The Fast-Paced Nature of my University of Phoenix Experience

I've recently learned an important lesson through my University of Phoenix education: DO NOT allow yourself to get behind in a class.

Having started the second week of my current class (Com 200) right after the holidays, I, admittedly, wasn't completely prepared to get back into the swing of things.  This was definitely not a good thing, as UoP classes fit quite a bit of information and lessons into a one week period.  And as someone who works two jobs while going to school full time, catching back up has been difficult.

However, even before the start of this class, apprehension was already setting in regarding the speed of each course.  I often find it difficult to go back and review certain concepts that I learned in a previous week because I have so much to do now.  This is unfortunate for me, as I'm trying to become as knowledgeable about my career field as possible.  I want to make sure that I get this right.  And there are people (especially parents) who have an even busier schedule than me, which is saying something.

Since getting behind, I have found myself reading a previous week's material as a new week begins, which, of course, sets me back from that week.  The result is a struggle that fills me with even more anxiety than what I previously experienced with University of Phoenix's fast-paced curriculum.  I'm absorbing even less information and feeling more stressed in the process.

Honestly, I know that I could do better with improved time management (and now see why that was such a heavy focus in my first class).  However, life happens at times, and recovering from both a difficult event and lost study time can be challenging.  Thankfully, this hasn't yet been the case for me, I just simply made the mistake of trying to have a social life while going to school and working two jobs.

The University of Phoenix is aware of its fast-paced experience and offers something along the lines of consolation.  Assignments can be turned in late, but there is a catch (actually, more than 1).  For each day late that an assignment is turned in, it results in an automatic reduction of 10-20% of the overall grade each day past the deadline (the percentage sometimes depends upon the instructor).  If an assignment is more than two days late, it won't be accepted at all.  As I learned the hard way, this is true even if you stay up really late that last night before getting up early to work, only to find that you forgot to submit it for that week.  No exceptions, not even computer or power failure.  Oh, and if you turn it in at all after the final week has ended, there is no grace period.  The days are measured in Phoenix time, so that gives those of us living on the east coast a little more leeway (at the expense of lost sleep).

Returning After a Break from my University of Phoenix Experience

Today was the first day of class after the University of Phoenix winter break.  As with most schools, this encompassed the weeks of Christmas and New Years.  Just before the break, I stopped by my local campus, hoping to take at least some classes on campus.  The good news, according, to my student adviser, is that students actually can switch between a traditional and online class between each one.  He also told me that while the local campus does not offer my concentration classes (journalism), they do offer classes in my broad degree (communication).  Unfortunately, I was told that this was actually not the case when visiting the Atlanta campus.  Needless to say, this information should always be verified with personnel at the actual campus.

On the brighter side, my current University of Phoenix class (Comm 200) is offering access to a wealth of knowledge relating to the coursework.  This does add a strain to an already busy schedule.  Fortunately, access to course materials are not limited to their given week.  In fact, I am still able to access all of the materials for each class I've completed so far (not entirely sure how long this will last).

Just before the break, I also completed my English proficiency exam.  This is an aspect of the University of Phoenix experience that students should only have to complete if they are transferring from another school after several years.  Like a similar math exam, it will determine whether I need to take an additional English course.  It consisted of a multiple choice test and an essay.  An intuitive tutorial in the Center for Writing Excellence helped me prepare.  I scored well on the multiple choice portion and actually achieved "distinguished" (the highest rating) for each category of the essay.  I'm not sure if it is cause for celebration of my writing skills or a red flag of concern for lax grading requirements, but it did prevent me from taking another English course.  So either way, I'm happy.