Posts Tagged ‘Florida State Online’
Posted by Sharon Cece on May 8th, 2009
There are many things you can lose. You can lose your keys, you can lose an argument, you can lose weight and at times you can lose your way. One thing you can never lose is your education. From the moment you flip that little tassel to the other side, you own it forever. It’s called a lifetime achievement.
There are few things in my life that I aspired to that were and are truly important to me, few things that I sought after with clear conviction. Finding a lifetime marriage partner was one of those few–having children was also (even though I didn’t realize how much until it actually happened). My faith is something I‘m continually and deeply seeking, time spent with family and friends are constant, essential goals; simple things I crave, such as one perfectly decorated truffle in a candy store window. Never material goods, not even a career necessarily.
But my degree–now, getting my degree was exceptionally important to me, one of those very few things I sought after for so many years, even after I thought I had given up. Maybe because I realized it was one of the few things that couldn’t be taken away; it presented itself as a solid testimony to my unusually steadfast commitment to a singular goal.
I honestly thought that once I was finally finished–when that very last course was at long last complete and that last click was clicked, when I could jump up and yell my FSU Seminole yell “YAYYYYYYYY I’m DONE FINISHED YAYAYAYAYA!”, that yell would be the big moment and, other than the pomp of commencement, it all would nicely fade away into a soft, happy memory. But the glow of achievement has not diminished after three years and I wonder if it will ever. It may be that because my journey to college graduation was so long (21 years) and so impatiently awaited that it may take longer to shelve it under “just another goal met“. But I don’t think so. When I think about, wow, the menagerie of courses (four different universities contributed), how grueling it was working two, sometimes three jobs; how I attended first as a young student, and then as a young married student, then an older student with children, about all the transitions I endured and how I brought those transitions into my essays and my exchanges, and how I evolved on so many levels, I honestly don’t believe the joy, the sweet sensation of reaching the mountain’s steep and lofty pinnacle, will ever recede.
The fact that I finished my degree online only added to it’s allure, gave my degree more color and depth. My degree, or rather my journey to my degree, metamorphosed so many times throughout the years that the journey took on a life of it’s own, to finish in a way completely different from how I started but no less satisfying. In fact, the online aspect was the final piece in my multifaceted academic puzzle. The online ingredient expanded my university well-roundedness; I can relate, now, both to students on campus and students online. That’s pretty cool.
As anyone who’s read even one of my posts knows, my online degree has given me so much more than an education, it‘s given me a perpetual feeling. How to describe that feeling… do you know that sweet sensation when you’ve just finished cleaning your house, the whole entire house, and you finally sink into your couch “Ahhhh” and look around at your beautiful sparkling home and simply relish in all the hard work you did? Or, when you’ve just finished a huge project–one that has been challenging and overwhelming, the one you thought you’d never get done–when you put the finishing touches on it and step back to look at it, that feeling? Or when you’ve finished baking a huge, I do mean humongous, Thanksgiving dinner for 25 people and you’ve slaved and worked and sweated (and worried quite a bit), dealt with the many snags and snafus, but when everything’s finally done and on the table you look at this glorious feast and think, wow it’s amazing. I really did it.
Magnify that a hundred-fold, and that’s the feeling you’ll have from getting your degree. Except it doesn’t need to be cleaned over and over, or redone and revised, or reduced from a feast to crumbs you scrape off a dinner plate. That feeling, that achievement, is here to stay. And no matter what you do with your degree, whether you get a more qualified job or higher pay, go on to get another degree, or simply enjoy the sense of accomplishment it brings, you will have added a grand chapter to your life book, the chapter entitled, “Amazing, I Really Did It”.
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 14th, 2009
Tofu is not for everyone.
Now that I have your attention, I’ll add this: sushi is not for everyone either, but some people do love sushi. Others, on the other hand, would very well live well without sushi and instead prefer a hot, juicy steak with potatoes. Still others (like myself) love tofu, sushi, steak and potatoes. Now, who’s ready for dessert?
Along with celebrating my healthy appetite, I’m using food metaphorically to illustrate that some students enjoy attending school online, yet it may not be the right fit for everyone. Similarly, attending college in the traditional sense–on campus–might be a great choice or it might be a hardship for those looking to pursue a degree.
