NorthStar Academy alumna Morgan Raines shares what it was like to be a student at NSA and how the skills she acquired helped to prepare her for college. Hear her share about traveling to over 17 countries while she completed her courses and the leadership opportunities she’s had in college because of the experience she had at NSA!

Show Notes:

8:20 – I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel to 17 countries and I’m only 20 years old.

10:30 – When we were first overseas, I attended an International High School and then it closed. My mom found NorthStar when searching for an accredited school.

12:33 – I was doing an Enriched Virtual Course (EVP) and on a live session. I had to rejoin the call because we were traveling through a tunnel and I lost signal, but I was still able to do school while we were traveling.

12:55 – I was still able to do school even though we were traveling all over the place.

13:44 – Your calendar is your best friend if you are an online student.

13:50 – You get to choose your schedule when taking courses at NSA. You can choose when you want to do school and when you don’t.

14:24 – Writing all of my assignments for the week on a calendar ended up really helping me with time management.

14:43 – This has helped me manage my college classes now because I can manage my time better because of the skills that I learned from high school.

15:06 – I was never afraid to talk to my teachers in high school. Shoot them an email or arrange a Skype call and that has really helped me in college to be able to talk to my professors.

20:00 – Living in an RV helped put into perspective what you truly need versus what society tells you that you need to have a good life.

20:15 – You can live off so much less stuff that what typical America claims.

21:00 – Tell us a little about the social aspect and Student Council and all the things you can get involved in.

21:25 – You can get to know other students through Microsoft Teams

21:32 – I have made some of my best friends through NSA.

21:46 – NSA has all different types of clubs and ways to connect with people who are interested in the same things as you.

• Creative writing clubs
• Chess clubs
• Gaming clubs

23:18 – I was able to learn so many different leadership, administrative and communication skills by being in the student council. These things have helped me in college as well.

23:52 – Serving on the student council, you are able to serve the student body and your team members in a way that is super reflective of Christ.

25:17 – Not only has student council allowed me to interact with adults in a mature manner, it has helped me interact with my friends and make new friends.

26:22 – Because of my leadership experience in student council in high school, I have been asked to be in leadership roles in college.

28:08 – Top things that help make you a successful online student:

• Communicate with your teachers. Get to know them, reach out and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Communicate with your parents. If you are struggling with time management or pacing, let them help you
• Communicate with fellow students. A lot of students are going through the same things you are. NSA has a huge community and it’s there for you to rally around each other.

30:38 – Would you recommend an online education for those who want to go to college?

I am much more prepared to teach myself if I don’t quite understand what’s going on in class. Or when my fellow classmates are struggling with time management, I’m not. I learned that while I was at NSA.

33:55 – Don’t forget that God placed you in your community for a reason.