Three reasons online school worked for me
By Abigail Selby, a California Virtual Academies alumni
At the end of my junior year in high school, I was looking to get a head start on my college degree. However, when my school prevented me taking classes at the local junior college, I knew it was time to explore other options.
1) I received support
Going into my senior year, I decided to enroll in California Virtual Academies (CAVA) so I could work and study from home. This enabled me to not only study on my own time, but also made it easier to enroll in part-time classes at my local college. It felt safe, it felt natural, and it felt like the right decision to move forward in my life.
2) My schedule was up to me
Working my school responsibilities into a schedule that worked for me allowed more time for my outside hobbies. I pursued art, baking, and cooking, as well as making dinner for my family in the evenings. Previously I had spent over an hour commuting each way, and with the ease of working from my own home, I found free time to not only make dinner and participate in hobbies, but also finish homework and go to bed earlier.
3) My career was jumpstarted
After graduating in 2017 with several college credits, I completed a vocational certificate as a Veterinary Technician at Santa Rosa Junior College in 2020, as well as earned two Associate degrees for Transfer in English and Humanities in 2021. I transferred last fall to a college where I won an award and medallion for my student leadership and community involvement. I worked as a peer career coach on-campus and am excited to take my experiences from these opportunities as I finish my Bachelor’s of Arts in Creative Writing, and pursue my Masters. I am thankful for the experience I gained in high school which helped me prepare for college and everything the following years would entail.
Overall, I found an environment that worked incredibly well for me, and I was able to take charge of my schedule as a senior in high school through CAVA. My chance to pursue hobbies and develop time management skills have greatly contributed to my accomplishments today. I encourage students in a similar position to explore online school, and hope they have the same support and success that I did.
Abigail Selby is currently a student living in the Santa Rosa area and pursuing a career in Creative Writing.
To learn more about California Virtual Academies, visit https://cava.k12.com/.
