Online colleges are great for military spouses who have a busy schedule. I think they are the best and most flexible way to get your degree.
I attended an online college while I was in the Navy. My spouse is also in the Navy and between the two of us we had a very busy work schedule. I was also pregnant with our second child.
However, I was ready to go back to school. I talked to the Navy college counselor on base and he recommended a variety of colleges and universities that were military friendly and online. I enrolled in the school that best fit my needs and away I went.
It was great. At work, when I had a spare moment, I was able to log in and talk to my professor or check my next assignment and grades. At home I was able to do the same while changing diapers and doing my daily routine around the house.
In the middle of my semester, we had to PCS. I didn’t want anything to stop my studies. Attending an online school kept my semester rolling, despite the move.
I notified my instructor of my pending relocation and I asked about any upcoming key assignments such as midterms, tests and papers. With this advanced notice I was able to have my assignment due dates adjusted to accommodate my move.
Also, I aimed to complete all my assignments at least one week before I arrived at our next duty station. This was extra work for me but I was thankful in the end. By completing the majority of my assignments before the move, I had time to recover from the cross-country driving and adjust to my new surroundings.
After a day of relaxation, I set up my internet connection and could immediately access my course assignments. That’s one of the best parts of online education, as long as you have a laptop and internet connection, you are all set to go.
Within days of arriving in our new home, I was back to working on my assignments and daily studying. I also reminded my spouse that each day I would be dedicating time to schoolwork.
Online classes are accessible and flexible. For service members and military spouses, I think an online college means the least amount of hassle in our very hectic lives. Don’t let a PCS or work get in the way of achieving your education goals. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
