Online learning has truly been a blessing in my life. Before I became an online student, I was struggling to get good grades, make it to class, and focus in lecture. The second I decided to switch to online classes, was the second I decided to take my education into my own hands. In the past it was easy for me to blame my surroundings for my lack of success. But now, I am aware that I am fully responsible for my own future, happiness and success. This leads to me to a few strengths that I possess. Knowing that I am in control of my future is one of the biggest strengths I can think of. I am in control of my time, which helps me become better at time managing. Like I’ve learned and mentioned throughout this course, time management is something I have always been relatively good at. I’m very organized, and task-oriented. Lastly, I am very motivated to graduate and do well, which helps me successfully complete assignments, ask for help when I need it and strive for success. These few things really help me with my online learning and will continue to help me later in life. I would still like to improve my studying habits. I think a lot of times I learn information for a test or exam, and then afterwards I put it out of my mind and don’t truly retain the information. I can do this by making flashcards, lists, and reviewing information in visual ways (since this is my chosen learning style). By seeing how I best learn, I can figure out ways to better my education experience.
Aside from using my learning style to help me study for tests, I can use it in my daily life as well. Since organization is important to me, and also important to my success in the future, I can continue to make detailed lists, mark up my calendar, and set goals. From this class I re-learned the importance of setting SMART goals. Before I would set goals that were unattainable, because it’s easy to want to achieve something, but it’s difficult to actually put in the effort to do so (as I’m sure you all know). Now I know how to best set goals that are reachable and measurable so I feel productive and successful on a regular basis- I think this is important to overall happiness.
The resource I chose to use for my further academic involvement is Young Life. I think this organization will help expand my faith, network, and group of life-long friends. I have an interest in this organization because I have been a part of it for 3 years, and I would like to become more involved with the hope that it will make me enjoy Oregon State even more. I think another great resource at Oregon State is the clubs available for each major. I have been a member of the Human Development and Family Science club since the beginning of my sophomore year. It has allowed me to meet people both online and in-person, that take the same classes as me and are interested in and someday doing something similar career wise.
My goal for the upcoming term is to get a 4.0 GPA. I think this is very attainable because I am only taking 12 credits, and I have been able to maintain good grades for over a year now. I’m going to do this by keeping good study habits, working ahead, and always doing my best on quizzes and assignments. I identified this goal with the interest of raising my entire GPA at Oregon State. For my Master’s program I need to have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, which I do, but I would like to strive for a higher one. It also is important to me because college is so expensive, and I want to make sure I am getting the most out of my education. Overall, I’m really excited about everything I have learned in this course, and I think it is applicable to my future education, but also succeeding in daily life as well!

As some of you might recall from the first few weeks of class, this is my last year at Oregon State. Time seriously goes by so quickly, and I’m both thankful and surprised how far I’ve come throughout college. Online learning is truly a blessing to me and just recently my family as well. A few days ago I found out my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. One of the biggest strengths that I’ve realized about online learning this week is the amount of flexibility- it will allow me to drive her to any and every appointment and be home to help her while she is sick. As for personal strengths I am a very organized person and I’m generally good with time-management. This is perfect for an online learning setting because I can sit down in the beginning of the week and write out what is expected of me, and make sure I have time to do it all on top of keeping up with my social life, and hobbies outside of school. I can’t stress enough how much I love online classes. I didn’t think “going” to school could be so fitting in my life and become something that I truly enjoy.

I believe I am pretty familiar with online courses and what they have to offer. I am surprised however at the difference it makes when you’re taking a full 15 credit schedule, versus just one online class. I have spent so much time on my computer and I actually am going laptop shopping today- super excited! I’m also surprised how well the rest of my life is falling into place around my online schooling. I can’t imagine what things would be like if I was still living in Corvallis right not, unable to travel and be home for my family.

As a freshman unaware of what I wanted to do with my life, I was in the Exercise Sports Science major program. I took anatomy, biology and chemistry only to find out that it wasn’t what I wanted to do… yes that’s right I went through sleepless nights of studying for exams in classes I no longer need to graduate. I struggled quite a bit these first few years, but as soon as I switched my major everything clicked and I started preforming very well in my classes. I now strive to get A’s in my classes, versus just making sure I pass with a C. I’m surprised how far I’ve come over the years, but also just in these past few weeks. I’m extremely motivated to graduate with a good GPA and with memorable experiences of my senior year. I’m surprised mostly that during week one of Fall term, I decided I loved online learning so much that I might even get my masters online. I always thought once I was done with my undergrad that I would say “see-ya” to school and start my life. I now cannot wait to further my education even more. A lot can change throughout college courses-in ways you can’t imagine-they open your mind to things you’ve never thought of before. Obviously the course information is interesting and most of it is new to learners, but throughout college courses you actually gain so much more understanding about yourself- and because of that, I am surprised.

Not to say I don’t have struggles, but compared to my previous college years, my struggles seem non-existent. First, you should understand that I struggled so much my last three years to physically go to class. I had a really bad habit of knowing I wouldn’t be able to learn in lecture, so I would teach myself what I needed to know and not show up to class at all. You can imagine that this impacted my results in the classes I was taking, because most of the time attendance is part of your grade. Now that my classes are online- the problem is resolved! I guess one thing I struggle with at times is not wanting to sit down and do my work. I know this sounds petty, but it’s true. Sometimes I just have “better” things to do. This is when the self-talk comes in and I remind myself that school is my job, and my work needs to be done whether I want to or not. Overall, I’m not struggling with online classes and I’m very thankful for that.