University of North Georgia
BA in History with Teacher Certification
Expected Graduation: 2019
What is your occupation?
I am self employed as a freelance artistic photographer, a full-time student, a full-time mom to a 3 year-old and a 17 year-old, and a full-time take-care-of-everything-elser.
I am self employed as a freelance artistic photographer, a full-time student, a full-time mom to a 3 year-old and a 17 year-old, and a full-time take-care-of-everything-elser.
What class are you currently taking with eCore/eMajor?
This semester I am taking HIST 1112 (World Civilizations) and GEOL 1011K (Introductory Geosciences). In the past I have taken World Literature and HIST 1111.
This semester I am taking HIST 1112 (World Civilizations) and GEOL 1011K (Introductory Geosciences). In the past I have taken World Literature and HIST 1111.
Why is completing your degree important to you?
Completing my degree has been a work in progress since the early 2000's. I graduated high school early, attended Technical College, and earned a degree and licensure as a Master Cosmetologist (which I still hold). That degree was meant to be a means to an end. I always held the desire to return to college for a degree. But, life happens; I became pregnant with my oldest child, married and divorced, and struggled as a single parent for years before enrolling at (then) Gainesville College. While I was able to earn some credits at Gainesville College by taking night classes, my progress was not sustainable as a single parent. I withdrew. When the college changed to Gainesville State, I enrolled again, and again found that the scheduling of classes for a single mother working retail hours just did not work. So again, I withdrew. When Gainesville State became part of the University System of Georgia and subsequently merged into the University of North Georgia, a new world of opportunities arose. So, I enrolled for a third time. And because of online learning platforms like eCore along with night classes, I have been able to sustain a steady pace and will graduate with my Associates this Fall before transferring into the B.A program!
Completing my degree has been a work in progress since the early 2000's. I graduated high school early, attended Technical College, and earned a degree and licensure as a Master Cosmetologist (which I still hold). That degree was meant to be a means to an end. I always held the desire to return to college for a degree. But, life happens; I became pregnant with my oldest child, married and divorced, and struggled as a single parent for years before enrolling at (then) Gainesville College. While I was able to earn some credits at Gainesville College by taking night classes, my progress was not sustainable as a single parent. I withdrew. When the college changed to Gainesville State, I enrolled again, and again found that the scheduling of classes for a single mother working retail hours just did not work. So again, I withdrew. When Gainesville State became part of the University System of Georgia and subsequently merged into the University of North Georgia, a new world of opportunities arose. So, I enrolled for a third time. And because of online learning platforms like eCore along with night classes, I have been able to sustain a steady pace and will graduate with my Associates this Fall before transferring into the B.A program!
Why did you choose to take online classes?
I chose online classes for the scheduling convenience. The classes are by no means 'easier,' but I can work them into my daily schedule a lot easier.
I chose online classes for the scheduling convenience. The classes are by no means 'easier,' but I can work them into my daily schedule a lot easier.
How would you describe the instructors you've had in your eCore/eMajor classes?
Thus far, my instructors have been phenomenal! I could not ask for more knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely interested instructors. I wish I could meet all of them in person!
Thus far, my instructors have been phenomenal! I could not ask for more knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely interested instructors. I wish I could meet all of them in person!
What has been the best thing about taking online classes?
There are several 'best' things. One thing that I love is that the classes are open-resource, which means no out of pocket expense for books! Another best thing is the platform; it is easy to use, simple, streamlined, and very convenient. And besides the convenience of scheduling factor, the instructors through eCore have been wonderful.
There are several 'best' things. One thing that I love is that the classes are open-resource, which means no out of pocket expense for books! Another best thing is the platform; it is easy to use, simple, streamlined, and very convenient. And besides the convenience of scheduling factor, the instructors through eCore have been wonderful.
When you're not doing school work, what are you doing?
When I am not doing school work I am usually busy taking care of my 3 year-old, spending time with my husband and with my 17 year-old. Genealogy is a huge hobby/passion of mine, so I spend a lot of time researching and taking (sometimes dragging) my family out and about with me to random historical spots and cemeteries. They love it. Well the 3 year-old not so much, but everyone else does. My occupation (photography) is more artistic in nature, so I do not typically take the usual 'family portraits'; my photos usually have a theme, such as fantasy, cowboy/girl, 30's singer at a bar, etc. Being creative with photography is a great stress reliever for me.
When I am not doing school work I am usually busy taking care of my 3 year-old, spending time with my husband and with my 17 year-old. Genealogy is a huge hobby/passion of mine, so I spend a lot of time researching and taking (sometimes dragging) my family out and about with me to random historical spots and cemeteries. They love it. Well the 3 year-old not so much, but everyone else does. My occupation (photography) is more artistic in nature, so I do not typically take the usual 'family portraits'; my photos usually have a theme, such as fantasy, cowboy/girl, 30's singer at a bar, etc. Being creative with photography is a great stress reliever for me.
How and when do you make time to focus on your school work?
I set myself on some sort of a schedule. It isn't a normal school schedule, but it works for me. For instance, I will get up early and log-in, check on the work that is coming up in my classes, make sure I have them written down in my planner (including reading assignments). Then I use my iPad for reading assignments while I am taking care of other things throughout the day. I use the Quizlet app on my iPhone as a resource for remembering vocabulary and terms. In the afternoon and evenings I get back online to complete any discussions, postings, tests, etc. For essays, I start working weeks ahead if possible, just to make sure I have good resources and a couple of rough drafts. School literally becomes a part of my life schedule, like breathing. I am touching it in some form all day, and while that may seem overwhelming, it truly isn't, because this schedule allows me to take regular breaks through out the day, which actually seems to help me retain the information better.
I set myself on some sort of a schedule. It isn't a normal school schedule, but it works for me. For instance, I will get up early and log-in, check on the work that is coming up in my classes, make sure I have them written down in my planner (including reading assignments). Then I use my iPad for reading assignments while I am taking care of other things throughout the day. I use the Quizlet app on my iPhone as a resource for remembering vocabulary and terms. In the afternoon and evenings I get back online to complete any discussions, postings, tests, etc. For essays, I start working weeks ahead if possible, just to make sure I have good resources and a couple of rough drafts. School literally becomes a part of my life schedule, like breathing. I am touching it in some form all day, and while that may seem overwhelming, it truly isn't, because this schedule allows me to take regular breaks through out the day, which actually seems to help me retain the information better.
What would you say to someone who is considering taking their first online class through eCore or eMajor?
Make sure you are ready to read a lot of material. Start mentally preparing ahead of time; figure out how you will merge your classes into your daily schedule, including weekends. Check in daily and participate in discussions; I have had some fun and lively discussions through eCore! Once you get the hang of your own personal schedule, you will love eCore. Just remember, you will get out of online classes what you put into them, and if you put in the effort, you will have an excellent experience, learn a lot of great information, and earn a great grade!
Make sure you are ready to read a lot of material. Start mentally preparing ahead of time; figure out how you will merge your classes into your daily schedule, including weekends. Check in daily and participate in discussions; I have had some fun and lively discussions through eCore! Once you get the hang of your own personal schedule, you will love eCore. Just remember, you will get out of online classes what you put into them, and if you put in the effort, you will have an excellent experience, learn a lot of great information, and earn a great grade!
What do you plan to do with your degree after graduation?
I plan to teach History at the High School level, within the public school system.
I plan to teach History at the High School level, within the public school system.
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