I am your typical college student. My day begins with not enough sleep after staying up late studying because I procrastinated. I sometimes skip breakfast to get to class. There is even that rare morning that I show up to class in my pajamas because I overslept and had to jump out of bed to get to class. Yes, I am your typical college student, except I’m not. I am earning my degree trough distance learning.

We all know what a traditional college student is. It is one who graduates high school and then goes straight to college. So, what exactly is a non-traditional student? According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the characteristics of nontraditional students, “include entry to college delayed by at least one year following high school, having dependents, being a single parent, being employed full time, being financially independent, attending part time, and not having a high school diploma.” It also includes those who choose to study through distance learning. I am one of those who is completing my degree through online classes.

I am a mother and grandmother who is just getting around to finishing my degree. Life happened, and before I knew it, I was forty-something. I still hadn’t completed my degree and was feeling like a failure. I decided I would go back when my youngest headed off to college, and it was the best thing I could have done.

Not only was I achieving a lifelong goal, but it filled my empty days. I began to have confidence in myself again because I was now so close to my dream of earning a degree and becoming a published author. It hasn’t all been a bed of roses though. It has been more difficult this time around. With life and family responsibilities, having the time for everything can be overwhelming at times. I am fortunate to attend a university that not only has a great degree program, but also as a wonderful staff who is willing to do whatever it takes to help its students succeed.

When I first began taking online classes to complete my undergraduate degree, I must admit I was worried that the coursework I was studying, or the degree I was working to attain was not as good as one in which I actually went on campus to complete. Over the years, I have heard stories about “those” online schools, but as time went on, I realized the courses I was taking were no less than the ones that are being taught in a classroom setting.

Being able to take classes online is the reason I am able to work to complete my degree. Aside from my life and the responsibilities it holds, I am also visually impaired so getting to an on-campus program was difficult. Having the option of studying online is what has allowed me to work towards my degree without the extra stress of finding transportation to class.

Many, if not most, of the Universities in the U.S. are doing so. The Ivy league schools are taking part in online and distance learning as well. It isn’t just the for-profit schools providing online programs. It would be safe to say that there are more nontraditional students attending college than traditional ones. Get Educated reports that 73% of college students fall under the nontraditional scope.

There are so many opportunities for those who dream of completing their degree to do so now. Whether it be attending a traditional campus, or studying online, it can be done. It has opened the doors for millions of people who have wanted to obtain a degree, and with the wide variety of programs now available, the dream of a college degree is no longer out of reach. Take the opportunity to achieve your dreams. I did and it I the best thing I could have done for myself!