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It is highly challenging to obtain an online degree. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in English, with a Professional Writing specialization and Technical Writing Certificate. It sounds like a lot, but it is actually achieved by focusing on one class at a time, and one assignment at a time. I have been an online student for two years and have one year remaining until graduation.

My full-time job involves a lot of hustling, but I take my time with school. During my work breaks I check my school site to stay on top of what has been posted in the classroom. This includes announcements by the teacher, discussion posts by my classmates, and any grades I may have received since the night before. Classes are normally very dynamic, considering there are approximately 20 students in each class. I make sure I log in to school everyday to keep up with the activity.

In the beginning of the week - usually on Sunday or Monday - I check in to see what the assignments look like for the week ahead. Typically, they are due on or around the weekend. Then I start on the required reading for the week, which takes 3-4 days to complete at about 20 pages a day. The reading is either from a technical textbook or from literature and poetry volumes.

Once the reading is complete, I immediately begin working on the written assignments. There is no such thing as a day off from classes with an accelerated online degree. The assignments are not easy, because most of the teachers have high expectations. There are also quizzes and team projects to do. Graded assignments are returned within 48 hours along with comments and suggestions for improvement.

If I have questions about class instructions or assignments, I send a message to my teacher through the online faculty office, email, or if it is a more general question, I post it to the class, so that other students will be informed by the teacher's reply. Teachers respond to queries within 24 hours.

I am absolutely happy with my decision to receive an online degree. I feel I have developed a great deal of knowledge that I am already able to apply to my life. I know I will be well-prepared by the time I graduate and change careers. I would not trade my online degree experience for the world.

Learn more about this author, Christine Ashworth.
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