Overcoming Fears and Making Time for What Matters

When April Reynolds was just shy of 24 months she had to have heart surgery. She had what is called Patent Ductus Arteriosus or PDA. It’s a heart problem that can occur after some babies are born. “There is a vessel that connects the aorta and the pulmonary artery and it is called ductus arteriosus. This vessel is an important part of the blood circulation in the womb and is suppose to close shortly after or within days of the birth of a child. Well, mine did not; it remained open, letting too much blood into the heart, which made the heart work harder than it should,” April explains. She had surgery to correct the issue. Fortunately, everything worked out in the end.  Now April now lives in Broomfield, Colorado and is married to a supportive husband. She is also about to be the first one in her family to graduate from college.

The Decision to Go Online

April is currently earning her Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management. She started her higher education experience at another school when her work schedule became an issue for the classes.

“It was actually my husband who suggested I look into CSU Global since all the classes are online,” says April. “I just go to class when it works for me. Plus, the tuition doesn’t change as long as I’m actively enrolled which is great because I always know what my budget is going to be from month to month.”

In the beginning, she feared she wasn’t smart enough to do this. She says she actually didn’t know how intelligent she was or what she was capable of until she went back to school.

She says another challenge is time management, but she’s making it work. When she gets home from her job, she takes some time to relax. Then she opens up her laptop and dedicates almost two hours each night for posts and research.

“Really – the bottom line is, anytime, anywhere! I can log on wherever I have a WIFI connection,” she explains.

While she’s in school, she says her husband supports her by helping around the house and that it makes the work/school balance more manageable.

Learning about Herself

So far April says the education has been far greater than what she has previously encountered. She says she’s learned so much more and pushed herself harder at CSU Global than at any other educational institution.

For instance, she says she has never been one to write a well thought out and articulate paper. However, since she started taking classes with CSU Global she finds herself getting better and better every day. She’s able to put more thought into the content that goes into her papers and it shows in her grades. She’s earning all A’s and B’s.

She says the course work is challenging, but she likes that. While she is currently working in the same field that she is earning her degree in, it has still enhanced her knowledge of Human Resources. The information that she’s learning helps her understand the dynamics of HR and to recognize the reasons behind different policies, laws and even why people do what they do.

“I also really appreciate my instructors,” says April. “They really take the time to help my classmates and I understand the concepts they are teaching. They make a point to help us succeed in whatever we’re after. “

She hopes to be able to move into a human resource business partner role and gain more experience there once she has earned her degree. She also wants to get her PHR and SPHR certification.

She enjoys the pace of the 8 week classes, saying it allows her to complete four classes in 16 weeks as opposed to completing only two.

Then there is her outstanding support team. She has never had a delay in her communication with them. They are always ready to help her with questions and concerns. Her student advisor, Jackie, makes her feel like she’s the only student she supports, which she says she know is not the case, but Jackie just puts that personal touch into every communication.

April’s Advice

She says she would tell anyone who is thinking about going back to school online, take one class at a time until you feel that you have a grasp on how things function. That’s how she started and now she is up to taking two classes. It is still a lot with work; however, as you find your way of managing the time, it becomes easier. She tells people all the time how excited she is to be attending CSU Global and to be graduating in September. The flexibility and freedom it gives her as well as the knowledge and skills she has acquired thus far are invaluable.

She says CSU Global has made her goal of being the first in her family to obtain a degree much more reachable, and she’s so proud to be here.