Unfortunately, it proved to be too much and I had to put my education on hold. I spent the next two decades working mostly in customer service jobs, but in the midst of the recession and approaching my 40th birthday, I decided that it was time to go back to college so that I could get a stable career and wouldn’t have to worry anymore about the threat of layoffs or possible unemployment.

I started looking into schools and programs to find out what would be the best fit, and online education seemed to make the most sense both for my schedule and financially.

I wanted a degree in a field that would have lots of job opportunities and I’m interested in healthcare, so last September I enrolled in the Medical Administrative Assistant Associate’s Degree program at Bryant & Stratton College Online. Once I graduate, I’ll have the education I need to get a job working in a hospital or at a doctor’s office.

While I admit that I was a little nervous about going back to school after so much time off and I didn’t know what to expect, I surprised myself with how well I was able to acclimate to online learning.

I’ve found that I really enjoy it and now I’m not only going to school for job security, but for myself as well. I also like that I’m able to serve as a role model for my children and grandchildren, showing them that a college degree is important and that it is never too late to get an education.

Melissa Johnson lives in Campbellsville, Ky., and is currently a student at Bryant & Stratton College Online in the Medical Administrative Assistant Associate’s Degree program. Prior to enrolling at Bryant & Stratton College Online, Melissa spent more than 20 years in various customer service roles. She has two grown children and is married.

In August, she will receive a college degree. At age 36, the single, working mother of two reminisces about not being sure she’d ever be able to finish what she started long ago.

“I married young, and my husband was in the military,” Dixon says. “It was hard to complete college since we moved often. Having to keep up with transcripts and transfer credits from place to place was hard.”

Dixon was excited to find a program that allowed her to complete her degree in a reasonably short amount of time. While browsing the web, Dixon found a website that introduced the Bachelor of Integrated Studies (B.I.S.) in Organizational Communication program.

After looking over all the details she knew that even as a busy working parent, the program was something she could complete. “It was geared toward adults, people just like me,” Dixon notes. “It provided the flexibility of study that I needed.”

The program that made Dixon’s dream possible began at the Murray State University Hopkinsville Regional Campus in the fall of 2007 with the express intent of fast-tracking a degree for nontraditional students.

Short courses, evening courses and online courses meant that students could complete the program in as little as 16 months.

In addition, the B.I.S. degree allows students to use the college credit and experience they already have toward a degree and lets them create their own field of study emphasis. Potential students can also earn credit for long-term job experience; ideal for a candidate who has worked at a company for several years and does not yet have their degree.

Dixon admits that financial concerns and paying for school are things to consider when thinking about entering the program. “I was fortunate enough to receive financial assistance because I’m a single mother,” she explains. “But even for students who must pay out-of-pocket, this program is affordable. Every dollar you may spend for this goes a bit further than it would for other education choices. The investment in this wonderful, wonderful program is worth every penny.”

“In the late 80’s, I was a matriculated MBA student at a top business school. My classes were on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and my company was paying for my education,” says Dawn Palazzo of Rochester, N.Y.

For family reasons, she stopped taking classes—and thought about restarting 11 years later.

“About this time, online MBA programs became more popular. After hearing a segment on these programs on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America,’ I contacted the University of Phoenix,” Palazzo says. “The MBA program at the University of Phoenix was an accredited program and offered more classes on a rotating basis than others I was looking at, which meant that my studies wouldn’t be put on hold because of a lack of class offerings.”

Working online taught Palazzo much about teamwork and communication.

“Many professionals have designations that require them to maintain continuing educational requirements, and e-education is one of the most cost effective and time-efficient ways to meet those requirements,” she says. “It certainly worked for me.”

After 15 years of working in the same business, Rob Dyreson from Spokane, Wash., was ready for a career change.

“I wanted to follow a career path that I was passionate about,” he says.

Dyreson is now a student at Eastern Washington University, where he’s pursuing a computer science degree.

“If the desire to make a change is there, then why not take a chance?” he says. “I don’t know what my future holds, but at least I’m excited about it again.”

When Shelly Scheffe enrolled in the University of Phoenix, she was assigned both academic and financial advisers.

“My enrollment counselor called almost every weekday for the first several weeks to make sure I was adjusting to going back to school,” she says. They now touch base monthly.

“This support gave me the encouragement I needed to go back to school and succeed,” she says.

Scheffe originally planned to earn a bachelor’s degree in business, but switched to business/IS because of the job opportunities and her previous work experience with computers and software.

“I was at a point in my career [where] I had to get more education if I wanted to be eligible for future promotions,” Scheffe says. “Plus I was leaning toward a career change since my options were limited without six to eight more years in school at my

Scheffe recommends using your college’s resources and advisers to be successful.

“Success begins with believing in yourself, even when things all seem to go wrong as life does sometimes,” she says. “…Help is available, but you have to ask for it. No one knows if you are struggling with a particular assignment if you don’t let someone know. Tutors, classmates (even online classmates) and online tutorials are tools that are available to help anyone succeed in school.”

Sheila Humphreys had some strict requirements for a new career field: It had to be something new, help her make more money and give her more time to spend with her kids.

Humphreys, from Anthem, Ariz., decided that an associate degree in nursing would help her meet those goals. She is now working on her prerequisites for a nursing program.

“So far so good, though it is difficult to find financial assistance since most is geared toward younger people and I am not seen as ‘in need,’” Humphreys says. “Fortunately, my school has a payment plan!”

It’s also a challenge to balance school with full-time work and two children under 13 years old.

To help her manage it all, Humphreys suggests setting aside specific times and places to study.

“If you choose your local library, your children can go with you and do other activities while you study,” she says.