It would be helpful if we had a template for determining online and traditional campus populations, but in the absence of such templates there are guidelines that can help students gauge which degree-seeking method would be an ideal choice:
- Lifestyle Your daily life routine is a good starting point to determining whether online college is a better alternative to attending college on campus. For example, if you’re single and attending school full-time and want to be in the thick of college life, attending college on campus would be a great choice. However, if you are married, working full-time and caring for children or older family members, you will undoubtedly benefit from the time-saving flexibility of online classes.
- Social Disposition Those who are shy, socially-reserved, or who prefer working from home on the computer might benefit from the liberated platform of online learning. Keep in mind, some socially reserved students would benefit from the social atmosphere of campus life, for it would challenge one‘s comfort zone and widen their experiences–all good. However, a student with a healthy social life who performs better academically without social distractions might find online options to be an excellent choice. Gregarious and socially active individuals who love being out in public and interacting with other classmates and friends may naturally want to consider courses on campus.
- Level of Autonomy If you’re the type of student who needs strict order and scheduling, set class times and guided formats, then traditional college venues would be recommended. Students who are adept at making and adhering to their own schedules, who prefer being independent in course work and course submission, will do very well online.
- Computer Skills Both online and traditional courses utilize the computer; however, online courses operate exclusively from the computer.
- Organizational Skills Organization is fundamental when taking classes online. Since the student is, for the most part, scheduling their own coursework regulation, class and testing times, and content review, a self-structured and self-imposed schedule is necessary for online success.
There is a third option; that is, to do both–attend school on campus and take a few courses online. This way, you get the best of both worlds and, like me, you can enjoy sushi and steak. Just don’t forget the dessert.
Posted by Sharon Cece on April 8th, 2009
I believe that the by-product of every experience has value. This is especially true in regard to academics–an education is an experience of increasing knowledge that often leads to a degree. Naturally, my degree has instrumental value from an economic standpoint, since I can earn more money and further my career, but also has intrinsic value from a personal sense of pride and accomplishment.
There are aspects of a traditional college education that are equally, if not as recognizably, valuable–such as living on your own as a student for the first time and the glorious feeling of total independence, participating and creating impact as a member of the college milieu, and interacting with others who have a wide spectrum of opinions and ideas to share. Even mundane endeavors add to a student’s experiential resume: standing in line at the registrar’s office, attending meetings with advisors, or handing out pamphlets at a student union booth; these all add up to equal the total university “experience”.
The internet has added a innovative dimension to almost every aspect of living and in particular, to education. Like traditional students, most students matriculating online do so to garner enough credits to obtain a degree and also to increase the mind’s intellectual capability in order to add impressively to one’s repertoire of knowledge. Next to education and intellect, then, a student might simply value the online learning “experience”; that is, learning how to navigate through electronic hallways, studying with and writing to other students from all over the world, even participating in the unique configuration of something brand new from a familiar environment such as your home or office. If you read the posts in this Student Voices feature, you will get some idea of what they have gleaned from their individual online experiences, both from an educational and a personal viewpoint. It’s this sum of the experience they value, and what they in turn offer back to the online world through their words. You can appreciate their enthusiasm as they engage in a facet of education that is distinct and atypical from traditional academics. It’s different, it’s fun, it’s technical, it’s flexible–it’s what life today is all about.
There is one aspect of online learning I consider to be an unexpected, yet no less significant, benefit. While studying and taking courses online I often engaged my children in my studies and links and felt they became part of the learning “experience“. Had I attended a traditional university as a parent I likely would not have involved them as much as while learning and studying from home. My children watched me pour over lessons directly from my e-classes, watched me participating and communicating, watched me getting frustrated and overwhelmed (but that’s all part of the experience and hence, has value). Most importantly, they watched me graduate; somehow I believe they understood a bit better, through all their watching, how much work and sacrifice–and gratification–went into that moment. For weeks afterward, my youngest son said excitedly, “Mom, I took pictures of you graduating!”, as though recording my moment, and walking that educational road with me, had intrinsic value to him as well.
