Laughter and Learning at Any Age: Meet Online Student, Linda Phillips (A.K.A Lucy Carol)

Linda Phillips, 71

University of North Georgia

Major: Sociology

Expected Graduation: 2019

At 71 years young, Linda Phillips is pursuing a college degree in order to repurpose her life and give back to a cause that is near and dear to her. As a full-time student, grandmother of 7 (plus a great-grand), and a side-gig that keeps her laughing - this retiree is doing anything but relaxing in her golden years!

Why is completing your college degree important to you?

I have always wanted to get my college education but life happened and the years passed. Now I have the opportunity to fulfill this ambition and I am going for it with gusto. I would like to use my experiences and education to do advocacy work for the elderly.

Why did you choose to take online classes?

Up until this semester, I have taken the traditional classroom path but decided it would be beneficial to me to combine online and traditional classroom classes. This frees up time for me to study.

Besides being a college student, what do you spend your time doing?

Life as a student does consume most of my time these days but in my spare time, I like to spend time with my family. I have a son and two daughters; seven grandchildren (4 granddaughters and 3 grandsons - ages 11 to 40) and one great-grandson (age 5). My hobbies include antiquing, music, reading, and crafting. I am also a comedian. My alter-ego is Lucy Carol and she provides senior comedy for many senior events such as reunions, senior citizen functions, etc. I have also been the personal caregiver for many years for my family members and friends.

How and when do you make time to spend on your school work?

I start my day by checking my online class sites for assignments, announcements, scheduled tests then I enter this information in a planner for easy reference. I block off certain hours each day to accomplish my class work. I have set up a specific work area for my desk, computer, printer, phone and storage cubes for easy access, comfort and adequate lighting.

What would you say to someone who is considering taking their first online class?

I would suggest considering the commitment necessary to accomplish your goals. I must admit that being out of school for 51 years and all of the technological advances throughout these years has made this very challenging.

Comments

11 Georgia Colleges You Can Apply to for FREE in November

If you've been thinking about starting college, now is the perfect time to get the ball rolling. Why? Well, #NoFeeNovember is in full swing with many University System of Georgia (USG) colleges and universities - with several offering fee waivers for undergraduate students looking to apply for the Spring 2021 semester. Your next step is to decide where you'd like to attend. You have an abundance of eLearning choices at your fingertips! The great thing about attending college online is that it offers the flexibility of working at your own pace on a schedule that works with your work and family commitments. Keep reading for a list of University System of Georgia eCore and eMajor partner institutions that are waiving admissions fees through November 2020 for Spring 2021 applications. *Hint: Make sure to follow your prospective school’s social media account to stay updated with their upcoming events- the information is literally at your finger...

The Power of Experience: Why Online Students Should Pursue Internships

Internships are an important part of your college experience, whether you are taking courses online or on campus. With industries such as technology, healthcare, film production, and fintech booming in Georgia, internships aren’t difficult to find. Even better, many provide for remote or hybrid opportunities. For those not already working in their fields, internships allow students to build their networks, gain experience, and can often lead to full-time jobs. 1. Gaining Hands-On Experience Once you’ve reached your junior or senior year, you should have some idea about your career direction. You’ve probably gotten some solid classroom learning under your belt and have a basic understanding of your field. Whether you're a business major interning at a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta or a healthcare administration student working for a local government agency, internships allow you to develop real-world skills. 2. Expanding Your Network There’s nowhere better to expand your pro...

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...

Planet eCampus

Search This Blog