South Carolina’s Tessa Johnson Graduates Early, Eyes Master’s While Dominating on the Court
A remarkable student-athlete, South Carolina junior guard Tessa Johnson has achieved a milestone few college athletes can claim: graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in just two and a half years. Johnson walked across the stage at the December graduation ceremony, a testament to her dedication both on and off the hardwood.
Johnson admitted that the significance of graduating early didn’t immediately resonate. “I’m not going to lie, at first it didn’t really phase me about graduating so early,” she said. “Then when I was up there, all I could do was smile. It’s really cool. My family was there. It didn’t hit me as much as someone else because I still have a year and a half here.”
Despite the accomplishment, Johnson remains driven. “It’s a relief to graduate, but I’m not satisfied because I don’t have my master’s yet,” she stated, highlighting her competitive spirit and commitment to academic excellence.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley playfully acknowledged Johnson’s intellectual prowess. “I know Tessa doesn’t want to be known as someone that wears a pocket protector, but she is that,” Staley quipped, a testament to Johnson’s studious nature. Johnson, however, confessed she wasn’t even familiar with the reference, playfully demonstrating her focus on academics rather than stereotypes.
The path to early graduation wasn’t accidental. While the demands of college athletics often extend timelines for degree completion, Johnson proactively planned her academic journey. She began taking college classes and earning college credits while still in high school through North Central University. “I took a psychology class, and it was very interesting to me in learning how the brain works and to understand people in a different kind of way,” Johnson explained. Her dedication in high school, where she maintained straight A’s, laid the foundation for her collegiate success. “I do not like having any late assignments. I’m very organized. You never have to worry about me getting my work done.”
Johnson acknowledged a slight adjustment period early in her college career. “I didn’t stop caring about school, I just wasn’t focusing only on class as much my freshman year,” she said, adding that she regretted that initial imbalance. She quickly leveraged resources like study halls, tutors, and the Dodie Academic Enrichment Center to stay on track.
With a year and a half of eligibility remaining with the Gamecocks and aspirations to play professionally, Johnson is already looking ahead. She plans to begin work on her master’s degree, potentially in business, to broaden her future opportunities. “I really like seeing people succeed, and I like listening to people,” Johnson shared, explaining her interest in psychology and its potential applications. “That’s why I was interested in the psychology piece, so I could understand people a little bit more.” She added that her master’s plan is still evolving, but she is actively “praying about it.”
Johnson’s success story underscores the power of dedication and planning. “Whatever you put your mind to, it’s possible,” she affirmed. She is still adjusting to being recognized as an alumna of the University, recently expressing surprise when receiving something bearing that designation. “I got something recently that said alumni on it, and I thought, what’s this? I still go here!”
Johnson was one of two Gamecocks to earn their degrees in December, joining senior teammate Maryam Dauda in celebrating their academic achievements on December 15.
