by Hala Monsour

Created on: May 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 21, 2011

Going to Jones International University for a Master's degree was the best decision I have ever made. I have learned so much, I don't even know if organizations have the room for my potential :); in all honesty, because I made up my mind, and wanted to sit down and buckle in, I found the solutions, at my fingertips - literally and figuratively speaking. Here is how it all came together for me.

Several years ago, when I started my undergrad program, I opted for the online venue because the concept presented a flexibility through which I could fulfill my duties as a mother, hold and maintain my professional duties, and go to school. I did not have a good grasp of what online learning was, nor was I necessarily motivated about the experience, other than just wanting to get a degree to secure some aspects of my future.

I started a few classes and found the pace to be very reasonable but there was still much to learn. All I knew was that if I checked into my online course a few times a week, and submitted my assignments, I would receive a passing grade and move on to the next course.

After a few classes, I received had to take a break from school due to work obligations, therefore, I had to put school on hold. It was not after returning to school and in keeping the experiences that occurred during the break that I realized; I must pursue my degree at full speed.

I started taking my classes more seriously and wanted to be the best at everything I came across in the classes. Of course, I now realized that there was much more to school than attending, doing the expected minimum, and passing. With this, I also realized that I am not the duty expert or content expert in the classes I took but there was no reason not to give my best at everything I came across in each course.

Thus, I adapted the mindset of treating each class as if my life depended on it to pass - - ok so this is a little drastic, but truthfully, I pursued each course, as if that was the course that I must do the best in, so I can move on. I personally added a little pressure on obtaining the highest grade possible as a reward for my hard work.

The idea of mine had me working hard at giving my best, even more. I did not allow myself to slip (common errors were acceptable, not knowing about the subject matter was acceptable, but not giving my best was not acceptable under any circumstance), therefore I worked hard at staying ahead by one week, sometimes two weeks if I had the energy. This approach was

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