Life as an Online Student: How I Managed to Balance Ivy League Academics, Work, and Martial Arts
By David Tian
(Admissions Consultant at The Edge Learning Center)
The global pandemic that wreaked havoc across the globe has irrevocably altered our approach to education. Online learning is now commonplace, and while it provides increased flexibility, it also comes with its own set of challenges.
I know this firsthand.
While serving as a consultant for The Edge Learning Centre, I also pursued coursework for a graduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania through its online MCIT (Master of Computer and Information Technology) program. On top of work and study, I was also spending my time training in various martial arts (including Taekwondo and Krav Maga), hitting the gym, and spending time with family.
Does balancing work, study, and persona & family time sound challenging? It can be, but with the right strategies in place, online learning, despite its drawbacks, can actually make all of this easier to achieve.
The Perks of Online Learning
1. Flexibility and Freedom
One of the biggest points of attraction to online learning is the ability to set your own schedule. Especially if most of your classes are asynchronous, you are the one who gets to decide when to watch lectures, complete assignments, and review material.
The nature of online studying made it possible for me to balance my job at The Edge, stay committed to my workouts, and still keep up with rigorous Ivy League coursework. Whether you’re a high school student juggling extracurriculars or a professional balancing a full-time job, online learning gives you that much-needed breathing room.
2. Learning at Your Own Pace
Because there is an incredible diversity in the skills and interests of people across the world, some concepts might come quickly, while others need more time to be processed, depending on your background and aptitude. Whereas in-person classes require you to pay attention for a set period of time, online courses often provide the ability to rewind lectures if you missed something, pause to take down notes, and review previous lectures on demand, as many times as needed.
In my own journey, this helped me tremendously because some topics in computer science are quite abstract and required me to rewatch videos several times before I fully understood. I recall watching my professor in my discrete math class solve a question several times using the stars and bars method (he made it look so easy!) before I finally got it. Being able to pace myself prevented the unnecessary pressure of having to understand difficult concepts right on the spot.
3. Access to Top-Tier Education from Anywhere
Thanks to online learning, I was able to study at an Ivy League institution while still living and working in East Asia. The ability to access world-class education without relocating is a game-changer for students who want a top-tier education but have personal, financial, or professional commitments that make moving difficult. This is especially true if you have a family to take care of, or a job that you cannot just abandon for a few years and come back for.
The Challenges of Online Learning
Of course, online learning isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Here are some common struggles and how I tackled them:
1. Negative Perception of Online Learning
Before Covid, degrees obtained online carried a certain stigma, as though they were somehow “less than” degrees obtained in person. Now, that is no longer truly the case. The pandemic thus had a silver lining; it normalized online education. Many top universities offer high-quality degrees online that are cheaper than their in-person counterparts but provide the same degree. Georgia Tech’s OMSCS program is one of them, as is UIUC’s online MCS program. But be warned: they are every bit as challenging as their on-campus counterparts, and being online doesn’t make their content any less rigorous.
2. Lack of Motivation & Discipline
Without classmates physically around you, it can feel isolating and fruitless. You won’t find study partners as easily, and you might not have someone to celebrate with when you succeed. It’s also easy to get distracted and lose motivation. Nevertheless, there are ways around these. In terms of motivation, create a structured routine that works for you, and stick with it. That way, studying will become an ingrained habit. Also, if possible, try to find some sort of accountability partner. This could be a classmate, a significant other, or a close friend. If you’re a student struggling with motivation, having a coach or tutor from The Edge can make a significant difference.
3. Feeling Isolated
Online learning can feel lonely since you don’t have the same social interactions as in-person classes. However, many online programs have excellent resources for facilitating online relationships, and the global nature of their student bodies means that you likely have a few peers nearby. In fact, I participated in several meetup events with other MCIT students!
Being an online student comes with its challenges, but with the right mindset, structure, and support, you can absolutely excel and enjoy the benefits of such flexibility.
If you’re looking for expert guidance to navigate your online learning journey, whether it’s AP courses, test prep, or college applications, reach out to The Edge Consulting for a free Initial Meeting, with no obligation!
Need help preparing for your or your child’s US university application? Contact us today – we are happy to help!
About The Edge
Established in 2008, The Edge Learning Center has grown into a premier one-stop provider of educational services for Grade 7 through Grade 12, targeting students who intend to pursue overseas education. Our three departments – Academic Tutoring, Test Preparation, and Admissions Consulting – offer a broad range of educational services spanning from SAT and IB Test Prep to colleges and boarding schools application counseling. The Edge Learning Center operates in multiple regions including Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
