Planet eCampus

Jasmin Khan recalls the unease she felt when working at a hospital as a Human Resources Assistant during COVID-19. Like so many, Khan found unexpected challenges when the pandemic brought physical and emotional hardships to most Americans. Acknowledging the “chaos in her life” caused by the pandemic, she left the job she loved to take a remote role.  While remote work felt safer, she soon realized that her lack of a four-year degree limited her career opportunities. When considering pursuing a promotion, she became concerned that she had the skill set but was lacking the required level of education. No matter how impressive her experience, career progression was difficult without a bachelor’s degree.  And as a busy mother of two young children, she found flexible and affordable options for returning to school very limited. The Search for Flexibility and Quality Then she discovered Georgia Southwestern University’s online programs through USG eCampus. “It felt like a breath of ...

Fall semester in college represents new beginnings. For those just starting college, it’s a wildly exciting time with some serious adjustments. For returning students, it’s a time to build on past success or move on from previous challenges. In spite of all the advice you may receive, success really comes down to three simple things. And with USG eCampus (eCore and eMajor) online courses, you have committed partners in your instructor and support team. Believe that You Will Succeed The first step to success is to truly believe that you will succeed. No matter what courses lie ahead or what has happened in the past, envision yourself doing well. Research indicates that mindset is closely related to college success. And this sometimes means letting go of strategies that didn’t work for you in the past. For example, if studying in your room proves to be too distracting, consider going to a library or a coffee shop. If waiting until the last minute to post an online discussion leads to you...

You're faced with that five-page paper or 300-word discussion post online. Like many students, you use long sentences with unnecessary words to fill the space. Even worse, you are repeating the same ideas. There is a time for an overabundance of words . These include expository writing, letters of apology, certain types of poetry and Shakespearean-style scripts. But filler words don’t typically belong in your everyday writings. Use these tips to quickly strengthen your short papers, your cover letters, and your online correspondence. You're faced with that five-page paper or 300-word discussion post online. Like many students, you use long sentences with unnecessary words to fill the space. Even worse, you are repeating the same ideas. Note this word of caution. Concise and crisp writing isn’t easier or “dumbing down.”  In fact, it can be harder to write in a style of plain language that makes it easier for others to read. Editing is an art in itself. Tips for Plain Language ...

Here we are nearing the middle of another magnificent summer in Georgia. Bright sunny days and beautiful scenery are great reasons to take a road trip and see the state’s stunning colleges and universities. Following are a few events hosted by Georgia’s universities over the coming weeks.   Friday, June 21 Archery Date Night. Located in the heart of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is the host of Archery Date Night . Designed for those who “want to learn a new life skill while having fun with your special someone,” this is certainly not your typical date night. Things that will be covered: Safe handling of a bow and arrow Proper grip How to successfully release an arrow How to aim Basics of the National Training System All equipment will be included. Saturday, June 29 Cody Johnson Performance.  The ACM entertainer of the year nominee will perform at Fifth Third Stadium at Kennesaw State University on June 29th. The stadium is home to the Kennesaw State Owls footbal...

Nursing is a high-demand field that often provides flexibility, competitive pay, and personal satisfaction. But people are sometimes confused about the difference between a registered nurse (RN) license and a BSN degree. An RN is a license that is required for any nurse in Georgia to practice. Students can take the exam for an RN license after completing an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Only those RNs who completed the four-year degree are considered BSNs. Many registered nurses who initially completed two-year degrees or diploma programs, decide to return to college to pursue their BSN degrees. Through USG eCampus, several institutions offer online RN-to-BSN programs. These can typically be completed while RNs continue to work. Why Many RNs Pursue the BSN Program Salary is one motivation for completing a four-year nursing degree. According to ZipRecruiter (2024), registered nurses in Georgia with associate degrees earn an average of $81,268, while those with bach...

As we acknowledge mental health awareness month, sometimes it’s important to go beyond the usual (but important) antidotes promoting well-being.  Clearly, better eating, more exercise, meditation, and seeking professional help as needed are on the menu for the perpetually stressed college student. But more and more studies are linking a lack of sleep to feelings of anxiety and depression. In a 2020 article published in the Australian Journal of Psychology, researchers reported that poor sleep quality was significantly linked to anxiety and depression in college students. For male students, the problems were often worse because men were less likely to seek help for insomnia. Even more interesting is the belief that sleeplessness is not necessarily a symptom of poor mental health, but the other way around ( Suni and Dimitiu, 2024 ). In other words, the anxiety you are feeling may be caused or triggered by an ongoing pattern of not getting enough sleep. How to Get More Sleep A para...

For many students, just the thought of final exams and projects brings anxiety and distress. This stress can be self-defeating, as studies show that over-worry related to exams can make it more difficult to retain information (Young, 2022).  But with proper preparation and a positive mindset, students can set themselves up for a grade-boosting finale. Obviously, re-reading the material (or practicing problems) is a necessary ingredient for high achievement on exams. Assuming that just about everyone reviews the materials to some extent, let’s consider what practices can set you apart. Get calm. First and foremost, your best bet is to worry a lot less. For most USG eCore and eMajor courses, the final exam or project only represents a relatively-small portion of the grade. It helps to calculate the exam score you will need to achieve the grade that you are seeking.  For example, if the final exam is worth 15 percent and you have an 87 in the course, you would need a 107 on the...