Taking quizzes in my pajamas
Back to school again
This fall I began an online master’s degree in clinical counseling at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. For full disclosure, as an extrovert who thrives on human connection, I would have preferred a face to face program. Some of my favorite memories of seminary are the informal conversations we had outside of class. However, because of the transitory nature of our current stay in Columbia, that was not a realistic possibility.
On the other hand, CMU’s virtual program has opened the door to people who might never be able to participate in a traditional educational program. Many members of my cohort are working full time, taking care of families, or live in out of the way places. Without an online option, many of these folks would simply be unable to pursue licensure and the counseling field would not benefit from their passion, wisdom, and experience.
Developing a different set of skills
Seven weeks into the semester, I finally feel like I am starting to get the hang of online learning. Besides the fact that I am in a completely new field of study, I have found that virtual education requires a slightly different set of skills than the ones that got me through my previous graduate school experience.
Studying online requires far more self-direction. As long as I meet the weekly deadlines, I can essentially set my own schedule. Because my professors are not always immediately available, I am learning to supplement official course books and lectures with supplemental materials like YouTube videos and TED Talks.
The biggest change, however, has been the way I interact with my classmates. While online connections can sometimes be rather ephemeral, the fact that we get a weekly glimpse into each other’s lives via Zoom means that I have virtually met spouses, kids, and pets. This has sped up the get-acquainted process and made the names on the screen far more human than they would be otherwise.
Finally, there is one huge benefit of online education that should not be overlooked. Because I am not bound to a traditional classroom I am able to take tests in my pajamas and watch lectures in the city park. In seminary I never attended lectures sitting on the patio at Wendy’s drinking a pumpkin spiced frosty. That alone is worth the price of admission.
