Regardless of the time zone, the morning begins at 6 a.m. with four bell rings and two pipe calls. Depending on the plan of the day, she might be signaling for a helicopter to land on the flight deck or steering the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) through a replenishment-at-sea.

Sometime between these tasks, Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Bryana Sheppard, from Baltimore, Maryland, finds time to attend the Central Texas College's English 1301 course held aboard the ship.

"Taking a college course on a ship is a little different because you always have something going on, no matter where you are," said Sheppard. "I've taken a few advance placement college courses in high school like math and history, but this is different because we are responsible for meeting our own deadlines."

The class is more of a discussion rather than a lecture, said Sheppard. This encourages multiple people enrolled in the course to share their perspective.

"NCPACE (Navy College Program for Afloat College Education) limits the enrollment to 15 students or less for English 1301 and 1302," said Julia Carvel, the NCPACE instructor and counselor aboard Cole. "There's more one-on-one interaction between the teachers and students, so it's more of a workshop than it is a traditional class."

For example, one assignment was to create a research paper thesis. Carvel walked each student through their assignment and explained what constitutes a working thesis and whether or not it can be something they can expand on. However, if it were a classroom of 35 students there wouldn't be enough time to do this.

"As far as what we've learned in the class, she has taught us some great writing tools," said Sheppard. "I don't use it in my day-to-day work routine right now, but I can see how helpful these writing assignments are."

Specifically, Carvel assigned the students to write ten things they miss most while on deployment. Then they had to write why they missed those things and how it impacted them. Finally, they had to explain what the students do to substitute for those things. Sheppard said she wrote about how she misses taking a bath and showering without wearing shoes.

Additionally, the assignment changed her idea on how much detail could go into one topic.

"I think everyone should have a basic level of communication ability because that's how you get things done," said Carvel. "That's how you can earn promotions, awards and anything you really deserve in life."

"The advice I would give anyone considering taking a course is don't be scared," said Sheppard. "Your professor will reason with you and make sure you stay on top of all your assignments, even with a busy schedule just go for it. You should take advantage of all the things the Navy has to offer."

Cole is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and to preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.

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For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/.