Back to School, Back to School – It’s Easy Online

Nancy McKenzie is living out her dream. She’ll tell you at any age anything is possible.

McKenzie says, “It’s official.”

This Rhinelander mother of two recently graduated from the University of Phoenix with high honors.

McKenzie says, “After he handed me the actual diploma and I walked back down the stairs it was amazing, I knew I had finally finished.”

It’s a bittersweet journey she started 24 years ago at the University of Stevens Point. With only 9 credits to go – the work force was calling her name.

McKenzie says, “I’m kind of doing it backwards. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do when I grow up. It took me a litte longer.”

But 18 months ago she took charge. Nancy joined thousands of others who want to go back to school but can’t quit their current jobs and signed up online to complete her degree.

McKenzie says, “School can work itself into your life. You don’t have to work your life around school. It’s convenience.”

But she’ll tell you it’s not always easy.

McKenzie says, “It got to the point of what can I give up?”

For more than a year and half she cracked open her book – or we’ll say laptop – seven days a week for three to four hours a day.

The traditional face to face student teacher contact isn’t totally lost in cyber space. Nancy says there’s always a student or teacher ready to help somewhere beyond this screen.

McKenzie says, “It would be like someone raising their hand in the classroom and answering a question only you just don’t see them raising their hand. That’s the only difference.”

With family watching her cross this stage it only seems fitting now to reminisce by watching her dreams come true online.

McKenzie says, “For a lesson for my two children I wanted them to see that at no matter what age when you start something you can always finish it.”

McKenzie says she’s planning on going back to get her masters online.

Thank you to WJFW Channel 12 for this original post.