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As a nontraditional student of 60 in an academic world of young, fresh and dewy 18-year olds, my computer means the difference between getting the degrees I always wanted and going through the rest of my life unfulfilled. Of course there is a difference in the college experiences of on-line and traditional classroom settings, but at this time in my life, I am glad to know I can achieve my goals without having to attend an actual physical university.

I discovered on-line education in my late 50s, and one day in a very receptive frame of mind, I applied to one of the few on-line schools that offered classes in psychology at that time. The subject was my passion, and I had searched for a way to obtain a higher education for years. My reasons for not attending college had been many. I graduated from high school at 17, got married soon afterward, and began raising a family the very next year. So much for higher education. To be more accurate, the idea of sitting through another four years of classes at that time didn't especially appeal to me, and I was quite fixed upon the idea of marriage and children. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I would wish I'd done things differently.

As the years went by, I began to have that nagging feeling that there was a gap in my life experiences that needed to be filled. By the time I reached middle age, I began to consider college in a more realistic way. There was nothing in my budget for a college education, but I was sure that would be resolved some way, and that it would become manageable. It was beginning to be a quest, and I spent a great deal of time looking at the possibilities. I knew my interest was psychology, something that had intrigued me throughout my life. But beyond my interest in it, there was nothing to steer me in the right direction.

In 2003, I found an on-line school that offered what I wanted. I could seriously consider it because they had a very affordable tuition plan. I worked around my schedule and even had a break somewhere in the middle of my classes, but I resumed my studies with renewed enthusiasm about a year later. I loved the courses, enjoyed the format, and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. Upon reflection, I don't feel as though I've missed anything by using on-line opportunities. I have my degree hanging on my wall to remind myself that it is possible to obtain knowledge at any age, and that I did it! Had it not been for on-line classes, I would not have been able to achieve my goal.

The good news is, I didn't stop there. Because more schools are now offering on-line education at affordable rates and their degrees are recognized by other universities and employers, I still don't have to travel for education. I'm enrolled in another on-line school for further studies in Psychology. My credits transferred nicely, and I'm on my way to fulfilling my fondest dream. I've decided that if time and my health allow, I will continue in school, and if possible, use a combination of on-line and campus learning at some point.

Yes, there are differences between on-line degree programs and campus programs. I can study and take exams at my convenience. I can work in the air conditioned peace and quiet of my home office. I'm not distracted by the youthful presence of my classmates. I don't feel "out of place" or different. I can focus on the course work for as long as I wish to absorb the material, and not feel pressured to move on without full understanding of the subject. I can feel good about what I've learned and what I've accomplished. The differences are very real, and my hat is off to the very real learning that takes place in an on-line setting.

Learn more about this author, G. Allendorfer Anderson, PhD.
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