In the fall of 2003 I decided to pursue an MA program in Distance Education through the University of Phoenix. I chose that program because I knew UOP did online education very well, because I had been involved in DE for quite a few years, and because I thought I could finally accomplish the MA while still living in the middle of Nebraska – on my own time and in my own way.
Students at CCC who seek to do ‘individualized’ courses at a distance have a lot of flexibility regarding due dates, how they turn in their work, and when and where they complete that work – perhaps way too much flexibility. The UOP program that I completed had some flexibility, but not too much. I chose to take the degree as recommended – six weeks of class, one week off, six more weeks of class, until all 33 hours (12 courses) were completed in about 19 months. Each class had a syllabus, a list of assignments and deliverables, and due dates for each of the deliverables. In the 19 months I only missed one deadline (by about 13 hours) because of an eye injury. And I completed the work with a 4.0 GPA.
Now…what was going on in my life while I took that program. I was home by myself during the week (Vern was working in Omaha), working two jobs, traveling on occasion to see the kids (new grandbaby), doing my usual swim meets both locally and in Lincoln and Omaha, and dealing with Vern’s illness, surgeries, and his cancer diagnosis. There were many times when I could have said, “I just can’t do this!” There were many times when it was not convenient to get my assignment done on time. There were many times that I had to go through extreme measures to find connectivity to be able to either enter the required discussions, upload my work, or collaborate with my assigned team on a particular project. I tried the local library (to make sure I had that option if my connection broke down); I made sure Vern’s laptop was ready to interface with the classroom; I had my PC set up at work to interface with the class; and of course my PC at home was set up as my main classroom access. Vern’s laptop went to California, Chicago, Atlanta, swimming conventions, etc with me (although he was not terribly happy about losing his window to the world). But I did it.
When Vern got sick in the fall of 2003 we knew things weren’t right, but little did we know how very wrong they were. We went to San Francisco to meet Ute and there I used the Macs of the kids for my classroom connection. Vern was very sick – very tired and very lethargic, and slept a lot. I still got my work done. He continued to go to work that fall and early winter, but not without a lot of effort. I continued my classes and signed up for the 2nd and 3rd course in the program. After Christmas local doctors decided it was time to do some serious checking. CT scans showed a large mass in the abdomen. Exploratory surgery done locally revealed a tumor too large and involved for the local surgeons to deal with. I continued with my work, my swimming job, and my class work. It was decided that UNMC was the best place with the best doctors to try to deal with the issue. I continued with my course work, ran my swim meets (including one in Omaha staying at Vern’s apartment), and got ready to stay in Omaha and camp at UNMC hospital for a week or so, continuing my studies. While Vern was in surgery I read. While he was hospitalized I sat in his room, curled up in a recliner, and read. I used his laptop at his apartment to upload my work. I never missed an assignment or a due date.
When Vern had healed somewhat, we traveled to Atlanta for a family wedding. I had hotel connectivity, but not much time. I didn’t miss any assignments, but I didn’t respond to the discussions like I usually did. I did get docked at bit in that class for that. But we also had a ‘green’ instructor and he really didn’t know what he was doing, so I didn’t get too concerned.
By the fall of 2004 work, swimming, online classes, and normal every-day stuff all were just a part of my life. I was able to download the textbooks at least three weeks prior to the start of each class. By the time the last class rolled around I was an old pro. In the spring of 2005 I scratched my eye. I couldn’t function. One assignment just had to be late…using an excuse the instructor understood as she had recently had eye surgery. When I finished the program I was ready to be finished, but I also knew I would miss the intellectual interaction with my fellow students.
My degree was granted 40 years to the day after my BA had been granted. I felt I had accomplished a worthy goal. I had completed an advanced degree. I had completed it in the prescribed time. I had never been late or missed an assignment (with one exception). I had a 4.0 GPA. As an Adult Education professional I knew that this was quite an accomplishment. None of the roadblocks thrown in my path had caused me to stumble or change direction. I have tried to process reasons for my success. I don’t quit when I start something. I am a true adult learner. I need to succeed for my own internal reasons. I had a point to prove – that despite the obstacles we as adult learners encounter, we can succeed and achieve IF we put our minds to it and IF we persevere. We chose our successes or our failures. If we chose to find excuses, we can find those excuses. If we chose to get the job done, we can get it done despite normal inconveniences or not-so-normal life-altering events. It is a choice. And my choice was to succeed!
