I tried college the normal way. Going to classes, staying in dorms, eating at a dining hall, gaining the dreaded freshman-fifteen. I experienced it. When I ran out of money for a brief period, I was forced to take a year off and move back home. My life changed drastically. I now work full time, while going to a university online, while having a social life. It's changed my life for the better.
Going to school online makes it so I don't have to actually "attend" my classes. I just have to log on and do the work for the day or the week. I could wear pajamas or even nothing if I wanted to. I can be comfortable in my own home while going to school, but that doesn't mean it's good to do schoolwork at home.
While at home, I get so easily distracted. I start to relax and get really tired, or one of my pets keeps my attention longer than my schoolwork. I find that I concentrate much better if I go to one of my local coffee shops. When I get my syllabus for a class, I plan out times to do my work ahead of time and schedule "school" by going to a coffee shop. Because I work full time, usually it's just when I get off of work or on one of my days off. Having these scheduled "school times" helps me stay focused and on top of my grades.
For the online program that I am a part of, the school does have semesters, but each semester is broken up into Term A and Term B. To be considered a full time student, you take two classes per term, and each term lasts about six weeks. This enables a student to get from anywhere between twelve and fifteen credits completed per semester.
Online programs, such as the one I am a part of, enable people who are well into their life to go back to school while growing their own families and working full time too. Many of my classmates are parents with children in school, and even college too. These students are busy with their own lives, but still want to earn their degrees, and they are given the opportunity with similar online programs.
I have found that attending college online better works out for my life. Being a "non-traditional student," I am earning the money I need to live on while working full time hours and going to school. I still have a social life, and am not overworked taking too many classes at once. Sometimes regular in class settings are not for everyone. Online school was the best idea I ever had, and I'm glad I made the decision.
