Online Student Spotlight - Ashley Calvert

What is your major?

Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Applied Management Skills

How are online classes making it possible for you to keep working towards your degree?

Online classes have made many opportunities available to me. I am able to work full-time at my current job, and still pursue my degree. This has allowed me to gain professional work experience and apply the knowledge learned from my classes.

What did you like the most about online classes?

I love the freedom of online classes. I love having the ability to make my own schedule. While I did enjoy going to class in person, taking class online has completely freed my schedule up and made incredible opportunities available to me.

What is the most important benefit offered by online classes?

The reason I became an online student is because I wanted to be able to work in a professional environment while still going to school. Many employers are looking for full-time employees. This can create an obstacle for students when registering for classes that only have certain availabilities. The most important benefit of taking online classes is flexibility. I am able to work toward my degree while gaining professional office experience and that has given me great opportunities and taught me so much about the work force.

How do you balance work, family and school?

Being an online student has taught me many things. The most important thing that online classes have taught me is self-discipline and time management. I was able to balance work, family, and school by creating schedules for myself. When I begin an online class, I write all of the due dates in my calendar with reminders so that nothings surprises me later on. At the beginning of each week, I plan what needs to get done each day in order to ensure that all my work gets done. If I have to go out of town, or do something with my family, I plan around that and add extra work on other days.

What advice do you have for future Owls considering FAU?

If you are a future Owl, you're in for a treat! One piece of advice I can give is to stay true to yourself. Conforming to others will only hinder your success. Study what you love and if you don't know what that is yet, keep searching and I promise you'll find it. Be the best you that you can be!