Posted by Sharon Cece on March 24th, 2009
Sentiment is a strong motivator. Sentiment drives you to do what you wouldn’t otherwise take the time, energy or money to do, since what drives you is emotional rather than practical.
It would have made more sense to finish my degree through a local online program. For one, the cost is much more attractive. For another, the cost is much more attractive. Finally, the cost is…okay, you get the point. Instead, I registered with Florida State University’s online program, which was based six hundred miles away and cost twice as much as a local program. Now, why would a relatively sane, budget-conscious gal like myself choose to do such a thing?
Sentiment, you say. And I say, Right on. I could have registered with North Carolina State, saved money, time, all the rest. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. When I left FSU in 1989 after two years of attendance, for years afterward I dreamed of going back there to get my degree. I dreamed of going back there. You could say that I dreamed in Garnet and Gold.
I left my childhood home at 20, traveling 1200 miles alone for the first time to Tallahassee, Florida; an independent rite of passage. I worked so hard those two years, defining myself, drawing those early experiences into my life, not just remembering but fusing them into who I was. In my heart I was a Seminole. Fourteen years later when I decided to finish what I started, that quixotic spirit, that pride, never left me. In a way–and this may make no sense at all–if I had gone the pragmatic route and chosen a local program, it would have erased all I originally set out to do. Yes, I would have graduated; of course, I would have my degree. But it wouldn’t have been the same. It wouldn’t have been Garnet and Gold.
I look up now at my FSU Diploma, hanging in my custom matted FSU frame, a splurge. It almost brings tears to my eyes. It is so much more than just a piece of paper to me, so much more than academics. The paper in that frame symbolizes idealistic enterprise, hardship and sacrifice, adventure, endurance, perseverance, success. Completing what I originally set out to do. Fulfilling a long-held dream.
I was in spirit, but now officially am on paper, a Seminole.
It cost twice as much to enroll in Florida State’s online program and took more effort compared to local programs. I had to drive 600 miles just to reach out my hand and grab hold of that paper.
Was it worth it?
Oh, you bet it was.
Posted by Sharon Cece on February 26th, 2009
When you consider the itemized supply list required of erstwhile brick-and-mortar college students, it’s mind-boggling. Visualize the multi-text’d/ pen, pencil, marker, highlighter’d/ calculator/ notebook/ ruler/ lined and graph paper’d/ protractor’d/ 3-ringed binder’d backpack-toting college attendee who’s overstuffed countenance resembled an infantryman going to battle (actually, I think I just described my middle-schooler).
Moving ever onward, we span the educative evolution to the present-day online student (cue music from “2001: A Space Odyssey”):
We have entered a new dimension of scholastic matter, that of “non-matter“… digitized academics…pens and paper artifacts of the past…
Well, nix the music for a minute because we still (gasp) use hard-cover textbooks.
Yes, it’s true; textbooks are still the tangible matter of choice for many courses, even those presented online. Yet, the scope of academic material for the Online College Student, New Millennium consists of said textbook and a computer and, in most cases, that’s all she wrote. Or didn’t write, since online course materials are now accessed from your computer and more often than not made of bits and bytes instead of pencil and paper. This includes the syllabus, the course lessons, supplemental links provided by your professor, university library links, and so on. Course work is submitted electronically via Word/Works, and students can also download hyperlinked files from the instructor to enable the student to upload and submit their assignments through other venues.
When I first started my courses online I, being old-school, had my handy spiral notebooks, pens and highlighters close by to facilitate learning. But as my courses progressed I found out very quickly that everything I needed was accessible from my computer; this I consider to be exceptional progress from the infantry-packed college student of yestermillenium. Consider also, while attending FSU online just a few years ago I had an antiquated eMachine rather than the slim and portable Dell notebook I own today, which would have allowed me to work on and submit my homework from anywhere at anytime. All of my research was completed digitally, and the Florida State University Libraries website made it possible to access compulsory adjunct publications from a remote location. Thus, other than the textbook mentioned above and perhaps an accompanying CD (which admittedly more often than not sat collecting dust or coaster-ing my coffee) as far as academic matter goes, that’s all she…text-typed.
