| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheryl Strayed | University of St. Thomas, University of Minnesota, Syracuse University | B.A., M.F.A. | English, Women’s Studies, Fiction Writing | 1991, 2002 |
Educational Journey
Cheryl Strayed attended three different colleges in her educational journey. She started her college education at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she enrolled as a freshman in 1986. She was accompanied by her mother, who also took classes at the same university for free as a parent of a student. Strayed’s mother was a passionate learner who wanted to pursue her education after raising three children as a single mother.
However, a tragic event in 1991 interrupted Strayed’s college plans. Her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and died within two months at 45. Strayed was devastated by the loss of her mother, who was her best friend and role model. She dropped out of college and spiraled into a period of grief, depression, and self-destruction. She divorced her husband, experimented with drugs, and had several affairs.
Strayed eventually returned to college and transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in English and Women’s Studies in 1991. She graduated with honors and received several scholarships and fellowships for her academic achievements. She also met some influential professors and mentors who encouraged her to pursue her writing career.
One of them was Brian Lindstrom, a documentary filmmaker who became Strayed’s second husband in 1999. They moved to New York City together, where Strayed enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program in fiction writing at Syracuse University. She studied under renowned writers such as George Saunders, Tobias Wolff, and Mary Gaitskill. She graduated from Syracuse in 2002 with an M.F.A. degree and a thesis that later became her first novel, Torch.
Strayed’s college education profoundly impacted her career as a writer. She learned how to craft stories, develop characters, and express her voice through words. She also gained valuable insights into the human condition, the power of empathy, and the importance of honesty. She used these skills and experiences to write her memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, which chronicled her solo hike across the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995 as a way of healing from her mother’s death and her troubles.
Wild became an international bestseller and was adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Reese Witherspoon. It also inspired millions of readers to embark on their journeys of self-discovery and adventure. Strayed followed up with other successful books, such as Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar, which collected her popular advice columns from The Rumpus website; Brave Enough, which compiled her inspirational quotes and aphorisms; and Burnt Sugar: A Novel (forthcoming), which explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter.
Interesting anecdotes
Strayed’s college journey also had some interesting anecdotes and trivia that reveal more about her personality and interests. For example:
- She changed her last name from Nyland to Strayed after her divorce as a way of reinventing herself.
- She once worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT) during her college years.
- She wrote Wild without notes or journals from her hike because she had lost them over the years.
- She donated 10 percent of her royalties from Wild to the Pacific Crest Trail Association to support the maintenance and preservation of the trail.
- She is an avid reader who loves books by authors such as Alice Munro, Flannery O’Connor, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Haruki Murakami.
Strayed’s college journey is relevant to today’s students who aspire to pursue similar fields or passions. She shows us that education is not only about getting a degree or a job but also about finding yourself, your purpose, and your voice. She also teaches us that education is not a linear or smooth path but rather a winding and bumpy one that can be filled with challenges, setbacks, and surprises. But through it all, she reminds us that education is also a rewarding and transformative experience that can open up new possibilities and opportunities for us.
In conclusion,
Cheryl Strayed went to college at three different institutions: the University of St. Thomas, the University of Minnesota, and Syracuse University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Women’s Studies and a master’s degree in fiction writing. Her college education influenced her career as a writer and helped her create some of the most acclaimed and beloved books of our time. She also shared some of the most fascinating and inspiring stories from her college years that reveal more about her life and work. She is a role model for students who want to follow their dreams and make a difference.