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.
Nikki Nandlal
Master of Nursing – Generalist ’25
📍Markham, Ont.
Why was online learning at Athabasca University the right fit for you?
Online learning with Athabasca University was the right fit for me because it offered the flexibility and convenience I needed to manage my work obligations and my education. Online learning was the ideal choice while I was employed full time. I could study in the evenings, on the weekends, or whenever I had free time thanks to online learning, which differed from traditional in-person classes in that I could access course materials and finish assignments whenever I wanted.
Online education also saved me time and energy by removing the need for commuting, which allowed me to focus on my work and schoolwork. I was able to effectively manage deadlines without feeling overburdened by my ability to self-pace my studies.
In addition, a lot of online courses are made with working professionals in mind. They provide interactive materials, discussion boards, and online support, which helped me stay involved and stay in touch with peers and professors even though I wasn't in a traditional classroom.
All things considered, online learning was the best option for me because it allowed me to pursue my academic objectives without compromising my career.
How has studying at AU helped you achieve your goals (personal, professional, academic)?
My goal of becoming a nurse educator has been greatly aided by my online education in several ways, including academically, professionally, and personally.
Athabasca University has helped with my personal development as I learned time management and discipline. Balancing online coursework with full-time employment has improved my time-management skills, which are essential for both teaching and nursing. I learned to be adaptable and become self-motivated. A nurse educator must possess these qualities, and online learning forced me to exercise initiative, maintain organization, and maintain self-motivation.
Professional development consists of me bridging clinical experience with education. My coursework has permitted me to combine evidence-based teaching strategies with real-world nursing experience, preparing me to effectively educate future nurses.
Online learning has improved my proficiency with virtual teaching tools, learning management systems, and digital resources, which are skills that are becoming more vital in contemporary nursing education. Also, online learning has pushed me to conduct research and critical analysis, which are crucial components of academic excellence and effective teaching.
Completing my studies has placed me for opportunities in nursing education, whether as a faculty member, a mentor in my field, or a member of administration. Overall, online education at AU has given me the resources, flexibility, and knowledge required to move into a nurse educator role.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to pursue your education? How did you overcome them?
It was difficult to balance my studies and work a full-time job, but I was able to overcome these challenges through discipline, time management, and a solid support network.
I had to prioritize my tasks in order to balance working a full-time job and being in school. I made a planned timetable and allocated specific evening and weekend study periods.
Managing several obligations frequently left me exhausted, including getting engaged and having to start planning my own wedding. Setting boundaries, taking breaks when necessary, and engaging in self-care helped me overcome this. I stayed energized with simple routines like working out, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep.
There were times when I felt fatigued and demotivated, but I kept in mind why I had started—my love for nursing school and my parents' support. From a young age, my parents strongly supported me to further my education, pointing out that opportunities and stability are brought about by a quality education. They taught me that education is something that cannot be taken away from me and that putting money into my education would lead to a stable and rewarding career.
Their constant encouragement and direction inspired me to strive hard for my objectives and molded my commitment to lifelong learning. Their influence helped me stay focused on my studies because I knew that going to college would give me the knowledge, self-assurance, and stability I needed to create a successful future, particularly in my pursuit of becoming a nurse educator.
With tenacity, preparation, and the support of my loved ones, I successfully balanced work and school, proving that with determination, anything is possible!
Who is your biggest cheerleader that helps you stay focused on your goals?
My parents are my biggest supporters. They taught me early on that education opens doors and that knowledge is something that no one can ever take away from you, unlike material possessions. My motivation has come from their constant encouragement, support, and faith in the transformative power of education, particularly during trying times.
I kept in mind their words and sacrifices whenever I felt overburdened juggling work and school, which inspired me to keep going. Their principles of diligence, tenacity, and lifelong learning have influenced my commitment to becoming a nurse educator, and I aim to honour them with each accomplishment.
My siblings have always been there for me, encouraging me to overcome obstacles and acknowledging my accomplishments as I go. Their support serves as a reminder that I am never travelling this path alone.
My fiancé has been a big cheerleader of mine as it has been difficult to juggle work, school, and wedding preparations, but my fiancé has been my pillar of support, providing emotional support, keeping me organized, and reminding me to take breaks when necessary.
How is your AU education different than what you've experienced previously? (a.k.a. How is AU like no other?)
Compared to my prior in-person education, my education at AU has been entirely different and, in many respects, very advantageous. AU gives me the freedom to learn at my own pace, which has been crucial for juggling full-time employment and personal obligations like wedding preparation, in contrast to traditional in-person classes with set schedules.
By enhancing my digital literacy, AU has equipped me for the contemporary nursing education landscape, which increasingly relies on online resources and virtual learning. Additionally, I've improved my discipline, organization, and initiative because AU's online learning environment demands self-motivation—skills that will be essential to my success as a nurse educator in the future.
AU is unique as it provides a distinctive, adaptable, and empowering educational experience. I have been able to advance academically, professionally, and personally as a result, demonstrating that high-quality education need not be limited to a traditional classroom setting. I have molded into a strong-minded independent learner.
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