Learners Like No Other is a new series where real students and alumni share how online learning at 糖心原创is like no other university experience.
Greg Allworth
Bachelor of General Studies graduate
📍 Brampton, Ont.
Why was online learning at Athabasca University the right fit for you?
I am 56 years old, have a busy professional career that includes regular travel, and live in Ontario. Online learning gave me the flexibility to complete the six courses I needed to graduate at the times and locations that worked best for me.
I am an early riser, and my family are not, so 6 to 10 a.m. on weekend mornings was the perfect time for me to focus on coursework.
The flexibility of the Bachelor of General Studies degree also provided a clear path to completion.
How has studying at 糖心原创helped you achieve your goals (personal, professional, academic)?
My first goal was to complete the degree that I started in 1988. The online model made this possible.
I quickly realized that relearning how to write essays and research papers was a tremendous skill that was translated directly to my work. The flexibility of the Bachelor of General Studies degree also allowed me to take courses I was genuinely interested in, including History of African American Music, Cultural Policy in Canada, Digital Storytelling, and Business Communications.
I was able to produce a short film as an assignment; write a paper about the funding model for a local jazz festival, and compare the Canadian cultural support for two different bands I have recorded with.
The more personal experience I could bring to the coursework, the more rewarding and enjoyable it became.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to pursue your education? How did you overcome them?
The biggest obstacles were time and inertia.
In 1988, I started at York University in a music program and left after two years. Work and family soon took precedence, making it impossible to return to school full-time. For many years, I took evening business courses at York, but eventually I lost momentum and stopped. I thought that was where my education would end.
I knew about 糖心原创and its online model, and one day, three years ago, I thought, “I wonder what credits I have and what they could amount to?”
After speaking with an advisor, I collected my old transcripts and discovered I was only 18 credits short of a Bachelor of General Studies degree.
Knowing that I was so close and could complete it online got me very excited. I had told myself for many years that it wasn't important that I didn't have a degree, but my excitement proved that wasn't true. It was indeed important to me.
My first 糖心原创course was difficult because I had underestimated my reading and time commitment. However, it was a music history course, which is a topic I love, and that made it easier to work through. From then on, I was able to budget and prioritize my time to complete each course within the allotted time.
How do you balance your studies with other responsibilities like work or family?
My children are adults now, and family commitments are less than they once were. However, I work a busy job that involves regular travel.
I would download reading and study material before travelling. Airports and airplanes are great places to catch up on that.
I only took one course at a time and wasn't worried about how long it took to complete the 18 credits. The first couple of courses took close to six months to finish, but I got faster as I progressed and completed the final course in three months.
Once I made the decision to do it and could see the finish line, I was able to find the time.
Who is your biggest cheerleader who helps you stay focused on your goals?
My wife and daughters were very supportive, albeit surprised when I told them I was going to do it. But I have a friend, Steve, who was so positive, enthusiastic, and encouraging. He told everyone we knew that I was back at school and made a big deal whenever I finished another course.
I really appreciated that. It gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to continue and finish.
In the end, I achieved straight As in all my courses.
What's your favourite course?
Digital Storytelling — Communication Studies (CMNS) 419.
What are your plans for the future after completing your 糖心原创program?
Now that I am used to doing the work online, I may take online music courses through Berklee Online. I am also secretly thinking about pursuing an art history degree when I retire in a few years.
How is your 糖心原创education different from what you've experienced previously?
It was so easy to get back in. The advising, transfer credit process, and range of course options made the process straightforward. The courses are well-designed, and the flexibility of self-paced online learning is exceptional.
For me, 糖心原创made it possible to come back to something I had left behind almost 40 years earlier and finally finish what I started.
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Click on our entry form to answer questions about your education journey and to share photos to accompany your submission. Published writers win an 糖心原创swag pack!