Every service member has a unique reason for enlisting, and most are proud of the opportunity they have to protect their country. Still, many service members strive to find the balance between their current duties and the life they hope to lead outside of the military — which can include pursuing higher education while actively serving.
Fortunately, the availability of online education makes it easier for active-duty service members to gain valuable credentials, including an entire degree. Online education allows service members to engage with coursework anywhere and anytime, giving them more flexibility to complete their military duties while working toward their education. Here are a few tips to help service members survive and thrive in courses during active duty.
Choose Military-friendly Schools and Programs
Some institutions of higher education are more welcoming of active-duty service members than others. It is worth noting that no school will be outright rude to military students, but many put extra time and energy into developing resources and programs that help active-duty service members thrive in the academic setting. Some indications of a military-friendly college include the following:
Additional financial support for military students. Some schools offer financial aid beyond the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can take the form of scholarships, tuition discounts, fee waivers, and more.
A thriving community of military students. A larger community of active-duty service members and veterans will compel a school to provide better support to these students.
Targeted academic assistance for military students. Schools may have academic advisors, tutors, and other academic support personnel who are dedicated to serving only military students.
Schools that put more effort into welcoming active-duty service members will have more resources to assist these students in balancing their responsibilities in school and the military. Staff will be more understanding of the unique circumstances of their military students, and thus, students will find it easier to fit their coursework into their service duties.
To find military-friendly colleges, students might talk to fellow service members seeking degrees. The web is also a good resource for finding schools with military-friendly reputations. Once a student identifies a potential college, like UAGC, military students might review available programs that suit their interests and passions.
Create a Visual Schedule of Duties and Courses
Too many service members try to hold all the information about their schedules in their heads — and then they find themselves missing deadlines, skipping key duties, and otherwise falling behind in all their academic and service commitments. When time is such a tightly controlled resource, as it is for active-duty service members, it makes sense to outsource one’s memory of scheduled events.
Before the start of the school semester, service members should sit down and create a weekly schedule. The schedule should clearly block off days and times when service members will be on duty, and it should include time for engaging with lectures, completing assignments, studying course materials, and meeting with study group members. Service members might also want to use a calendar to mark the due dates of larger assignments or important exams, which will be available once the semester begins. This visual schedule should help service members stay on top of their various responsibilities and prioritize activities for the day, week, and semester.
Build a Support Network of Service Members and Students
No student survives and thrives in higher education without a strong network of support. Traditional students receive support from their family and friends, fellow classmates, academic advisors, and perhaps from coworkers and colleagues if they are balancing school and work. Likewise, service members need to seek out support from anyone who can help them find success in their military duties and academics.
Service members might seek out connections with fellow service members pursuing degrees while on active duty. Support can be even more effective if these students are working toward similar credentials or taking the same courses. Additionally, service members might form strong bonds with their fellows on active duty, who may be able to pick up their slack during more stressful periods of their academic semester. Finally, service members should lean heavily on their families, who will need to assume greater responsibility for the child and home care as service members balance active duty and higher education.
Don’t Rush to Complete a Degree
As tempting as it might be to enroll in as many credit hours as possible to earn a degree in fewer months, doing so will put undue stress on a service member who is already pressed for time and energy. Service members might start by taking a single course and increasing their academic workload as they become more comfortable with the balance between school and active duty.
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