In 1994, I left RIT after six years of indecision and entered the working world. I was fortunate enough to work for inspirational managers and supportive companies, which provided mentoring and guidance. This fueled my professional growth and diminished my immaturity.

I began my career at J. Crew and proceeded to grow professionally at Toys “R” Us, Liz Claiborne, C-bridge Internet Solutions, Thomson Healthcare/Medical Economics and Thomson Healthcare/Physicians World. Although my lack of a bachelor’s degree never impaired my ability to rise to the position of technology director, I did find that I hit a glass ceiling. In order to progress professionally beyond this level, most executive candidates possessed an advanced degree. My lack of a bachelor’s degree prevented me from progressing academically and professionally at that point.

It was during this time I decided to contact RIT and complete my degree. With the assistance of an academic counselor, I was able to salvage the credits I had accrued in my previous collegiate experience and apply them toward a degree program that suited my career path.

In the beginning, I conservatively took one course every year. But since I decided to consistently take at least one course per quarter, I received my bachelor’s degree in the summer of 2003. That’s only 15 years after I started RIT as a teenager! Needless to say, my entire family was excited.

If I were to pick one aspect of online learning that I embraced the most, it’s the near-self-paced progression. The best instructors have structured classes that allow you to manage your workload to within a week’s time. This regimented yet liberal schedule allows the professional student the ability to work, raise a family, take classes and cut the lawn without sacrificing professional, personal or private time.

However, the best part about an online learning program is the student’s ability to complete coursework and subsequently degree work. Regardless of your situation, it just works—whether you started college and want to finish, or if you want to see what college is all about before committing four years of your life to the task.

If you have a demanding lifestyle that needs balance to make it all work, online learning has a positive place in every motivated student’s portfolio!

I had attended a local community college and was looking for a school where I could freely share my faith in a learning environment. Palm Beach Atlantic’s online program seemed tailored to my needs. The online program didn’t require I leave my family to attend classes.

The online program was a great experience for me both personally and corporately. I was challenged but not overwhelmed. I worked with perseverance, and it paid off.

This program has been a confidence builder. Through class discussions, I’ve seen that I have valid statements to make and questions to ask. Students and faculty respond, and we learn together.

My husband and I founded a nonprofit organization called Building Our House. Our current goal is to expand the organization throughout the county. Building Our House teaches young women manners, etiquette and what it means to be a godly and virtuous woman in today’s culture. There is also a club in the works for young men, training them in chivalry, integrity and what it means to be a godly man. I’m also publishing a guidebook called “Divine Debutantes.” Eventually we hope to launch these programs nationally.

During my PBA studies, I was able to complete part of a business plan in the budget and analysis course. I read a book on nonprofit management for an assignment in the career assessment and planning course. I was easily able to incorporate my career interests into what I was learning in the classes.

My advice to students considering online study is to not be intimidated. Don’t think you lack the discipline to succeed without a traditional classroom. Your classmates and professors will help you and hold your hand when necessary. And you will make friends for life just as you might in a traditional setting.

In some ways you get to know your classmates and teachers better than in a traditional setting. In an online course, you have a conversation about a subject for an entire week. You can respond uninterrupted as you post your thoughts. The best part is that you can go to class whenever you want. Class is open 24/7 for your convenience.

I just wasn’t committed. I did enough just to get by. By 1997, after having been in college for nearly five years, I’d only earned enough credit hours to graduate with an associate degree. Circumstances in my personal life made it necessary for me to leave school. I was out for about three years.

During the years that I was out of school, I realized that I had wasted time. I was so disappointed in myself, but I was determined to get back to school and finish what I started. I came back to school in the summer of 2000. I made sure never to miss a class, and I was never late. I completed every assignment and reading.

Much to my surprise and to my instructor’s, I was the best student in the class and I got an A. I remember once I got to class early, and my teacher who had known me since I was 18 asked, “How did you get so good? I don’t remember you being this good.”

While out of school, I had plenty of time to think about my life and the poor decisions that I had made. I turned my mistakes into lessons and I used that experience to grow and develop so that I could be a better student.

Though I made it back and eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English, it was not an easy task. I constantly struggled with feelings of low self-esteem and intimidation. Many of the students in my classes were young women fresh out of high school who were smart and capable—and they knew it.

However, as the eldest son, my father needed my help in planting and harvesting crops, which caused me to miss school up to two days a week.

I moved to the U.S. and began work at Florida Power & Light in 1980 as a winch truck operator. Over the years, I have been able to work my way up to becoming a distribution dispatcher. But I knew my opportunities for advancement would be much better with a college degree.

As the father of five, my son Eric, Jr., is one of the motivating forces behind me attending college. When I ask him, “Son, are you spending enough time doing your homework?” his reply was, “Dad, you have no idea what it’s like to be in college.” So I thought about going back to school.

I went to colleges in the area, and didn’t find a course schedule that coincided with my work schedule. Fortunately, some co-workers and friends recommended Palm Beach Atlantic.

I began my college career on January 10, 2005. My time in college has been some of the most exciting of my life.

I chose the organizational management program because it encompassed more than the other programs I explored. The moment I walked on campus, I knew the environment was right—even though I was still a little apprehensive about returning to school.

The first professor I had was out of this world. She knew how to break down my apprehension and made me feel at ease.

My courses have prepared me to be a more effective leader in my job, community, church and my family. And to me, that is what really matters. My experience at PBA has also helped me understand my co-workers better.

If you are thinking of going back to college, don’t wait another minute. Time is of the essence, and tomorrow is not going to be any easier. Go do it now. Your self-esteem will benefit, and you’ll be more equipped to relate to people on a daily basis.