Team Cheryle

 Education:

     As you know, I am a full-time student at American Public University. I am in the BS Public Health program. I am taking two classes every eight weeks. That translates into working 35-50 hours per week on my studies. I have completed four courses, and my current GPA is 3.9. One of my goals is to maintain my GPA at a 3.9 or higher throughout the continuation of my program.

I always knew that online college would be a challenge for me. Having ADD is a challenge for any student in a regular classroom, but the problems of an online class are tenfold when you have ADD. A person must be very organized, focus and have the ability to keep to a timeline.  When you are an Online learner, you give up the commute and hours sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture and taking notes and spending hours in the library or at home reading, studying and completing assignments. Online learners must teach themselves the material given by the instructors. We rely on weekly forum posts for classroom dialog, hours of reading and pulling as many resources as possible to connect the concepts to make sense.

Over the years of being a student, I have been able to adapt to any situation being a student. I have sought out and used many different resources for study tips, organization tips, note taking…I could go on. The system that I find works best for me is to use a combination of old tech and new tech. I use pen and paper, printed notes, highlighters, textbooks, whiteboards. I also use my iPad, pencil, ebooks and online with my laptops. Many look at my system and say “that’s too much”. My mind has to use all of those things to learn. That has been the key to my success.

My current term started on Nov. 6. This term has been a more significant challenge for me than the last two. I am taking Chemistry with Lab and Food and Culture. The Food and Culture class is a combination of Psychology, Sociology, and Nutrition all mixed together. So far the week has been introduction and reading. I would say that the reading assignments this week are fascinating. I loved when I took both Psychology and Sociology since I find the study of both fascinating. Take that and mix it with why we eat, what we eat

The Food and Culture class is best described as Psychology, Sociology, and Nutrition all mixed together. So far the week has been introduction and reading. I would say that the reading is very interesting. I loved when I took both Psychology and Sociology since I find the study of both fascinating. Take that and mix it with why we eat, what we eat.

Chemistry with Lab online, yes that is exactly what I said. I know I have said for years that I would not ever take Chemistry. I will admit that I am scared out of my mind to not be successful but I am up for the challenge. Taking a Lab class that is full hands-on via computer is strange but so far it is interesting. I have been spending many hours this week getting not only organized for my class but reading, watching lab videos.

At this time this is all I have for an education update….Stay tuned… more updates to come.