Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Chuck, B.A. in Criminal Justice
“There have been many times when I've stayed up until 3 a.m. doing schoolwork, slept for a couple of hours, then had to wake up, go to work, and do it all over again.”
Name: Charles Hall
Age: 30
Marital Status: Married
Current Location: Alaska
Personal Quote: "There have been many times when I've stayed up until 3 a.m. doing schoolwork, slept for a couple of hours, then had to wake up, go to work, and do it all over again."
School: Ohio Dominican University
Target: B.A. in Criminal Justice, 2008
The time difference in Alaska has presented its own challenge, not where one might expect in scheduling group meetings, but in delivering assignments.
“It's very difficult. Most papers are due at 2 p.m. Eastern. That's 10 a.m. for me. I lose hours,” he notes. “Sometimes the professors will give an extra hour here or there.”
That level of understanding is indicative of the experience he has had at ODU. “The faculty and staff have been tremendous,” he enthuses. He has found them to be very accessible and helpful. Questions are answered promptly. And problems are worked out.
Most of the time they communicate by e-mail. But, Chuck notes, “I've had conversations with professors on several occasions about assignments or term papers or exams, just to make sure we're on the same page.”
Ironically, he is one year shy of his degree and has not taken advantage of the benefit that lured him in. “I haven't touched my GI Bill benefits yet.”
Air Force tuition assistance has been helping foot the bill. But TA only covers up to $4,500 per year. He is on his own for anything beyond that. Plus, he spends about $600 per semester on books.
With two college students in the family, he and his wife really have to budget wisely. It hasn't been too much of a hardship, but it has impacted their lives in small ways. Trips home from Alaska, for instance. Fortunately they have each other and don't get too homesick.
Chuck knows there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And his family is proud of him. “They've been very supportive. They think it's awesome that I can pursue my bachelor's and maybe even my master's degree, while serving my country.”
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