"WGU is the first university I’ve attended that uses a competency-based approach. I was used to having an instructor create a schedule for tests and assignments, so I was worried about pacing myself and staying on progress. When I started, I think I pushed myself a little too hard and tried to accelerate through my courses. When I couldn’t keep that up, I thought it meant that maybe I wasn't cut out for WGU. But then I talked to my program mentor, and she suggested creating a routine for myself for studying that was more manageable. I promised myself to study for even just 1-2 hours a day. Even though some days are really busy with other life challenges or when I hit a speed bump, sticking to a routine has helped me keep my progress going."

"WGU is the first university I’ve attended that uses a competency-based approach. It was really interesting to be in a program where I moved through the courses at my own pace instead of having a teacher tell me exactly what to do. Navigating everything through an online platform has been interesting, too. It took me some time to figure out how to best engage with my course and classmates, and where to go online if I had questions. It is definitely a different experience from when I was at an in-person school."

"I came to WGU with some credits from my community college, so I thought I was prepared for the certification that served as the assessment for my first course. Turns out, I ended up failing that first attempt. I remember being really hard on myself then. How was I going to get my degree if I couldn’t even pass my first assessment? I talked to my program mentor about it, and he told me that I definitely wasn’t the first student to fail an assessment. It can be hard to know exactly how to prepare when you’re trying to study on your own. He gave me some suggestions for what material to revisit, and I went back to my notes to figure out what I needed to concentrate on. It was pretty disappointing to fail that first assessment, but after some more studying, I was able to pass it a second time. Now, I am just a term away from getting my degree! I’m so glad I didn’t let that first failure stop my journey here at WGU. Even though it was disappointing, I think it helped me realize that I am really capable and that I deserve to be here."

"I came to WGU with some credits from my community college, so I thought I would fly through my courses here! The program turned out to be harder than I thought it would be, but it's been a fun challenge as I work through my courses. One of my coworkers is even enrolled in the same program, so it has been helpful walking through the courses with someone else. It has been exciting to apply what I've learned in my courses to my job and see real progress in my day-to-day work. I am excited to be graduating next term!"

"I knew that attending an online university meant that I probably wouldn’t interact with my classmates as much as I would if I were in person. Sometimes, it felt like I was on an island — just taking courses myself without knowing who else was out there. As my courses went on, I started to feel a little isolated. I had a really tough section in one of my courses, and it was hard not knowing if other people might be struggling with the material, too. I realized that connecting with the other students who were part of the WGU community would help me feel like we were on the same journey and feel less alone. I remembered my course instructor telling me about Course Chatter. For some reason, I hadn’t used it yet, but when I finally decided to log on, it was really helpful to see the questions and discussions that my classmates were having. It helped me realize that we were sharing some of the same struggles and could lean on each other for support."

"I knew that attending an online university meant that I probably wouldn’t interact with my classmates as much as I would if I were in person. Sometimes, it felt like I was on an island — just taking courses myself without knowing who else was out there. But I remembered my course instructor telling me about Course Chatter. For some reason, I hadn’t used it yet, but when I finally decided to log on, it was really helpful to see the questions and discussions that my classmates were having. Using it has helped me prepare better for my courses since I can log on and read about other students' questions in the course."

"When I came to WGU, I knew I didn’t necessarily need to make friends, but I did still want to connect with my classmates to network and pick other people’s brains about different opportunities in tech. I didn’t really know how to go about it, though. Most of my classes didn’t share emails of other students or have opportunities where we could all meet each other. Being so distant from my classmates made me question if I was cut out for tech. I didn’t really know people like me in tech careers. So I asked my program mentor if there were any spaces outside of just class where I could connect with other WGU students in the IT college. He told me that there was a Women in Tech student group and sent me the information on how to join. This club has been so helpful in connecting me to other students with the same career goals and interests. We’re able to learn about different avenues in IT and support each other through our courses. Even though I didn’t come to WGU to necessarily find a community, I have definitely found one with this group, and it has made my experience so much better!"

"When I came to WGU, I knew I didn’t necessarily need to make friends here, but I did still want to connect with my classmates to network and pick other people’s brains about different opportunities in tech. My program mentor recommended the Women in Tech student group and sent me the information on how to join. This club has been so helpful in connecting me to other students with the same career goals and interests. There are some other great student communities here at WGU, too. I would recommend other students check them out!"

"It can be easy to feel a little anonymous at WGU. It’s such a large university, and because it’s online and self-paced, it can sometimes feel like you’re alone on your learning journey. I thought I might be alone in thinking this way, but from reading posts on Reddit and the WGU Facebook group, I learned that other students felt the same way. One surprising thing that happened that helped me feel like I was part of a community was when I got a call from my course instructor one day congratulating me on receiving an ‘Excellence’ in one of my assessments! The fact that he took the time to reach out and call me personally really made me feel like someone was paying attention. My program mentor also looks out for me too, and knowing that there is a group of people who truly want to help me succeed has helped me feel less alone."

"It can be easy to feel a little anonymous at WGU. It’s such a large university, and everything being online can make it isolating too. What has really helped is the incredibly supportive staff. I remember my enrollment counselor being super helpful, especially when I had some difficulties with transferring credits, and the support has continued with my program mentor and course instructors."

"Even though I had experience in IT, I had never completed any of the certifications that we earn through the program. I was so nervous preparing for my first certification assessment since I had never taken anything like it before. I didn’t know if I could make it through the program. But after posting on my course’s Course Chatter and talking to other students in the virtual study groups that my course instructor set up, I realized that most people were feeling nervous about their first certification. And I learned that there are a ton of resources at WGU that can help you prepare — reaching out to my course instructor, checking the WGU website to see if there are any events related to time management or studying, talking with my program mentor, even finding tips on Reddit! Even now, I still get a little nervous leading up to a certification, but I know that it’s normal and that I really am prepared through using everything that WGU has to offer."

"I was working in a tech career but wanted to earn more certifications and a degree to move up in my department. A friend had told me about WGU and the flexibility it offered to people who were also working, so I decided to enroll. I was a little nervous about juggling my full-time work with school. I talked with my program mentor, though, and she was really great about recommending some strategies for scheduling my time well. We walked through the classes I was taking in the term and how to organize them so that it wouldn’t seem too overwhelming. I feel like I’m in a good rhythm now, where I can complete my course materials during longer breaks at work or during dedicated time after work."

“What seems to be most helpful is all of the student resources WGU has to offer. WGU understands each student will learn differently, and we need to ensure that we have proper communication and ask questions as they arise.”

“I feel like this is a very welcoming college where you have the resources and support to succeed. The faculty is always helpful.”

“No matter the anxieties or hesitations that one could feel, utilizing all of WGU's readily available resources to better prepare yourself is a MUST! Your program mentor, course instructor, and other classmates can be vital in your ability to learn, absorb, and put your abilities to the test to figure out what you are proficient in and what you might need more help with.”

“The stories shared earlier underscore the significance of embracing the self-paced environment at WGU and the autonomy it offers students. One common theme is the ability to proactively take on more classes and challenges at a pace that suits individual learning styles and comfort levels. It's evident that studying at one's own level and in a manner that feels most comfortable fosters a deeper understanding of the material and alleviates the anxiety often associated with traditional educational settings. This personalized approach empowers students to take control of their learning journey, allowing them to thrive in an environment that accommodates their unique needs and preferences.”