Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Terry, M.S. in Computer Information Systems
What advice do you have for people who have to work full-time and get their degree at the same time?
Name: Terry Parnell
Age: 44
Children: Two
Current Location: Boston
Advice to Online Students: "Distance learning requires just as much, if not more, work as a land-based degree program."
School: Regis University
Target: Master's in Computer Information Systems, 2003
I would suggest they do it part-time like I did. This gave me more time to focus on my schoolwork and take on a larger course load so my time at school would not have to drag out. I know not everyone can do that, but it was less stressful not having so much professional work to do on top of school work hours and other personal obligations.
Would you have done it if you were working full-time?
If I had to work full-time while getting my master's degree, I would have still gone for the degree but lowered my class load. It would have taken longer to graduate that way, however.
Do you have any advice to share about distance learning?
Distance learning requires just as much, if not more work as a land-based degree program. Don't underestimate the work that will be involved when getting a distance learning degree. It can be just as much work, if not more than going through the traditional method of brick and mortar schools.
In the future, would you consider online education again or would you go back to traditional, on-campus experience?
I would consider going through the online education system again. I would do so because I can choose from a broad range of programs that may not be available from a local college or university. That's a huge plus to online learning—you can get programs from across the globe and not have to travel far to reap the benefits of online education.
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