How an Online Course Changed My Life

Three months ago, I was at my lowest. I had just quit my 9-to-5. Not because I had something better—nah, I just couldn’t take it anymore.

I was burnt out, underpaid, and questioning my life choices. My savings were shaking like a Nigerian NEPA pole, and my parents were already side-eyeing me like, “So what’s the plan now, genius?”

One random night, scrolling through TikTok at 2 a.m. like a proper unemployed Gen Z, I stumbled on a video:

“Learn tech skills in 6 weeks and earn $3,000/month remote.”

Normally, I’d scroll past. But this time, something in me paused.

I clicked.

The link took me to a course platform I’d never heard of before. It looked clean, legit, and was offering a free trial week. I said, “Worst case, I waste a week. Best case, I become the next tech bro.”

I signed up for UI/UX Design. Not because I knew what it was, but because the thumbnail had pretty colors and the tutor looked like she drank oat milk.

I took the free classes. Then I took more.

Before I knew it, I was designing basic wireframes on Figma, joining Discord communities, and giving feedback like, “I think your user journey lacks emotional engagement.” Bro, who was I becoming?

Fast forward to Week 5, I got brave and posted one of my designs on LinkedIn. No expectations. Just vibes.

The next morning, I had 3 DMs from people saying stuff like,

“Are you open to freelance gigs?”

“We’re looking for a junior designer. Let’s talk.”

“Love your work. Let’s connect.”

I was SHAKING.

Me? That used to Google “what is UX in simple terms“?

By the 8th week, I landed a $700 gig designing a landing page for a small business in Canada. I danced azonto in my room. I even did small giveaway for my younger brother—airtime and shawarma.

But here’s the twist.

That same week, my ex reached out.

Not to check in o. She saw the same LinkedIn post. She messaged:

“Hey stranger. Proud of you. You’re glowing.”

At first, I ignored. Then she sent a screenshot of my post with a caption:

“You always said you’d find your way. You’re doing it.”

Listen… I’m human. I replied.

We talked. Then we started talking every day.

One month later, I flew her out to Lagos for a weekend. Spent part of my second gig pay on a beach house in Ilashe. (Very stupid, I know.)

That night, she confessed she still had feelings for me. I believed her. I was soft like pap.

But guess what? The next morning, I woke up and she was gone. Left with my iPad, my power bank, and my entire MacBook—the same MacBook I bought from savings and used to design my portfolio.

No note. No goodbye. Just heartbreak—and a lesson.

I cried. I raged. I almost gave up.

But after two days of sleeping on my cousin’s bunk bed and eating indomie like life was over, I remembered: I still had skill.

I still had my mind.

I still had Google Drive backups.

I still had ME.

So I got up, borrowed a laptop from a friend, and kept designing.

Today, I work full-time with a remote startup in Amsterdam.

I earn in Euros.

I send my mom money every month.

I help my younger cousins register for courses I believe in.

And yes, I still take online courses. Constantly.

Because learning online didn’t just change my career.

It tested my heart, my ego, my resilience.

So if you’re wondering if online courses are worth it?

Yes. 100%.

Just don’t let soft life make you soft-hearted like me.