Current occupation: High School English/Film Teacher
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
Pursuing another master’s degree years after the last one and years into being established in my career was a decision I made, not only on a professional level — as it will help me develop my curriculum further to better serve my own students — but also on a personal level. I always want to challenge myself, mentally and intellectually, to stay sharp and continue to grow and learn as both a teacher and a student.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
As a full-time high school teacher, it is nearly impossible to find the time to go to a physical campus and acquire a master’s degree in person, but enrolling in an online program is much more feasible. While doing research on online master’s programs, I found Tiffin University’s MH in Film Studies to be exactly what I was looking for in terms of the rigor and validity of the courses, the convenience and accessibility of the materials, and the affordability of the program.
Describe your experience with the program so far.
So far, the program has far exceeded my expectations. I was pleasantly surprised by how uncomplicated and accessible everything has been, from the application process all the way to taking the actual classes. The TU Self-Service portal, as well as Moodle — TU’s Learning Management System — are easy to navigate, which certainly helps remove the anxiety and stress of being enrolled in a master’s program.
Describe your experience with your cohort and faculty?
I truly believe that, for better or for worse, someone’s education is greatly affected by the teachers and instructors they encounter, as well as the classmates that surround them along the way. My interactions with the faculty and cohort in my program have thus far been extremely positive, inspiring, and exciting. The instructors are approachable, responsive, and genuinely willing and happy to help. They are all very knowledgeable and have gone above and beyond to make sure their students are successful, especially in an online setting. As for my cohort, since we are all on the same journey, we understand each other’s goals and struggles, so being on the same page has been comforting and encouraging.
How are you juggling work, life, and going back to school? Any tips?
Time management is crucial for anyone pursuing a higher degree, but especially for those who are also working professionals. Sometimes it feels impossible to get through the week, but the way TU’s online program is organized makes it manageable because of its consistency in structure and expectations. A helpful tip for someone who may be apprehensive about being able to get through it is to plan ahead and stick to that plan. More often than not, the anxiety of feeling as though there’s too much to do can be alleviated when habits and routines are established.
What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?
If I’m being honest, there have been times when I was just ready to give up. But each time I had those moments, I remind myself that the eternal sense of pride in achieving my goal is going to be so much more satisfying than this fleeting moment of relief.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
My advice for prospective students thinking about going back to school is to do as much research as possible about the program they want to get into and the degree they wish to pursue. Moreover, I advise them to really recognize and believe in the purpose and intent of pursuing their chosen degree, professionally and personally. Understanding the expectations of the journey is crucial to reaching the ultimate destination.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
I don’t really consider myself a risk taker, at least not in the sense of going into things blindly or haphazardly putting things on the line. I tend to take the surest path to reach my goals or attain my wants and needs in life. But I have always been someone who is very independent and someone who has never really cared about what others think of me. And so, in that regard, I have carved my own path in life; one that works for me, regardless if it’s the non-traditional or arduous way to get to where I’m going. So, I don’t particularly have one clear example of a time when I took a risk and gained something from it. As most people have, I think I have taken many risks, great and small, in my day-to-day life that got me to where I am today, whether that’s taking a risk in pursuing a degree in education and applying for a teaching position which I have occupied for 17 years now, or marrying someone and recently celebrating a decade together, or even cutting my bangs and realizing it doesn’t suit my face and so in the future I may be wise enough not to do it again. Ultimately, I think the most important thing one can gain from taking a risk is the lesson learned along the way. You can never be sure of how things will turn out, especially when taking a risk, but having the courage to try should never be regrettable.