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).