The Leading Edge

All articles from Student Stories

  1. Distance Student Conducts Research in Financial Planning Field

    Where there’s money, there are often disagreements.

    Sarah Asebedo

    Sarah Asebedo

    Sarah Asebedo, Edina, Minn., a student in Kansas State University’s online personal financial planning Ph.D. program, wanted to examine the role of conflict resolution techniques in the financial planning field.

    As a financial planner with Accredited Investors, Inc. for nearly a decade, Asebedo advises clients through all aspects of their financial life, including career changes and retirement transitions. Major life transitions and money decisions typically cause disagreements between couples to surface throughout the financial planning process. Asebedo has found that she can utilize conflict resolution techniques as a third party to help couples see eye to eye and move forward.

    “Financial planning draws on elements of various disciplines and skills such as conflict resolution, communication, therapy, finance, psychology, economics, sociology and counseling,” Asebedo said. “The various disciplines need to be more fully integrated into practice, research and theory development to optimize financial planning recommendations and consumer decision making.”

    Asebedo’s doctoral program is the first of its kind in the nation to be offered primarily online. She says K-State faculty provide ongoing support and guidance to doctoral students throughout their research and publication process.

    “Conducting research while at a distance from Kansas State University is seamless with the technology and access to academic journals available through the university,” Asebedo said.

    In her latest research, Asebedo participated in a study with Jaime Blue and Dr. Sonya Britt. They found a preliminary link between an individual’s excessive work habits and reduced physical and mental well-being. The study, titled “Workaholism and Well-Being,” was published in Financial Planning Review.

    K-State also offers an online master’s degree and graduate certificate in personal financial planning. Learn more about personal financial planning programs.

    Posted In: Student Stories

  2. Work-School-Life Balance Tips from K-State Distance Students

    We know that our students are often juggling many responsibilities, so we went to Facebook to ask them what tips and advice they would give to students who may be struggling on how to best balance work, school and life.

    Organized Schedule

    It seems that most people rely on a good calendaring system to stay balanced.

    • A good desk calendar to keep track of due dates!
    • Keep a detailed planner and have a binder for each class. This will keep you from wasting time looking up assignment due dates and looking for course materials.
    • It is all about time management and keeping a daily planner. And of course sticking to it!
    • Keep a schedule! My color-coded calendar saved me!
    • Make a schedule of tasks.
    • I use a calendar too, but I also use lists. There’s nothing as satisfying as crossing things off a list!
    • I use the calendar on my iPad to keep due dates straight. Then I plan my week according to my due dates.
    • I use a Google calendar to plan out assignments. It also helps to make sure you schedule quiet time to get the reading done. Otherwise, you may never have the time to sit down and get it done!
    • Calendar, lists, notes and setting a schedule for each day and each task!
    • Everything is on a calendar.

    Time Management

    Many students also say that prioritizing your time is crucial.

    • Try to get things done early so you are not rushing to get them done at the last minute.
    • Plan ahead as much as possible.
    • Doing lectures/homework while the kids are at school or after they are in bed.
    • Don’t get behind. Set time aside to study daily.
    • I also try to focus on one task at a time. I end up working more efficiently in the end, and have extra time to spare!
    • Balance means being able to organize your time and plan for success. Know what needs to be done when so you will not miss a deadline or anything important.
    • Prioritize!
    • I barely balance work and life but I give it a try by taking one thing at a time.
    • I plan evenings to do homework…the same evenings that my husband goes to class. That way I know I have those days set aside for homework just like if I had to go to class.

    Personal Care

    One aspect of time management that some students say you can’t forget is taking care of yourself.

    • Good nutrition and adequate sleep.
    • And a trip to Varsity Donuts helps too!
    • Prioritize your assignments and still leave time for your family and self-care. If you don’t you get upside down fast.
    • Don’t forget to take time for yourself!
    • Take ME time!
    • Don’t forget to block out time for yourself!
    • I’m one of those people who can work for hours, so it’s important for me to “schedule” down time or I will just keep working.

    Strong Support System

    Others find that a good family support system is essential.

    • A very loving and supportive wife who is there to pick up the slack. Dedication and commitment to do well are the other things that helped me get through finals.
    • Constant communication with family. Having a supportive spouse is critical.

    Which of these strategies work for you? What additional tips do you have for balancing work, school and home? Leave a comment and let us know!

    Posted In: Student Stories

  3. Online Graduates Share Their Experiences

    Three graduates from the online Master of Science in Adult and Continuing Education program have shared insights into their online experiences, challenges and strategies in a series of videos. If you are finding online learning challenging or just want some additional motivation, listen to what some of our graduates have to say.

    We hope you find these helpful and informative!

    Posted In: Student Stories

  4. Academic Advising Distance Student Puts Her Learning Into Practice

    We’re excited to share with you the winner of our Distance Learning Essay Contest from National Distance Learning Week. Students were asked to answer the question, “How has distance learning at Kansas State University affected the way you are reaching your goals?” We had some amazing responses, and it was so much fun to read everyone’s stories. Kathleen O’Leary was chosen as the grand prize winner, and we hope you’re as inspired by her story as we are!

