I Graduated from the University of Central Florida as a Single Mom Without Stepping on Campus

I started college in the Fall of 2005. But after earning my Associate’s degree, I moved and pressed pause on my education.

By the time I was ready to return to my bachelor’s degree, several years later, I was a single mom with a two-year-old son. Attending in-person classes full-time was going to be a challenge, but I wanted to find a way.

I finally earned my Bachelor’s degree by 2017, twelve years after my Associate’s degree. It took me a long time, but I’m glad I went back to school and to one that matched my single-parent needs.

Why I Chose the University of Central Florida

I wanted to major in English, so I researched every school in my area that offered an English program. I checked their websites and called each school counselor. My top two options were a community college and a nearby public university, the University of Central Florida (UCF).

I needed to get a job after I graduated. So, before committing to the school, I asked the counselor at UCF what jobs I could get after an English degree from their program. They informed me that graduates had found jobs as office managers, librarians, and teachers.

I wanted to teach English, so I knew the program would help me achieve that. The program consisted of 16 higher-level English classes, predominantly literature studies, along with assignments, quizzes, and learning resources.

The application process was straightforward, too. I filled out the forms online and contacted my high school and previous college for my transcripts. Within two weeks, I received an acceptance letter from UCF and was able to enroll in classes.

The Ease of Getting Financial Aid

Once I had been accepted, my next step was figuring out how to pay tuition. I filled out a Federal Student Aid form, or FAFSA, at the beginning of that year. Since I was a single mom and had a dependent, I qualified for financial aid, even though previously, as a single adult, I had not.

To receive financial aid, I had to take four classes per semester for two years, without a break. Four were in the Fall and four in the Spring. It would have been easier to manage fewer classes per semester as a full-time parent, but I wouldn’t have been able to pay for that without financial aid.

For two years, I studied at night after my son would go to sleep, after 8 pm. Those late nights were tough, but I had my degree and job as motivation.

Studying the Rigorous yet Flexible Curriculum

The best part about taking online classes was the flexibility. I was able to design my learning schedule around other responsibilities. For example, if my son got sick and I fell behind, I could manage the lessons and my tasks and catch up later. Other times, when things were smooth, I could even get ahead in the coursework.

My classes were accessible through a student portal, where I could see all of my upcoming due dates or teacher announcements easily. I could browse through the resources, such as upcoming lessons, that the professor posted. Most of the professors offered lectures through video recordings, while others posted readings and slideshows.

We worked on group assignments virtually. We usually wrote essays on literature analysis, and had quizzes on the required readings. We would also engage in graded group discussions with our peers, which were built into the lessons. In these ways, I interacted more with my classmates than I think I would have in person.

My professors were always available by phone or email for questions or clarifications, though I rarely needed to contact them. Since the grades could be delivered digitally, we got prompt feedback on the assignments. Overall, the classes were easy to navigate, and if I ever needed help, my teachers were always there.

Getting Job Support

After graduation, I did end up becoming a teacher, but not right away.

My guidance counselor at UCF gave me the detailed steps I needed to take to become a certified teacher in Florida. Once I passed those teaching certification tests, I applied for positions with the local school board.

I taught middle and high school English in my community for six years before transitioning to full-time writing last year.

Finishing my degree is one of the best things I’ve done as a mom. When I graduated, my family took me out to dinner to celebrate. They thought it was a huge accomplishment, especially since my plate was already full with a baby and part-time work.

Without the flexibility of online learning that UCF offered, it would have been far more difficult to attend school. The education I received during the program and the support from my professors and counselors helped me immensely in achieving my goals of becoming a teacher and then a writer.

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