Posted by Sharon Cece on February 18th, 2009
Think of a professor as a symphony conductor or an army general, or even–for zen‘s sake–gatekeepers to the portal of educational enlightenment. Any way you view them, professors and their methods hold the key to understanding your courses and, more importantly, succeeding in them.
At FSU, I was surprised how my online professors (likely with the aid of web designers and tech support) created a traditional college structure from within a computerized venue. Though every instructor had a different modus operandi when it came to e-course layout, all maintained the mandatory first day attendance policy and for good reason: in addition to course introduction and familiarization, everything you need to know is presented online that first day via the syllabus.
In regard to the syllabus, this document is essential to the success of the online student. Therefore, print it, copy it, save it, decorate your bathroom walls with it, hang it from your rearview mirror…I’m being facetious but the point is clear: the syllabus is the most effective piece of material the professor will provide in meeting your course requirements. One or two professors offered it as the only material needed for the entire course; more often, textbooks–sometimes with or without study guides and accompanying CD’s–are required. A few professors augmented all of the above with additional websites, links and yet more materials such as supplemental books of reference. These materials, with very few exceptions, were always sufficient in meeting course goals.
Online instructors usually post their content on the course discussion site and the students respond with questions and comments which are answered in a threaded format. Professors almost always hold e-office hours in the event you need to meet with them individually, or arrange virtual classrooms whereby the entire class could get information in real time. Questions are also fielded by TA’s, who are available a bit more than the busy professor. Email responses are arbitrary depending on the professor; if you’re fortunate you get an immediate answer but ususually it’s a day or more later. Information you require that is course-specific is best posted online publicly so that other students can add to the discussion; personal information (i.e.– you need to re-take a test or make up course work) should be emailed privately to the professor.
If you can bear one more metaphor, think of professors as snowflakes–no two are alike. Get to know each instructor, what materials they require and specifically what he or she expects from you as a student. You will be amazed at how much time and energy this will save you.
A small but essential piece of information to advance you to the portal of educational enlightenment.
Posted by Sharon Cece on February 2nd, 2009
I was a typical college student from 18 to 20. I lived at home with Mom and worked at a department store while I attended a community college. At that time I majored in Business Management. A year later I hopped in my rusty little Datsun with one box of clothes and a typewriter (really) and headed to FSU, where I segued to the more general Business Program.
Then, I became somewhat non-typical and left FSU without a degree and a bunch of credits flying about looking for a home. Years passed; I traveled around the country a bit, got married and had kids. When I returned to finish my degree I was dismayed to discover that the online program I was interested in didn’t have a Business Degree Program! What to do.
Enter the wonderful, flexible Interdisciplinary Degree. Here’s what happened: I still had all these credits still flying around and now they’re getting tired. I knew that after 14 years I’d be hard-pressed to find a program that would accept all these aging credits. The Florida State Undergraduate Program Online had four options:
- Computer Science (Um, no–The last computer course I studied was Fortran, which can be found under history close to “Mayan Civilization” and “Jurassic Life“)
- Nursing (Definitely not, don’t like sticking needles in people)
- Family Development and Family Resource Management (Interesting, but would have to start over)
- ISS, or Interdisciplinary Social Science (ISS, is that a degree for snakes?)
None of those seemed applicable to Business, so I figured I struck out.
Not so. Interdisciplinary Degrees are just that–composed of two or more disciplines. Upon further inquiry, it turned out that many of my business courses, as well as the many prerequisite and general elective courses required for a business degree, were applicable toward a Florida State ISS Social Science online degree. Jackpot! Of course it helped that some of these business courses were from FSU prior; even so, it worked out much better than I had hoped.
The great part of my online experience at Florida State is that the advisors are very dedicated to helping you to graduate. My advisor spent a lot of her time reviewing my former transcripts, fitting in what could into my ISS program and helping me organize what courses I still needed. My Interdisciplinary Social Science program was flexible when it came to qualifying courses for my grad check; for example, general Economics courses that I took at my community college in NJ were applicable to secondary concentration Economics courses that I needed in order to graduate at FSU. In this way, I was well on my way to finishing an online degree in Social Science by utilizing courses I obtained originally pursuing a completely different degree.
