A Day in the Life of an Online College Student

Posted: September 07, 2020 | Author: Grace Thorkelson and Fidele Koffi | Read Time: 3 minutes

A day in the life of an online college studentWhile the lives, careers, and schedules of online students vary greatly-- the underlying commonality between each of them is the flexibility and convenience that comes with taking courses online. Whether you are a parent of young children, a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree working full-time, or simply live a significant distance from a university--earning your degree online can help you reach your academic and professional goals, without the burden of quitting your job, changing your schedule, finding a nanny, and so much more.

For many, starting or finishing college the traditional way is simply not possible. While some courses do require attendance in online lectures, many online courses at Southern Utah University can be completed asynchronously, meaning that you can complete the work at your own pace while following the due dates and learning the material at the speed best for you. In this type of course, students don’t fret about having to be online at a specific time everyday for lectures or presentations. All the course materials are accessible via canvas 24/7. Many students prefer to complete the course load within the first few weeks, while others tend to study in their spare time and complete it as the semester progresses.

Day in the Life of An Online Student

As previously mentioned, no two online students’ schedules will look exactly the same. But, a typical schedule may look something like this.

8:00 a.m. -- Wake up and prepare for the day. Exercise, eat breakfast, and plan your goals and schedule for the day.
 
9:00 a.m. -- Begin watching online lectures, completing assignments, and working on projects for various courses.
 
11:00 a.m. -- Take a Break. Run errands, visit with family or friends, organize your house, water your garden, get a breath of fresh air, eat lunch.
 
12:00 p.m. -- Return to studying. Catch up on readings, reach out to classmates to plan a time for a study session, and finalize assignments before submitting them via Canvas.
 
2:00 p.m. -- Work. Many online students work part or full-time, and the asynchronous schedule permits it.
 
9:00 p.m. -- On the evening before tests, you may find it beneficial to take a few minutes to review the materials prior to opening the exam.
 
10:00 p.m. -- Take personal time for yourself, whether that be reading or watching your favorite TV show, spending time with your loved ones, or going to bed early.
 

While online classes do indeed bring an added freedom of time and schedule to students, online courses are not a ‘break’, and still require commitment and engagement, similar to a traditional on-campus class. Similar learning outcomes and results are required, meaning that the same amount of time needs to be spent in order to learn and eventually master the content.


Produced by SUU Online

Wherever you are in your educational journey SUU can help you reach your goals. Our 100 percent online programs are designed to provide the flexibility you need and the affordability you want. Accelerate your path to professional achievement by choosing the online degree that's right for you.

If the flexibility of online school may fit your needs, reach out to one of SUU Online’s exceptional admissions officers at (435) 865-8665 or at online@suu.edu to get started.

This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Tags: SUU Online

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