{"id":2066,"date":"2022-07-29T09:09:47","date_gmt":"2022-07-29T16:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2066"},"modified":"2025-10-14T15:22:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T22:22:19","slug":"how-to-survive-returning-to-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/how-to-survive-returning-to-college\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecampus grads share their advice on returning to college online"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"font-size: 16.0pt;\">8 tips for deciding to go back to school and more<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Meet the Oregon State University Ecampus graduate. To an outsider, they are confident in their decisions, succeeding at work and stellar at managing a seemingly endless to-do list without breaking a sweat.<\/p>\n<p>They may not always view themselves this way, but that\u2019s because they started where you are now. Looking for inspiration.<\/p>\n<p>What would it take for you to inspire yourself? Maybe it would be taking on new challenges or moving up in your professional field. Maybe it would be finishing something you started a long time ago. If any of those tasks would do the trick, one solution could be earning or returning to college to finish your degree online.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, we asked a collection of Oregon State grads for advice on deciding to go back to school and juggling life while taking classes online. Their answers just might inspire you to keep working toward becoming the version of yourself you aspire to be.<\/p>\n<h3>On making the first move toward getting your degree<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cBelieve in yourself, and go for it! Taking that first step is the hardest, but by the end, you will have a new confidence and a degree!&#8221;<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Nicole Moody<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/undergraduate\/women-gender-sexuality-studies\/\">B.A. in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon&#8217;t waste time wondering how you&#8217;re going to do it all. Just take one week at a time, make a plan for that week, and keep going.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Anne Thrall-Nash<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/undergraduate\/eep\/\">B.S. in Environmental Economics and Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cChange is hard. Open heart, open mind, and hard work will get you through anything.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Brittney Haddon<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/graduate\/education\/master-counseling\/\">M.Coun. in School Counseling<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>For when things get challenging<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cWhen you begin to doubt yourself, remember all those who have gone before you and made it to the end, many who might have had even less experience than you. Come up with a game plan and take it one day at a time.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Blake Lester<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/undergraduate\/computer-science-postbacc\/\">B.S. in Computer Science<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe road to success is not always easy. But, go with an open mind and determination. Even on your bad days remember the goal ahead.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Velda Hendricks<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/undergraduate\/ag\/\">B.S. in Agricultural Sciences<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cRelax and just keep a level head. Stay grounded, calm and focused. It&#8217;s going to be more rewarding than difficult.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Sarah Newton<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/undergraduate\/sociology\/\">B.A. in Sociology<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>When you need a little motivation<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThe person you&#8217;ll be after sacrificing so much to earn this degree is someone that you&#8217;ll be proud of.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Zak Evans<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/graduate\/mba\/\">MBA in Business Analytics<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour work life will be completely changed for the better by the time you&#8217;re done with this. The short-term sacrifice now is worth it for the longer-term security it will provide.\u201d<br \/>\n<strong>\u2014 Anthony Fiore<\/strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/topics\/computer-science\/\">B.S. in Computer Science<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Ready to return to college?<\/h2>\n<p>If these Oregon State alumni have helped you decide that returning to college to earn your degree online is the right move for you, we\u2019d love to be a part of your journey. Reach out to our enrollment services specialists today, and take the next step toward future you.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"rfi-button\" class=\"button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/contact\/\">Contact us<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minute read<\/span><\/span>Oregon State Ecampus grads know all too well how hard returning to college can be when juggling it with life and work. Here, they share their tips for success and self-motivation through thick and thin.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,15],"tags":[654,374,107,160,91,75],"class_list":["post-2066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-staff","tag-advice","tag-college-of-agricultural-sciences","tag-college-of-business","tag-college-of-engineering","tag-college-of-health","tag-college-of-liberal-arts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Velda-Hendricks-Group-shot.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-xk","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2008,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2022-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":2066,"position":0},"title":"OSU faculty, staff to receive awards from Ecampus for dedication to student experience","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2022 Ecampus Awards celebrate OSU faculty and staff excellence and commitment to student success through superior online experiences.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Awards&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Awards","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/in-the-news\/awards\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1746,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/ecampus-honors-faculty-staff-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":2066,"position":1},"title":"OSU Ecampus honors faculty, staff for commitment to online learning and students","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Oregon State Ecampus Awards showcase OSU Ecampus faculty and staff commitment to online education, student success and course development. Through innovation, iteration and integrity, these Ecampus partners take on life's biggest challenge: shaping this world's future through education.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2359,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/benefits-online-honors-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2066,"position":2},"title":"Unlocking the benefits of an online honors degree","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"September 18, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Every OSU Ecampus student who is accepted into the Honors College meets with Leanna Dillon before officially enrolling. This helps set expectations and allows Dillion to learn about each student's research interests and career goals.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Woman doing a video call on her laptop","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/news-Unlocking-the-benefits-of-an-online-honors-degree-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2273,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2023-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":2066,"position":3},"title":"OSU faculty, staff lauded for commitment to online student experience","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"For the seventh year in a row, Ecampus presented its Ecampus Awards. The 2023 awardees included six OSU faculty and staff partners who exemplify the Oregon State commitment to student success and course innovation. Read more about each faculty member and the university's five instructors who received Quality Matters certifications\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ecampus award winners stand together for a photo. From left: Blake Hausman, Doug Reese, Noah Buckley, Marc Curtis, Lynn Greenough.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2244,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/first-online-honors-degree\/","url_meta":{"origin":2066,"position":4},"title":"Oregon State University unveils one of the world&#8217;s first online honors degree options","author":"Gary Dulude","date":"March 1, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University\u2019s nationally ranked online undergraduate programs are about to add a new distinction. Starting in spring term 2023, the Oregon State Honors College will become one of the first honors programs in the world to be fully accessible to online students.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A smiling male student kneels in a greenhouse with a notepad and pen in hand.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/oregon-state-honors-college-online.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2386,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/meet-the-ecampus-student-ambassadors\/","url_meta":{"origin":2066,"position":5},"title":"Meet the Ecampus student ambassadors","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"January 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"This year's team of Ecampus student ambassadors includes Annmarie Floyd and two more ambassadors to be named. They're from varied locations, ages and backgrounds. So no matter where you're coming from, we're sure one of our student ambassadors can help.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A middle aged woman wearing glasses smiles at a laptop while holding a mug.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-Ecampus-ambassadors-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-Ecampus-ambassadors-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-Ecampus-ambassadors-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/News-Ecampus-ambassadors-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2066"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2066\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}