Many students turn to online learning in search of a new dynamic after spending years in a brick-and-mortar environment. But for ASU Prep Digital freshman Mahayla Palachuk, online learning is all she’s ever known.
“I’ve been doing online learning since kindergarten,” Palahchuk said. “I was with the same school up until the beginning of my freshman year, but after they made a lot of changes and took away the flexibility from the program, my mom and I went searching for a new online school.”
Luckily, Palachuk didn’t have to search for long before discovering the answer to her problem — ASU Prep Digital.
“My oldest friend actually attends ASU Prep Digital,” Palachuk said. “After her dad told my dad about all of the benefits, I reached out to her and she had nothing but good things to say.”
The glowing review from her friend coupled with an informative phone call with Kathleen Bacon, one of the admissions advisors, solidified Malachuk’s decision to join the community of learners at ASU Prep Digital.
“The two main deciding factors for choosing ASU Prep Digital were the flexibility and the college courses,” Palachuk said. “Flexibility is a very big thing for me and my family, and the ability to take college courses will allow me to hopefully be able to do the required courses I would have taken while in college.”
Being able to work at her own pace and plan for her future has made it even easier for Palachuk to pursue her passions while earning her high school diploma.
“I have the time to work on and write my books,” Palachuk said. “I have my first novel, The Rise of The Crimson Archer, in editing, and I have another book series that I’m currently developing.”
And because being part of a community is important to her, Palachuk also finds time to get involved with clubs at ASU Prep Digital.
“I am a blogger for the ASU Prep Digital Student Blog and the ASU Prep Digital Book Club vice president,” Palachuk said. “I have many different projects I am working on and researching and I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
While Palachuk has a passion for writing, her other interests include vlogging, reading, and weather!
“When I was six years old, I watched Twister for the first time with my mom,” Palachuk said. “Over the years, my love and interest for weather, severe storms, and natural disasters has grown. It eventually led to me deciding at 13 that I wanted to go to college and major in meteorology!”
Palachuk even plans on starting college classes next year to get ahead and save herself time when she gets to college.
“I may try to knock out required courses like math so when I do go to college, I can focus more on my major classes,” Palachuk said.
Palachuk is a force to be reckoned with and wise beyond her years. As an advocate for online learning, she offers advice to those who are considering making the switch.
“If you are someone who needs the flexibility in their schedule or wants to be able to work at their own pace, online learning would be perfect for you,” Palachuk said. “It’s a lot of hard work, but in the end it’s extremely rewarding.”
And for those who want to join ASU Prep Digital, Palachuk is certain you’ll be pleased with how many benefits there are to being a Sun Devil.
“Everything is completely opposite of how my old school was before I decided to leave,” Palachuk said. “The schooling is flexible, the teachers are present and helpful, and it’s so much easier to catch up if you fall behind. I know I made the right choice to enroll at ASU Prep Digital!”
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