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Advice from Current Students
Wondering how to balance your online courses while maintaining full-time employment? Read how B.J. successfully juggles all of his responsibilities.
William (B.J.) Buss
My journey at Upper Iowa University - online began in January of 2008. I attended a University as a traditional student, but was not able to complete my education at that time. In considering a return to further my education I researched many online Universities, and for me, there was no hesitation that Upper Iowa University would provide an excellent online education with the flexibility needed to juggle the needs of a nontraditional student.
In my task to balance a full time traveling sales occupation and my family life with a wife and two small daughters while working to earn a Bachelors' degree was not a simple task. But, I am proof that it can be accomplished with work and determination. Yes, there will be late evenings and early mornings when studying has to come first, but the importance of getting an education and earning my degree was my driving force.
The best advice I can offer to any student entering UIU's online program is to make it a priority to set aside time everyday to log into class. It can be easy to distance yourself from the classroom if you do not prioritize and do this. Even if you are not posting for that particular day, it's still important to read what is occurring in class discussions and be aware of any updates the professor may have added during the day.
I am proud of the education I have earned by being a student at the University of Upper Iowa Online!
Travel a great distance to study in Fayette? Read how Jerome has transitioned to living in a new country and adjusted to being a student at UIU.
Jerome Chong
My name is Jerome Chong Wei Mun, an international student who transferred from a UIU extension center in Malaysia majoring in Marketing and Management with a minor in Human Resource Management. This is actually my first time studying abroad, and I would have to say that it has been nothing but a huge adventure; no doubt it is tough being far away from friends and family but expanding your knowledge and education is crucial for a successful career in the future. Coming from a city 9,500 miles away with a population of approximately 1 million people, it was a little shocking to see a small town like Fayette, but it was the best and ideal place to focus on my studies.
I arrived in Fayette on August 16, 2010, and it has been a little over a year since I arrived to campus. I have learned a lot educationally as well as professionally. Even though the minimum requirement is only 6 credits a term, I usually take 3 subjects a term to graduate earlier as well as challenge myself to do more in a limited amount of time. To be honest, it is tough but definitely manageable with all the resources as well as available help provided by the university. I start off by absorbing as much as I can in class and taking notes down for references. It is also important to participate in class discussions. Not only does it keeps you from falling asleep, but it also reminds you of the answer to the question as you answer it or attempt to answer it on an exam. This is explained through a saying, 'You learn from your mistakes'. After that, on a weekly basis, revising the notes and remembering the lectures would be useful as it reassures the knowledge and topics learned in class as you will get familiarized with it. Moreover, I try to study and know my 'stuff' by heart at least a day before a major exam as it would be less tiring for the mind to focus on during exam time. Granted, there were a few times I did a few last-minute studying but it is not really a healthy and good situation to be in as you will feel unstable for the test the next day. Additionally, whenever there is an assignment, the library would be the best place to research and complete homework as it is filled with information and is the quietest spot available on campus. Whenever I am done with the paper and I need someone to proofread it, the writing center would be the best place to go to as they do check for grammatical errors as well.
Besides going to classes for my education, I have joined a few clubs and organizations such as P.A.S.T., which stands for Peacocks Alumni for Students and Traditions. P.A.S.T. makes contact with alumni to keep them updated with Upper Iowa University and at the same time networking with them for future references. The club also brings back UIU traditions to inform and remind people of those cultural values UIU held in the past. For example, you are not considered a graduate of UIU unless you kiss someone under the arch. Besides that, I am also currently a supervisor at the recreational center, learning the responsibilities of a job as well as preparing myself to deal with conflicts that might occur in the 'real world' in the near future. These values are hard to learn in class for real hands-on experiences are not available in textbooks and lectures.
These are a few strategies I use to learn and gain knowledge in class as well as outside of class. Though not everyone studies and absorbs the same way, this is just the way that works for me to boost my grades. Studying abroad is as tough as it gets, but the experience has been exhilarating as everything you do is for and by yourself like laundry, preparing meals, studying, working and other activities. No one could take or steal your experience and knowledge you gain from the things you do in college as it is yours to keep until it is time to leave this precious earth, so make the most of it.
Involved in on-campus activities including athletics, clubs, and/or organizations? Read strategies Anthony and Missy utilize to complete all of their tasks.
Anthony DiJohn
My name is Anthony DiJohn. I am a senior majoring in accounting, financial management, and business management. I play on the men's soccer team, am President of Student Government Association, and a member of Alpha Nu Omega, PAST, and PBL. Being involved in so many different organizations around campus, I have very little free time. Therefore, it is critical that I plan ahead and make the most of the little time I do have between class, practice, and meetings. Thankfully, the professors at Upper Iowa are readily available to help and are willing to do everything they can to guide their students along the path to success. It is important to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity if you ever need a little extra assistance. Even though your parents are not here to monitor your every action, make sure you always attend class and stay up to date with your homework. Do not procrastinate and wait until the very last minute to write a twenty page paper that was assigned the first week of the term. Create deadlines for yourself along the way and mark them in your daily planner to stay organized. Moreover, set goals for what you would like to accomplish in your time here at Upper Iowa, and constantly work to achieve them. In the end, we all have a very similar goal or we would not be here: to walk across the stage on graduation day and be awarded our degree. But how will you get there and what will you accomplish along the way? That is what truly defines us all. Enjoy yourself, but always remember, school comes first.
Missy Olson
My name is Missy Olson, and I am from St. Olaf, Iowa. I attended Central Community high school in Elkader, Iowa. I am currently a sophomore at Upper Iowa where I am majoring in Conservation Management with a Biology minor. I am also on the softball team at Upper Iowa.
The transition from high school to college was a pretty smooth transition for me. The biggest challenge was managing my time efficiently, especially with being an athlete. I found that the weekends were where I could get most of my school work done. To keep on track with managing my time, I write all of my assignments in a planner. Also, in high school I would study for a test the night before a test and do quite well. I found that studying the night before a test was quite stressful in college with all the information that is given in a short amount of time. Now I study a few days in advance of an exam. To help maintain the information taught in class, I rewrite my notes later that night. With these new practices that I began to do, I have been able to succeed in and out of the classroom.
Need help transitioning from high school to college? Read the changes Kayla made to her study habits to help her be a more successful student.
Kayla Ludwigson
My name is Kayla Ludwigson, and I am a senior from Alma, Wisconsin double majoring in psychology and human services with a minor in sociology. In high school, I was the type of student who never had to study and still passed the class. However, that completely changed after I came to UIU; I quickly realized that what I did in high school (which was virtually nothing) was not going to work in college. I had to completely relearn how to study. This was a pretty difficult process, but after a while, I found some study tips that work the best for me.
Take notes in your own words. If the professor says something in class and you don't understand it, yet you write it down exactly how he or she said it, you won't understand it when you try to study. Always, always, always ask questions. If you don't feel comfortable asking questions in class, ask the professor after class. It is better to ask later than to never ask at all. Review notes a little each night. It is easier to spend five or ten minutes a night looking over notes than it is to try and cram studying into one night-long session (especially when you have more than one test for which to study). Reward yourself. Take some short breaks from studying or doing homework to give yourself a rest. If your brain is feeling fried, taking a break might make it easier to focus later.
I hope some of these tips will be helpful! If they are not, however, the most important thing to remember is to do what works for you. Not all study tips work for every person, so find what does work for you and stick with it. :)
