I have always regretted not continuing college, and getting that degree that I had wanted. At the time I was young, a mother by the age of 18, and I just wasn't focused enough to finish. I had planned on going back, and talked about it year after year. But as time always does, it just flew by, and I was now a mother of three wondering how would I attend college and take care of my children. Online schools seemed to be becoming increasingly popular, and I thought this might be the way to go after my dreams and still be the mother and wife I needed to be. As I talked to family about it, I was met with the "online college isn't the same and your degree won't be real." Despite all this, I decided to go for it, and started my journey as an online student.

I have found being an online student that everyone around me really doesn't acknowledge I am attending a real college. They think it's easy, and not real work. I don't really get asked how everything is going, and no one thinks I have a reason to be stressed. A day in the life of an online student is hard! If you are a parent and/or have a job it's even harder! I have to stay motivated, and encourage myself to do my work. I have to fit my schoolwork into my everyday life, and since no one sees this as a real college that is hard. I have to be able to multitask. No one cares if I have a paper due, and they are ready to eat dinner. I don't go to a regular classroom so I don't have that time with a teacher explaining things to me, and other classmates next to me who can help. I have to do a lot more research, and learn on my own. Teachers and students are an email away, but that doesn't mean you will hear from them the same day.

Being an online college student is one of the hardest things I have done. It is also one of the most rewarding things I have done. Yes, I get stressed and overwhelmed when I have a dozen things on my plate, but I am chasing my dream. I am learning about a subject I love. I not only get to take classes and learn, but I also get to be a writer and president of a club. My children see how hard I am working every day. Hopefully, this shows them the value of hard work, and makes them want to accomplish goals they have in life. I have made some great friends, and communicated with instructors one on one which is a valuable resource. I am getting a real college degree. What I am doing is important. To those who think it's easy to attend an online college, I challenge them to take a day in my shoes. Please try to do school work , attend conference calls, online meetings, and add all my other responsibilities as a mother and wife to it. Maybe try it for a week even, and I am sure your attitude about the way I have decided to attend college will change. It may be hard work, but I wouldn't change it for anything.