My Experience as an Online English Student

by Katharine Dover

I had already been a full-time community college student for two years when I decided to switch to online classes so I could pursue a career and degree simultaneously. At the time, I struggled to balance work and school because there weren’t many options available for English majors to take night courses, and becoming an online student felt like the only way I could reliably manage my time. It was not an easy decision in my early twenties because I loved campus life and didn’t want to feel isolated from my peers as I pursued my education. However, the reality was that I couldn’t afford to make the financial sacrifices necessary to have my dream college experience.

At first, only one other person in my life had experience with online courses. Everyone encouraged me, but most of my peers in the workplace already had their degree, and the only time I came into contact with other online students was when I participated in online class discussions. Overall, it was not a bad experience, but it definitely wasn’t an inclusive experience. 

When I finished my Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree and began researching bachelor’s degree programs, one of the primary things I looked for was how developed the online program was and how much support was available for online students. I remember being immediately impressed with the variety of classes available at Eastern Oregon University for people like me. The admissions team and my academic advisor were also proactive about checking in with me and making sure I was aware of all available resources, such as access to tutoring and mental health counseling, as well as financial resources and online library access. My advisor helped me plan classes based on difficulty so I wouldn’t feel too overwhelmed during my employer’s busy season, and when I transitioned from an English major to Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in English and Business, she helped me research the effect such a change would have on my courses. And finally, when I had to take a couple terms off for personal reasons, she didn’t shame me for giving up and checked in with me to make sure I didn’t accidentally lose my status as an active student. Her encouragement is one of the reasons I worked up the strength to come back and finish my senior year.

In addition to academic resources, I’ve also felt impressed by how much EOU tries to include online students in its cultural programs and practicum opportunities. For instance, the 2025 Hispanic Film Festival offered online access for students to watch meaningful documentaries and movies about the Hispanic experience in America. There are also multiple programs, such as the Oregon East practicum, that offer valuable remote work experience in exchange for credit. I was particularly excited to participate in the Oregon East Release Gala through the live broadcast and celebrate the journal’s 75th anniversary with on-campus students. As an online student at EOU, I feel seen and heard as an individual, and I feel more connected to the school as a community, not just as a transactional experience.

With EOU, I have never felt limited as to what I could learn from a distance, and the process of remote learning helped me take ownership of my literature studies in ways that will benefit me after my degree is finished. In my experience, something about my mindset shifted when I moved from an in-person to an online format and my kitchen table became my classroom. Although I still struggle to focus at home from time to time, I forced myself to see my home as a space for learning and sharing knowledge. Distractions were just challenges to be overcome through organization and adjustments to my environment. I learned how to set healthy boundaries with friends and family that prioritized my class and homework schedule, and I created a designated place where I could do my work without distractions in sight. Focus and dedication are skills that in-person classes also require for success, but they became even more important when I had to create them for myself instead of utilizing the spaces available on campus. 

Over the years, I’ve also accumulated more connections with others in my local area who have chosen to pursue online courses through a variety of schools, both local and far away, and I love that we formed a small support group for ourselves to encourage each other in our pursuit of education. In a post-COVID world where remote work and education are now common, I no longer feel alone. Online education is not a one-size fits all solution to educational challenges, and students who want to attend in-person classes should do so to the best of their ability. But online education is here to stay, and we are a part of the college community too, even if you can’t see us. I’m graduating with my bachelor’s degree this spring after years of hard work and perseverance, and I’ve never set foot on the EOU campus. But planning my graduation trip to participate in the commencement ceremony feels like planning a trip to visit old friends, to visit home.