    My name is Kathleen O’Leary. I am a 49-year-old K-State graduate distance learning student pursuing an M.S. in Academic Advising. It’s been 20 years since I completed my B.A. degree, and I am excited to say that I’m more than halfway through my second semester in the master’s in academic advising program. I am learning a tremendous amount about the academic advising profession and am already applying everything I’ve learned. Online learning wasn’t an option when I was an undergraduate, so it’s been a positive learning experience for me. What a great way to earn a degree!

    I moved to Montana in 2010 and started working for a small, “grassroots” 2-year college in the Bitterroot Valley. The college was barely two years old, with approximately 100 students and two classrooms. I found myself in new territory and well outside of my comfort zone as far as my skills and background were concerned; however, playing a part in the birth of a brand-new college in a very rural community was and continues to be unbelievably exciting! 

    Impoverished, homeless, unemployed, single parent, recovering addict, abused, unprepared, elderly; these are common adjectives describing the “non-traditional” students to whom I serve as academic advisor. These are the students who have become my greatest passion. Never in my life have I seen such motivation, perseverance, willingness, invested effort to succeed and hope. These students have earned my greatest respect as well as my commitment to provide them with the highest quality of service and advising that I am able. 

    Kansas State University’s distance education program is providing me with the quality education, tools, knowledge, confidence and understanding necessary to empower me to be the academic advisor that our students need and deserve for a positive and successful college experience. Best decision I’ve ever made!

    Posted In: Events,Student Stories

  5. Strategic Study: Distance Student Stays the Course

    Marci Bunn, Gainesville, Fla., a Kansas State University distance education student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in general business, first started college on campus in 1999 as an accounting student. But she discovered she needed a different path to help her complete the degree.

    “Online courses were just developing in 1999 and I suppose that had always been in the back of my mind,” Bunn said. “When I came to a time in my life when I was ready to complete my degree, K-State was my first choice. I headed to the website and found we had come a long way and that I would be able to complete exactly what I needed.”

    Bunn got a job working part time at the Kansas State University Foundation in the internal operations department, where she developed an interest in business. Now with a full workload at her current job at Strategic Veterinary Consulting, Bunn’s schedule is hardly predictable.

    “One thing is consistent — I’m very busy,” she said. “There are some weeks my phone rarely stops ringing and other weeks where I’m buried in the financials of our clients. Time management is of the utmost importance. With online classes, I can choose the times I work on school, which means I can focus on quality time, not just quantity.”

    Bunn’s desire to earn her degree goes beyond just receiving her diploma. By working at Strategic Veterinary Consulting, Bunn is able to “bridge the gap,” as she likes to call it, between the medical world that her veterinarian clients are trained for and the business side of owning a practice.

    “I think it’s a rare privilege to offer such tangible and immediate help to others in the business world. Of course, along with great privilege comes great responsibility, so I’m constantly working to keep my skills sharp and to ensure my coaching is exactly on target,” Bunn said.

    She has been able to sharpen those skills with the guidance of her Kansas State University adviser Rachel Schafer and professors such as Chwen Sheu, professor and head of the university’s department of management, who teaches classes that directly correlate to aspects of her job.

    “I have been able to complete courses that have made an immediate impact on my business performance, and there have been courses that I could apply directly to a project I was completing at that time,” she said. “While we all have our own journeys and complete our education differently, I can say I have found it an advantage to complete my degree now, as I’m able to put what I learn into action immediately.”

    Additionally, Bunn has received further support and guidance from Jon Davis, an executive mentor whom she was paired with as part of the Kansas State University College of Business Administration’s Business Executive Mentor Program. The program, which is only available to students in the college, acts as a liaison between students and professionals. The executive mentors provide feedback and act as guides in developing the skills to be successful in the workplace.

    “In just the past few months, Jon has helped me build a major presentation, work through class issues and has been a sounding board for the next steps in my career,” Bunn said. “I believe the mentor program offers an invaluable opportunity.”

    Of course, no college experience would be complete without a bit of school pride.

    “I brag about Kansas State University to just about anyone who will listen,” Bunn said. “I have friends and colleagues pursuing degrees and certificates through other universities, and I’m constantly hearing stories of disengaged professors, poor student involvement and general lack of care from the universities. K-State is the absolute opposite.”

    With her true career passion established and the finish line in sight, Bunn is on course to graduate in 2014.

    “I’m hoping to fly back to Manhattan to walk at graduation. I cannot express what it will mean to complete what I started,” she said.

    Posted In: Student Stories

  6. Now Playing

    The Kansas State University Division of Continuing Education (DCE) now has its own YouTube page! The page will be used to communicate YOUR stories and YOUR excitement of being part of K-State with the rest of our distance education family.

    DCE has also completed work on two new commercials—one for our recently launched Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA) degree and another for distance education titled “Rewind.” You can catch the PMBA commercial, all of our student stories and—in a few weeks—the new distance education commercial on our YouTube page.

    If you would like to share your K-State distance education story, please contact Matt Blomberg at mblom@k-state.edu.

    Posted In: Student Stories

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