Every student can relate to the struggles of needing to balance school and a personal life. Unfortunately, the triangle above is far too real for most students. My personal life interfered with my education and I was unable to attend college right after high school. Due to extenuating circumstances that combined money, family, and class issues, I was forced to wait. After two disheartening semesters, online classes finally allowed me to be able to succeed.

A year later when all these issues were solved I finally started school. In my first semester I decided to do 17 credits worth of online classes. When I made that decision I received a call discouraging me to do so, practically promising me failure due to the large workload. However, I finished and passed all of my classes with a B grade or better and made the Deans List.

The standard has become that people can only fully comprehend class material when it’s learned from within the classroom. However, online classes were the best option for me because some individuals such as myself are able to better comprehend the material within a solitary environment. I encourage others to venture into online learning too because it really encourages the student to take initiative, and can enhance study skills. It allows you to create schedules for yourself so you can prevent yourself from burning out.

I have always wondered why only humanities classes like culture studies and social justice were offered online in SFSU instead of other core classes, such as English and Mathematics. It seems there is some sort of stigma attached to online learning, even though inside the classroom, professors encourage us to think for ourselves. People are convinced that you need someone to tell you what to do in order to succeed, but I would like to argue that if you give someone the tools to do a job, and they really do want to succeed, they are going to use those tools to do something extraordinary. I understand how some students really do need the in class experience, and everyone learns differently but it really comes down to the personal drive and dedication of the student that determines their success.

I definitely took advantage of the opportunity of being able to study when I wanted and really have a clear schedule. I was used to working all the time, and I was able to enjoy a more flexible schedule. The rigidity of having to go to campus at the same time every day really challenged me to reschedule my time and priorities. Online classes were so convenient and it gave me the opportunity to not only do all of my schoolwork, but work within a flexible, professional environment as well. I was able to make a perfect schedule for myself and I loved and succeeded at doing so.

Part of the college experience is to go out for fun and study and learn how to work effectively in groups. College is an adventure, and I am glad I am on campus, sometimes it’s even stress relieving to get out and interact with other people at school. However managing time between work, school, and friends can be very difficult, but when you know what is important to you, naturally you spend your time doing what is best. But, I would just like to challenge the education system to help all types of students with different needs to succeed in their goals by giving students the tools that tailors specifically to them inside and out of the classroom.