Learners Like No Other is a new series where real students and alumni share how online learning at AU is like no other university experience. Submit your story.
Why was online learning at Athabasca University the right fit for you?
I never really fit well with traditional in-class learning. I loved learning—and still do—but I often needed to work to pay for that learning and wasn’t great with attendance. With Athabasca University's online learning model, I can merge my love of learning with a flexible schedule, allowing me to thrive in my academic journey in new ways. As soon as I started, I knew I had made the right choice by coming to AU!
How has studying at AU helped you achieve your goals—personal, professional, academic?
Through AU’s online format, I’ve been able to keep pursuing my career goals by continuing to work full time and creating content on the side. I don’t have to choose between my professional and academic careers—both are thriving! Plus, having a more flexible education schedule allows me to keep my goal of trying new skills. Lately, this means spending my extra free time on cosplaying!
What obstacles have you had to overcome to pursue your education? How did you overcome them?
Finances are a big one. I haven’t completely overcome them yet, but doing school online is a huge advantage. I can both study and work full time, which means less stress about affording school and loans.
Motivation is, at times, another obstacle, but I've developed many strategies, such as detailed daily/weekly/monthly lists, to help minimize that hurdle.
How do you balance your studies with other responsibilities like work or family?
I keep a strict schedule and do my best to stick to it. Lately, I’ve been trying to maximize my time at work so I can have more family time at home.
For example, my commute to work takes 1.5 hours on transit; I like to spend this time doing readings or finding papers for research. Sometimes I will also combine my lunch and coffee breaks to work on assignments during that 1.5-hour period.
At home, I make sure to keep a good chunk of my evenings free for time with my family and dog, while still keeping one to two hours per day allotted for coursework.
Who is your biggest cheerleader that helps you stay focused on your goals?
My mom. She's always supported me throughout my many career and faculty changes, and my AU journey is no different. I know I can count on her help when times are tough, and she keeps me grounded. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t even have had the courage to go for a master’s degree!
What's your favourite course?
So far, it's been MAIS 606: Academic Writing for Graduate Students. I'm a writer by profession, but writing for academia always seemed so daunting and impossible. MAIS 606 helped me break down those barriers and overcome that initial imposter syndrome. And Emily Cargan is one of the most encouraging and helpful profs I've had the pleasure of learning with!
What are you plans for the future, after completing your AU program?
I really hope to teach someday, along with using my focus areas of Cultural Studies and Writing and New Media to develop new programs and guidelines for inclusive on-screen representations!
How is your AU education different than what you've experienced previously? (a.k.a. How is AU like no other?)
It’s flexible, fun, and inspiring! Learning online means I'm choosing to be here, and choosing to stay on track with my courses. It’s a different kind of experience that relies mostly on me wanting to be here and to succeed. That rewarding cycle of motivation and success has been a game changer for how I view myself as an academic.
Share your story to win!
Click on our entry form to answer questions about your education journey and to share photos to accompany your submission. Writers of published submissions win an AU swag pack!