With web development and design as her hobbies, Heather Noel was naturally drawn to studying computer science when she enrolled at Delaware County Community College (DCCC). But the school's main campus was 45 minutes from her home, and at times her curriculum required her to take classes at DCCC locations even farther away.

So rather than drive to such distant courses, Noel registered for distance education courses instead.

"I decided to take my classes online," she says. "I love it. I would do the work on my own time and on the weekends."

Unlike many students enrolled in distance education courses, Noel fits the profile of a more "traditional" college student. At 21, she is not married, has no children, and works part time - 20 hours a week at an insurance company. Still, the distance education format serves her well.

"I do not have to travel to a campus," she says. "I do the work and the learning at home or anywhere, and I do it over the weekend or late at night."

And distance classes are moving Noel closer to her goal of earning an associate's degree in computer information systems. She's right on target for a May 2005 graduation.

Noel offers some frank advice to adults thinking about taking distance education courses.

"You have to have time management skills," she says. "The teacher is not there to make sure you are completing your work and is not there to remind you that something is due."

Patience will help distance learners cope, Noel says, admitting that she felt challenged by the wait she had to endure for a professor to respond to her questions via email or phone.

She also finds herself a little wistful that she doesn't meet new students in an actual classroom, but she accepts that aspect of distance education as a compromise for convenience. Potential distance learners need to be aware of the tradeoff, she cautions.

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Noel's interest in computer technology is hardly new. During high school she developed her computer skills at the Pickering Center for Arts and Technology in Phoenixville, Pa., where she concentrated in computer science.

A Pennsylvania organization that promotes technology careers - the Information Technology Action Group (ITAG) of Chester County - recognized her talents by awarding her a scholarship at DCCC. Now she manages the ITAG web site through an internship at the college, allowing her to build a bridge from her high-tech hobby to her future professional life.

"I would like to be either a webmaster for a large company or have my own business and design web sites for smaller companies," she says.

Her path to fulfill that ambition is clear. "My goal is to receive my associate's degree in computer information systems and also a bachelor's degree in visual communication and information technology," Noel says.

She plans to transfer to Immaculata University to pursue her four-year degree.