Ever curious about how to make learning at CW the best possible experience for our students, Janna Gullery, Dean of Student Life and Success set out to hear from our online students during National Distance Learning Week which takes place annually to raise awareness about the benefits of distance learning.
From November 4th through November 8th, CW spotlights some of our online students who participated in the survey where they were asked how earning an online degree will impact their lives and if it were not for online, would they have earned a degree.
Be sure to check out our social media pages for more features!
Georgette
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Earning my online degree will impact my life a great deal. WOW! I can then get the perfect job, have less stress over bills, and give my beautiful daughters a great future. I will officially become the “Boss Lady/CEO.” I plan to do big things in my life.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
I am a highly motivated individual who has a drive for success in all areas of my life. I am currently in healthcare and love it. Taking care of others, putting a smile on someone’s face who is ill is very rewarding. I would have attended classes on campus even if I could not be online. I am a visual learner and online is a try out for me right now. I have had great professors so far. Online classes helped me to work long hours and still complete assignments. I have jobs where I can manage that. On campus would have helped me better in the sense that I like to ask questions. I like to interact with the professors and get my questions answered right away. The online professors I have had so far are great and fast in responding to me by zoom or phone call. The CW staff and professors on campus always make my day. I miss seeing them.
Lessa
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
My online degree will be a monumental overturn in my life. I will be the first in my family with a bachelor’s degree. I know it will make my son proud that his momma broke past the chains of our family. He deserves better in his life, and I want to be the one to give him that.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
If I were not able to attend online, it would have been very difficult if not impossible for me to get my degree. I am a divorced mom with no driver’s license and this program lets me do what I have to without those barriers.
Aliyah
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Pursuing my degree online will have a profound impact on my life. Originally from the Caribbean and now studying in the U.S., I appreciate the unique opportunity that online education provides to stay connected to home while advancing my education. The flexibility of online learning allows me to fit studies around my work schedule and other responsibilities, which is essential since I’m working while attending school. This adaptability enables me to stay committed to my professional and academic goals simultaneously.
The accessibility of online learning also fuels my desire for personal and professional growth. I’m able to access resources and educational opportunities that I may not have had in Grenada. Continuing my education while working has helped me build time management and self-discipline skills that will be invaluable in my future career in human and social services.
Of course, the journey comes with challenges. Balancing multiple roles can be demanding, and the self-directed nature of online learning requires sustained focus and motivation, especially after long work hours. But the knowledge that I am building a better future for myself and my family—particularly after the devastation of Hurricane Beryl and the ongoing struggles my family faces in Carriacou—keeps me driven.
Ultimately, earning my degree online is a crucial step toward my career aspirations, empowering me to balance my work and personal life while building a successful future.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online? Tell us more.
If I were not pursuing my degree online, it would have been much harder to earn one. Coming from the Caribbean, I would have faced financial and logistical challenges relocating for in-person classes. Online education allows me to work while studying, which gives me the flexibility to support myself and my family while staying on track with my academic goals. Without this option, balancing work and education might have been impossible. The ability to study remotely has truly opened doors that might not have been accessible otherwise.
Michelle
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Obtaining my degree will enable me to better support my family financially and provide me with a sense of accomplishment that I was able to finish what I started.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
I probably would not be able to finish without stopping because I have a lot on my plate. By attending school online I’m able to still work full-time, take care of my kids, Grandkids and my parents.
Lauris
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Earning my online degree will impact my life significantly. It will open new career opportunities, higher income, new knowledge and skills, and personal growth. In the long run it will help me be an example for my daughters to whom I do it all for; I want them to learn that no matter how difficult a goal can be, through perseverance, focus, and commitment, anything can be achieved.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
I can say that without the opportunity of online programs, it would have been more difficult to achieve my goals, especially with my lifestyle. Through the flexibility that comes with earning a degree online, I have been able to balance my studies and other responsibilities.
Elianna
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Having three babies is no easy job. Since I am a full-time stay at home mom, I have the opportunity to basically work from home, not only is this beneficial to my needs but to the needs of my children. I will be able to get a degree of my choice and make a decent amount of money once I do accomplish that goal.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
I would not have been able to earn my degree because I have three children and all who are home currently.
Rosalia
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Earning an online degree will have a significant impact in various ways, both professionally and personally, with increased job opportunities, higher earning potential, and better credentialing for future roles.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
No. Earning my degree online often requires balancing work, studies, and especially personal life. For sure this gave me excellent time management and multitasking skills that I didn’t have before.
Abdourahman
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
Earning my degree online gives me patience, flexibility, cost savings, and new career opportunities while enhancing my skills and personal growth.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
Yes, I would. However, due to life responsibilities and the essence of time to attend class, I know it would’ve been much harder to complete.
Justin
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
At 21, I’m earning my online bachelor’s degree in information technology. It’s already shaping my future by opening career opportunities in a field that’s in high demand. I’m building skills in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development, which will increase my chances of landing a well-paying job. This degree is setting me up for a successful career in tech while allowing me to balance school and life on my own schedule. It’s a big step toward independence and personal growth.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online? Tell us more.
If I had not chosen to pursue my degree online, I likely would not have been able to continue my education easily after moving far away. I could have made the sacrifice of switching colleges, but that would not have been my preference as I love The College of Westchester. The flexibility of online learning has allowed me to keep progressing without disruption, giving me the freedom to stay with the school I am passionate about while adapting to life changes.
John
How will earning your online degree impact your life?
I have been blessed to hold leadership roles throughout my career, and I have contributed significantly to the corporate landscape. However, furthering my education with this online degree, while learning from others and best practices in business will help to create more opportunities for me to continue to positively impact corporate culture, as well as to create a better future for both me and my family. My hope is that this accomplishment will motivate my children to continue to excel in their academic careers.
Would you have earned a degree if you were not able to attend online?
During this chapter of my life, the only feasible option for continuing my education is online studies. Between my family and my business, my schedule would not allow for it.