by Charlotte Louise Nystrom

Created on: February 04, 2009   Last Updated: February 17, 2009

Enrolling in online education is the best decisions I have ever made. After three tumultuous years of traditional education, the frustrations of schedule conflicts, and commuting became too much. Online education entered my life as the perfect solution.

Now I wake each morning according to my own inner clock. I leisurely shower, dress, and eat breakfast. When ready, I begin my studies gently, often by reading. Later I move on to greater challenges, like quizzes or essays.

I function best in mid-morning to early afternoon. Therefore, my designated study time is from ten am until two pm. I study five days a week, leaving weekends for leisure or extra shifts at work. After two o'clock I am free. I can go to work, clean the house, or get in a workout.

I take full advantage of being in the comfort of my own home. I can study on the couch in my pajamas, stretched out on the floor, or while sipping a cup of herbal tea at the kitchen table. On days when I feel distracted, I can break from my studies and take a walk. A deep breath of fresh air helps to renew my focus.

When I am stumped, my advisor is only an e-mail away. There is no need to make an appointment according to a busy professor's schedule. Alternatively, I can go browse the online message boards. The boards are a wonderful resource for connecting with other students.

Each course offers a fresh new syllabus to explore. There are textbooks to read, and assignments to complete. Course projects provide a fun and challenging way to put our knowledge into action. Lectures are replaced with more intimate chat sessions.

Each course is followed by a traditional final exam. Exams are composed of multiple choice and essay questions. I use my textbooks to find answers to multiple-choice questions. However, essay questions require deeper thought and understanding.

When I am ready and confident I submit my assignments online. I get to my quiz results as soon as I hit the submit button. Projects and essays take a professor's careful evaluation. I typically receive grade within three to five days.

Attending college online has all the rewards of a traditional college setting without having to leave the comfort of my own home. I do not waste energy timing commutes, hunting for parking spaces, or juggling schedules. My entire focus is on actual coursework. In under a year I will have painlessly earned an accredited Bachelor's degree.

Learn more about this author, Charlotte Louise Nystrom.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.