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Full Sail Ahead! A Digital Student Journey

By Ashley Clements

These days, shopping, communication, and virtual doctor visits are online. So, naturally, colleges hoping to connect with students now offer online classes. Students may be thrilled at the prospect of not getting to class on time and staying in a dorm room with another student. It is the perfect situation for most students. Online education can offer flexibility and the ability to pursue your career. However, it can also come with some unique challenges.

Full Sail University, in Winter Park, is a private institution that opened in 1979. It offers industry-specific training in the Arts, Entertainment, and technology. Full Sail started its online platform in 2008, and currently, 20,000 students from around the world log into their Full Sail One portal. Full Sail University is listed as one of Newsweek America’s Top Online Colleges in 2025. Full Sail University online students balance their personal and professional responsibilities all semester while providing a positive learning experience. 

In a study done by the Journal of Education and Learning, They measured engagement and academic achievement in an online learning environment. They compared Moodle, Google Classroom, WebQuest, Edmodo, Schoology, and various LVM (Learning management systems.) The study found that the project-based gamification models used in online learning significantly affected student engagement and academic achievement scores.  Dr.Kadek Suartama stated that the online learning environment “strengthened positive learning behavior, maximizing feelings of enjoyment and engagement in the learning process.” ( Suartama, 2023) 

How do the students feel about their online education? Full Sail students Danielle Guerrero and Megan Wilcox share their experiences and shed light on their inspirations, struggles, and future goals. They were asked the following questions: what inspired you to get into your field? What is the most challenging part about being an online student? How did you overcome that experience? What was the moment that shifted your goals? What are your plans for after graduation? What advice do you give to current or upcoming students?

Pulling an all-nighter, Danielle Guerrero 

Danielle Guerrero is an Information Technology student. She was drawn to IT for its broader applications and opportunities for continuous learning. Guerrero states, “I wanted to get into IT because it applies to so many fields and allows me to evolve my skills and knowledge. “Like many online students, Guerrero struggles with time management. “Balancing home, work, and school is tough. I have fixed this by ‘booking time’ each week just for schoolwork,” she explained. Despite those challenges, Guerrero remains committed to her dream. She gets more excited as her coursework becomes more specialized. As for her goals, Guerrero hopes to stay with her current employer and one day transition into the entertainment industry. When asked for advice, she said, “Make time for your studies—it is a priority and should be treated as such to get the most out of it.”

The graduate with big dreams, Megan Wilcox

Megan Wilcox is a current 2024 grad with a Masters in Media Design. With a passion for all things about art and design. Wilcox stated, “I wanted to be a fashion designer in high school but was told it was unrealistic,” Wilcox shared. She pursued Graphic Design and Print in a technical high school before studying Digital Arts and Design at Full Sail for her undergrad. Choosing an online master’s program allowed Wilcox to balance school with a demanding work schedule, but she missed in-person interactions. 

Wilcox aims to find an opportunity at her current company using the skills she learned during her program. Wilcox mentioned, “I love branding, but I want to be confident in creating briefs without relying on others.” She aims to become an art director but recognizes the financial challenges in the design industry. 

Wilcox will not let that stop her; she is working with Career development to find her path after Full Sail. When asked what advice she would give current students, Wilcox said, “Do the homework, but also work on your projects—even failures teach you something.” She continued, “Ask questions, network, and take advantage of every opportunity. Full Sail will always support you, even if you fail—we’re here to help you try again.”

Guerrero and Wilcox’s journeys highlight the positives and struggles of online education. Full Sail students prove that education is truly what you make of it. So, whether you are an online or campus student, you can and will succeed if you have perseverance, adaptability, and ambition.