Pursuing higher education is a rewarding experience—but it often comes with competing responsibilities. Young adults juggle coursework, jobs, family commitments, social lives, and service. With so many demands, flexibility can make the difference between delaying a degree and graduating on time.

For Kyle Coleman, a recent BYU graduate, BYU Independent Study provided that flexibility, helping him complete his degree while moving across the country.

Studying from Coast to Coast

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Kyle was living in Provo while working toward his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at BYU. Midway through his program, his wife applied to graduate schools and was accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The couple moved from Utah to North Carolina so she could begin her graduate program.

Even with such a major life change, Kyle stayed on track to graduate thanks to BYU Independent Study. He enrolled in online courses to finish his final year remotely and successfully earned his degree.

“Without Independent Study, I would not have been able to move and graduate out of state,” Kyle shared. The program allowed his wife to pursue opportunities freely, knowing he could complete his coursework from anywhere.

High-Quality Learning—Anywhere

Kyle highlighted the quality and convenience of the Independent Study platform. While completing his Exercise Physiology course online, he found the content just as rigorous and well structured as his in-person classes in Provo.

Some of the features he appreciated included:

• Working at his own pace
• Access to online textbooks for rent or purchase
• Clear, well-organized modules that made learning manageable

Although he missed in-person interaction, Kyle valued the program’s ability to help him stay connected academically while living out of state.

A Message for the Future

Reflecting on his experience, Kyle said:

“I would ask that BYU continue to make Independent Study options available for more courses because it was a great experience for me, and I know it could help other people as well.”

BYU Continuing Education celebrates Kyle’s achievement and remains committed to offering high-quality, flexible online courses that support students—no matter their stage in life or where their journeys take them.

Discover how BYU Independent Study can fit your life. Visit is.byu.edu to explore courses.

In 2024, Elisabeth Collings earned Utah’s World Language Sterling Scholar Award for mastering seven languages, including Russian through BYU Independent Study. Her language journey began at home, where her father’s fluency in Italian, German, and French inspired her. A family trip to Florence, Italy, at age 12 solidified her passion. “All the teenagers in Italy speak like five languages. I thought, ‘That’s so cool! Why don’t people in America do that?’”

By 12, Elisabeth set a goal to learn five languages before high school graduation. After mastering Italian, she added French, German, and Spanish. Russian, however, was a new challenge. Through a National Security Agency summer camp, she was introduced to Russian and chose it as one of her critical need languages. She enrolled in BYU Independent Study’s Russian course to continue her learning.

BYU Independent Study was essential to her success. Elisabeth valued the Conversation Café, which allowed her to practice speaking with native speakers. “I loved that I got to do actual speaking practice with real people, instead of Duolingo, where you don’t really learn anything,” she said. The program’s flexible, online format allowed her to reinforce grammar and make steady progress.

Managing multiple languages and courses wasn’t easy, but Elisabeth’s dedication kept her focused. “The hardest part was managing everything,” she said, referring to her busy schedule seeking out language opportunities.

Her advice to aspiring language learners? “Your language experience is only going to be as good as the work you’re willing to put into it.” She stresses the importance of consistent practice, whether reading, listening, or conversing.

Elisabeth’s story shows that with hard work, dedication, and the right resources, extraordinary success is possible. Her achievement is a powerful reminder that perseverance leads to remarkable outcomes.

As homeschooling parents, you want more than just a solid education for your children—you want them to thrive in college and beyond. For 17-year-old Jonathan, that goal became a reality through BYU Independent Study.

Finding the Right Challenge

Like many homeschool students, Jonathan needed advanced coursework that matched his pace and interests. When he discovered BYU Independent Study, he found a flexible, online program offering high school and university-level courses that fit seamlessly into his homeschool schedule.

Jonathan enrolled in AP Biology, Calculus, and English Literature—rigorous courses that not only gave him access to college-level content but also strengthened his time management and self-discipline. The structure allowed him to set his own schedule while staying accountable to high academic standards.

Getting a Head Start on College

Before even stepping onto a college campus, Jonathan had already earned college credits through BYU Independent Study. The experience deepened his knowledge of subjects he loved and gave him the confidence to pursue his dream of studying biomedical engineering.

Jonathan’s story is just one example of how homeschool students can use BYU Independent Study to expand their learning opportunities, build essential academic skills, and prepare for the rigors of higher education.

A Resource for Homeschool Families

BYU Independent Study offers a wide variety of accredited courses—from core subjects to specialized electives—designed to challenge and inspire motivated learners. With flexible pacing, engaging content, and trusted accreditation, it’s a powerful resource for homeschool families seeking to give their students an academic edge.

Every student’s path is unique, but with the right preparation, they can all arrive at the same destination: a confident, successful college experience.

Ready to explore courses for your homeschooler? Visit is.byu.edu or contact our support team for personalized guidance.