After serving in the military, Jeremy Johns was ready to go back to school and had his eyes set on the University of Georgia. He was on track to transfer from Georgia Perimeter College to finish up his undergraduate degree in business at UGA. But when he was offered a job in Texas, Johns decided to complete his degree online at UGA. As a pipeline controller with unconventional shift times and a father of two, Johns felt an online degree program would give him the flexibility and learning experience that he needed. Johns is now about a year away from finishing his online Bachelor of Business Administration program.

UGA Online Learning: How has your experience as a student veteran been? Do you think you have a different experience from other students, or other peers of yours in the BBA program?

Jeremy Johns: There’s not really that much interaction between classmates in my opinion, unless you’ve had a class that you do group work in. A lot of it is pretty individual. 

UGA: Have you been able to create relationships with fellow students?

JJ: There’s been a couple classes with group work and I’ve noticed a couple people that are on the same path that I am. It’s really structured as far as what classes UGA allows you to take, so I see a lot of the same people in my classes. When we do discussions online and stuff like that, I’ll say hello to a few people every once in awhile.

UGA: What did you find to be the most challenging about taking online classes versus traditional classes?

JJ: It’s a change of mindset compared to a physical class. You’re doing a lot more of the actual learning on your own, because you’re having to read a lot more.

UGA: Some teachers say that they get more one-on-one time and interaction with their online students since they have to communicate, rather than their traditional students. Has this proven true for you?

JJ: Because it’s online, when you do interact with a professor, it’s usually more of a one-on-one basis I would say, because you’re emailing or calling professors to talk to them about situations compared to a classroom where you’re just in there with everybody else. 

UGA: Have you interacted with your professors about issues outside of the academic environment? Do you still keep in touch with them now?

JJ: I hope so, because I’m planning on continuing on with getting my master’s degree and I’m planning on becoming a member of the alumni association. Also, in my career, I want to move into management.

UGA: Is there any advice you’d give a veteran who’s considering taking classes at the University of Georgia?

JJ: I guess you have to be prepared to change a little bit of your mindset as far as how to handle the schooling. And be prepared to interpret the readings and put them into practice.

UGA: Tell me more about yourself outside of academic information. What are your hobbies? Do you have a family? What do you enjoy doing?

JJ: I’m married and I’ve got a son and a daughter. My son is 4 and my daughter is 8 months old. When we can find the time, we enjoy camping and doing outdoorsy things. Going on hikes and stuff like that. We like watching football — the Panthers and obviously the Bulldawgs.