Skip to main content

Meet Ally, Busy High School Student Getting a Jump Start on an Environmental Science Degree

Alexandra, 16

University of West Georgia
Chapel Hill High School

Alexandra is a student at Chapel Hill High School and is currently attending college online as a dual enrolled student with the University of West Georgia. 

Why is completing your degree important to you? 
I plan to transfer my credits to UGA in order to pursue a degree in environmental sciences (most likely). This is important to me because I will not have the skills or qualifications to pursue a career in environmental work if I do not complete an accredited degree program. 

Why did you choose to take online classes? 
I chose to do online classes with eCore because I was not satisfied with the options available at my school, and due to my class schedule, extracurricular activities, and distance from my home institution, an on campus class would have been inconvenient for me

How would you describe the instructors you’ve had in your eCore class?
The online teachers are, in one word, distant; but they are available to help when needed. It is definitely not like the classroom experience where the teacher is always right there instructing you directly. 

What has been the best thing about taking online classes?
The best thing about taking online classes is definitely flexibility. I can choose how to spend my time. If I need to work on one unit more than another, I can take more time on that one. I can also prioritize my time with my schedule, so if I need more time for other classes, I can take that time as well. 

When you’re not working on your eCore class, what else are you doing?
I still have other classes at my high school, so when I'm not working on my online course work, I am either at school, doing extracurriculars such as marching band or musical, working on homework for my high school classes, and the rest is free time spent with friends and family. 

How and when do you make time to focus on your eCore class?
I took two out of eight class periods out of my school schedule to work on my online courses. Therefore, I wake up in the morning and work on my eCore coursework, then go into school at 10. 

What would you say to someone who is considering taking their first online class through eCore or eMajor?

If you procrastinate, don't do it. If you have poor planning skills, don't do it. If you are awfully forgetful, don't do it. In these classes, no one is there to push you or give you a warning. You are completely on your own when it comes to getting things done, and that means you have to be responsible for yourself. The teachers and tutors are there to help you when needed, but they aren't supposed to be baby sitters. You have to have maturity and discipline in order to be successful in these classes. To those who have their heart set on taking eCore classes, to you I say good luck and remember to take your own notes. It really helps. 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

eMajor Gave Me a Second Chance: One Student’s Journey to Earning Her Bachelor’s

After taking a break from college, Saucony Hunt learned about affordable, online degrees through the University System of Georgia’s eMajor program. Hunt was 12 years into her career when she became increasingly aware that she needed to complete a bachelor’s degree to continue to advance. Hunt initially enrolled in college right after high school, but reflects that she was “not prepared or focused enough to complete a degree at that time.” While she has no regrets about joining the workforce, she began looking for educational opportunities when she approached the midpoint of her career. Now she’s enrolled at East Georgia State College completing her degree in Organizational Leadership fully online through the USG eMajor Program , This program offers a flexible route that allows students in many career paths to tailor their learning and possibly receive credit for demonstration of learning achieved during past work or military experiences. What drew Saucony to eMajor was the unparallel...

Online Students Giving Back: Volunteer Opportunities in Georgia During the Holidays

As we move into the final weeks of class and into the holidays, many online students look for opportunities to reconnect in person and make a community impact. The holiday break is an excellent time to engage in volunteer opportunities that can boost resumes and provide personal fulfilment.  If you are working through the holidays or struggling to balance it all, consider starting small. Even a donation or a call to an elderly visit or friend is a powerful start. And as an online student, you have likely developed unique skills that can make you effective in both virtual and in-person community endeavors. Following are a few ideas for holiday volunteer work in Georgia: Ring the Bell. You can become a holiday Salvation Bell Ringer and help raise funds for disaster relief, homeless shelters, and anti-human trafficking efforts. You can sign up for as little as a two-hour shift in your local area. Share the Feast. The Big Gobble (Columbus, LaGrange, and Albany) is one of many organiz...

3 Things to Consider Before Taking an Online Class While Overseas

Online Learning allows students the flexibility of continuing their educational journey from anywhere in the world. Online classes are an excellent option for students who are studying abroad for the semester, military members and families who are stationed overseas, or even those who want to take classes while traveling for pleasure. While online classes can usually be accessed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, there are some things to consider before registering for class if you intend to complete the course while located outside of the U.S.  Availability of a Reliable Internet Connection To access most online classes, students must have a reliable internet connection. This may be a challenge in some areas of the world due to various issues such as local network instability, outages, firewalls, or restrictive local internet policies. Before registering for an online class, research the internet accessibility situation in the area in whi...