Online Student Experience

A recent college graduate, James really values time with his college friends, whether they’re playing football in the park, teaming up to play Call of Duty online, or enjoying beers at a brewery. Because he’s a full-time IT specialist in addition to his monthly weekends on guard duty, that time is harder and harder to find. James also restores old furniture in his garage, a hobby that helps him relax.

James has received his boss’s permission to study during downtime, as his master’s in cybersecurity is building his skill set in IT. He also spends most nights staying up reading, studying, writing, and knocking out coursework. He enjoys these quiet moments at the end of his day. During his daily travel time, he listens to his textbooks as audiobooks.

James grinds seven days a week, so he can’t handle additional commuting time and demands. The flexibility and convenience of online learning are key. He also relies on Utica’s military benefits and looks forward to networking with fellow students and professors to find a new job in cybersecurity.

Misty values time exercising since parenting has made her more sedentary. She especially loves riding her exercise bike and walking down Utica’s scenic Gorge Trail with her husband and baby, and she relishes nights out with her girlfriends. Quality time with her family and community are crucial.

She finds spare moments during the day when Abby is sleeping. She takes advantage of her study time at night and on the weekends when her husband is home from work and she can really focus.

Life as a new mom is exhausting—random hours, constant tiredness, the demands of infant care. As an online student, Misty can fit in her schoolwork where she pleases and doesn’t have to travel farther than her front door to go to class, a huge benefit as she cares for Abby and leaps into the business side of publishing.

Quality time with her daughters, including school drop-offs and dinners together every night; community clinicals and coursework for her education; occasional volunteerism at a local homeless shelter; and of course, her full-time nursing job.

Along with her daughters as they do their own homework every night, after their bedtime, and on the weekends. She works four 10-hour shifts each week, Monday–Thursday, and devotes Fridays to clinicals and study. She also studies during her lunch breaks at work.

Jai works really hard as a full-time RN and parent. By allowing her to study wherever she is, this online degree gives her the flexibility to fit coursework into her busy schedule. It’s a haul, but it will be worth it when Jai gets her BSN and, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earns up to $30,000 more annually!