Desirae Weatherby avoided starting college for a long time due to a lack of self-confidence and reticence about participating in class. She explains, “I am pretty shy. I had a horrible time in high school. The campus was very overwhelming to me, and in a traditional classroom setting it was very hard for me to speak up and ask for help.”
Last year, Desirae’s mom suggested that she investigate online learning through Amador College Connect. Desirae signed up to attend Foothill College online to complete her general education requirements for an A.A. degree. Now, a year later, Desirae has successfully completed many online units at Foothill and will transfer in August to Coastline Community College online to pursue her certification in Substance Abuse Counseling.
Desirae likes online learning better and particularly appreciates being able to use email to communicate with her professors. She was initially surprised at how fast they got back to her.
“Personally, I feel like I am learning a lot more online than I would be in a classroom. All of my instructors have been amazing!”
Desirae has not had to ask for any formal accommodations, but she has not hesitated to reach out to seek clarification on course content or class requirements. The instructors “are so easy to work with…they want to help you and see you reach your goals. Any confusion is easily and quickly answered.”
Desirae has enjoyed her online classes and is now a confident participant in online courses. Her success at Foothill Community College has restored her confidence in the intellectual abilities she knew she had but which tended to lock up in traditional classroom settings.
