Day in the Life of an Online Student

Every online student has a story to tell—about balancing family schedules, jobs, or other commitments to reach the degree they’ve dreamed about. For Lindsey Christman, balance and prioritization are helping her succeed in her three main responsibilities: parenting, work, and online education.

Christman, a wife and the mother of two young sons, works for Cornerstone Bank in St. Edward, Nebraska, where her position is based around customer service to open new accounts, process loans, and assist customers with their banking needs. In addition to being a full-time employee, Christman is a full-time online student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing/Management. 

Online classes at UNK are designed for students just like Christman, who lives 105 miles from campus and needs flexibility to fit coursework into a busy schedule. She describes how she stays balanced, explaining that it’s all about planning and sticking to your goals.

How do you balance school with career and family?

Support from everyone around me is what helps me stay balanced. I communicated to my job, family, and friends that I would be attending school again. I needed everyone’s support because this decision affects them all. Yes, there are many late nights, but the excitement of finishing this goal of mine helps me power through. When you really want to succeed at something, you make it work!!

Describe your experience in online courses. What is your typical semester course load like?

UNK has been an amazing experience for me so far, and I love that the online classes are not only convenient but also structured so well. I don’t feel like I am missing anything by not being in an actual classroom! At the beginning of each semester, there is a two-week adjustment period, it seems. You have to discover each professor’s teaching style and course workload. After that, the online experience is amazing. Being on your own makes you accountable for yourself. For me, my goal each semester is 15 credit hours, so my course load is high. Staying organized is key, but I do have faults at times. Learn, re-group, and get back on track!

What does your typical day look like?

Typically, my day begins at 6:30 a.m. My husband leaves for work around 6:45 a.m., so I usually like to speak to him before he leaves. I get ready quickly and wake the two boys. I drop one off at daycare and the other off at school. My workday last from 7:50 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. I pick up my kids, head home, and we do animal-related chores, then supper, baths, and bed! After that I usually start homework, and my husband folds laundry or does the dishes or we both tackle house chores quickly together. I will work ahead on homework to help free the nights that I have various meetings or just simply want to spend with the family. I log in and check my emails daily to make sure I am not missing new or changed information.

What advice do you have for others who are thinking of pursuing a degree online?

Go for it and make it your priority. Completing your degree is just a few short years in the whole scheme of life. Ask for help, communicate, and hit the books! There is such great satisfaction in completing one semester and moving closer to that graduation date.

Christman hopes to obtain a loan officer position after graduating in the upcoming year. As she gets closer to reaching her degree, she encourages others to start their UNK story by becoming an online student.

View a full list of online programs or contact UNK eCampus to get started toward your degree: 1.800.865.6388 or ecampus@unk.edu.