Online College is Convenient But Not Easy

On-line, at the associate’s level, in addition to the long paper, there are shorter papers from 350 – 750 words each week, and other writing assignments. The final exam on-line is not a test, people could cheat on that. On-line the finals are a paper in the neighborhood of 2,000 words which must use the information learned over the 9 weeks of class.

At the bachelor’s level and above, in addition to the lengthy individual paper each week, there is a team project due each week, with a team project for finals. Teams are required to work together to research, write, and build the paper or power point. Teams communicate through school forums, email, instant messaging, and telephone. Teams are an important aspect of on-line school and in the work place. More jobs are expecting people to work efficiently and effectively together in a diverse setting; many jobs require team projects. Learning to work with other people is a skill employer’s seek out in candidates, so I am very fortunate for this opportunity.

Working on teams to build a paper in the virtual world is not simple and it is VERY stressful. Finding time to read, research, attend, respond, email, post, and write papers is difficult enough. Add your morning routine, children, employment, travel time, social life, shopping, errands, spouses, and the rest of life to the equation and you will soon begin running out of time to schedule anytime for yourself – including sleep! Now add attendance to team forums, team discussions, team meetings, more research, more writing, more reading, editing and splicing, team paper approval, communication, conflict management, motivation techniques, team jobs, team deadlines and several time zones into the equation and – oops! You are out of time!

Not to mention you are out of patience, you burned your dinner, the kids are asking you to play, team members are not managing their time the same as you, and you have another paper to write. Week in and week out. On-line school is anything but easy or stress free ~ take it from me, I know.  

BUT  . . . . The benefits of on-line education reach further than the convenience of attending class in your pajamas. I can multitask, use all forms of computer communication, delegate, lead, follow, edit, and write like crazy. I have memorized APA formatting, become proficient with computers and software, and have learned to type very well. On-line students who stay with it are more of an asset to an employer than that of a traditional student who may have limited computer experience and who has yet to practice their knowledge in a functional way needed for the actual work setting.

Through my experiences with on-line school, I have become confident in my skills and abilities. I have become excellent at leading, time management, breaking down tasks, delegating, motivating myself and others, communicating, and even teaching. I have learned a great deal of what employers are looking for, how to achieve what they seek, and how to actually apply that knowledge. Because of teams I have had the opportunity to apply that knowledge and learn from those experiences as well, simulating the work setting, making my mistakes and learning what works, before trying it at work.

As I continue my experiences and education today, I barely recognize the old me. I am now a confident woman, who knows what I can do for my employer. I am not afraid of the interview questions any longer, and I owe it all to my hard work and dedication through on-line education. It is not easier, it is not stress free ~ but it is worth every second.