Online Student Survival Guide

Archive for the ‘Welcome!’ Category

Lifetime Televsion Features WGU

admin on August 23, 2010

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Western Governors University was recently featured on Lifetime Television’s The Balancing Act. Orleatha Smith, a WGU Teacher College Graduate, shared her story on why WGU works for busy adults that are interested in getting an online teaching degree.

To learn more about WGU and to watch the full segment, click here.

Excellence in Teaching

WGU on March 25, 2010

Congrats to WGU graduate  Nikki Skinner!

She received the Texas Medical Association’s 2010 Ernest and Sarah Butler Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.  Read more about Nikki Skinner and her outstanding recognition.

Do You Tweet?

WGU on March 10, 2010

We sure do!

Follow us on Twitter @wgu

Ask to be added to our student list!


WGU Offers Scholarship Through Video Contest

WGU on July 1, 2008

Do you or someone you know deserve a scholarship to Western Governors University ? Submit a video telling us how a degree from WGU could improve your life or the life of someone you know for a chance to win a scholarship at WGU. Earning a college degree can be a life-changing experience. In many cases, a little help financially can go a long way towards achieving this goal. Beginning June 11, 2008, you can submit your video. The polls will be open to the public for voting from August 25, 2008 – September 1, 2008. The winner will be announced on September 3, 2008 and will receive a $7,500 scholarship and $500. Other prizes include scholarships up to $3,000 and $100 Amazon.com gift certificates. Current students and alumni looking to return to WGU for their master’s degree are eligible to participate. For more information, submissions or to vote, please visit www.wgu.edu/contest .

Hello Online Students Everywhere!

WGU on May 19, 2008

You’re reading the first installment of the Online Student Survival Guide, sponsored by Western Governors University (WGU).  While WGU is the sponsor, this blog is for online college students from any online university or college and for those who are thinking about pursuing an online degree.

You are a very, very diverse group.  You’re young …and not so young. (At WGU our oldest degree-seeking student is 76!) You live in every state in the U.S. and in many foreign countries too.  You live in rural areas where there aren’t many college options. And you live in urban areas, going to college online even though a regular college is just down the street! Some of you are new to college, while many of you are finally returning to school to finish that degree you’ve always wanted, either your first degree or an online graduate degree.  Many of you are seeking to become the first person in your family to earn a college degree.

So let’s celebrate together and help each other too.  Despite what some people think, getting a degree online isn’t “easy,” at least not if the online program is worth its salt.

The Online Student Survival Guide is for you and about you. You’ll read great postings about the practical challenges of not just surviving but thriving as an online student. The topics will cover such things as –

  • Adjusting to online learning
  • Staying motivated
  • Family support
  • Getting your life organized
  • Tricks for saving time!
  • Staying physically (and mentally) healthy
  • Balancing work, school, and family
  • And a whole lot more

The regular bloggers you’ll get to know here are smart, sensitive, experienced, and determined to help online students everywhere. While their postings will be based upon their personal experience and knowledge of what others face, they’ll focus on topics and ideas you’ll readily relate to. In fact,  you’re invited to add your comments, ideas, and helpful tips for other online students.

At WGU, where we emphasize mentoring students to help them succeed, we like to think, not “you can do it,”  but instead “you will do it!”

We hope you’ll join the community of “succeeders” and make the Online Student Survival Guide a regular part of your commitment to finish your education online! 

Again, welcome!

Patrick Partridge

Vice President

Western Governors University