Life as an online student at Loyola has been anything but simple. As an upcoming senior, I’ve learned a lot and I know there’s still more to master. Balancing parenting, a full-time job, and online classes aren’t for anyone afraid of a challenge. 

Some days, things run smoothly: assignments are turned in on time, my household is in order, and work is handled. Other days, not everything goes as planned. I’m cramming course videos into lunch breaks, answering emails, and typing discussion posts with scattered papers all around me. The mental load is heavy, and burnout is a constant threat.

I’ve learned the hard way that self-care has to come first. For me, that means taking time for meditation, playing upbeat music, and doing anything that gets me in the groove and helps me power through the work ahead.

Online learning at Loyola has truly changed the game for me. Sure, there are moments when processes feel slower than if I could walk into an office in person and handle things face-to-face, but the trade-offs are worth it.

The ability to earn my degree on my schedule without sacrificing time with my kids or my full-time job makes all the difference. I’ve learned to pace myself, plan ahead, and make the most of the tools provided with instructors setting a supportive tone from the start through welcome videos and weekly check-ins andalways encouraging students to reach out when needed.

Earning a degree online isn’t the “easy way out” people sometimes imagine. It demands just as

much, if not more, discipline, focus, and problem-solving as a traditional classroom. The good news is that Assistant Dean and Online Professor Jill Boatright explains, “students can connect anytime they need, which is really unique. Many take the Online Adult Learning course to help ease into the online environment, and Loyola ensures they are supported every step of the way.”  

The projects mirror real-world demands, and the lessons stick because they’re useful beyond the classroom. 

That kind of support matters. Loyola professor Michael Giusti puts it this way: “The biggest mistake is trying to shoehorn an on-campus class into an online delivery. Both are different and should be thought of individually. But when both are approached intentionally, the online space becomes a valuable piece of the education puzzle.”

For online learners, routines vary but share the same balancing act. 

“I always remember to have my morning smoothie and do my homework

between teaching full-time. It’s the gift of a routine that keeps me grounded,”said Dominique Cambell, a senior at Loyola. 

Summer Brock finds balance in small daily joys. 

“I’m grateful for the flexibility to finish my degree while working full-time and still making space for morning beach walks, evenings cooking at home, and learning something new every day,” she says. “Studying remotely has taught me discipline, balance, and the value of continued growth.”  

The challenges come with rewards. There are times I wish I could walk in and get an immediate answer, but the flexibility to learn in my own space allows me to work where I excel most. Online learning has sharpened my discipline, strengthened my adaptability, and proven that determination doesn’t depend on location. 

Whether online or on campus, the effort is the same and the results are just as valuable in the professional world. Employers should see online graduates for what we are: skilled, adaptable, and ready to perform at the same level as any traditional graduate. 

The greatest reward isn’t just the degree, but it’s about knowing I stayed accountable, rose to the challenge, and never stopped showing up for my future.