degrees in the field she was passionate about.
She also expressed her gratitude for God for seeing her through her difficult academic journey. “I questioned God many times why was I going through so many trials and tribulations, why was my life so complicated, and why everywhere I turned it was something else drastically trying to stop me. But he had a plan for me, and WE made it! I persisted, I finished,” she said.
She continued by admitting that her two daughters gave her the resolve that she needed to push through. She also expressed her gratitude towards her father and her friends who provided her with moral support when she was at her lowest.
“Two years, two kids and TWO degrees later. By God’s grace… we didn’t just do it, WE MASTERED IT!!!! I am receiving my second bachelor’s in Cardiovascular Sonography and a Master’s in Health Science,” she added.
