Over the past decade, the researcher has completed two university degrees from accredited Canadian universities through online distance education (ODE) offerings. Research suggests that these experiences and subsequent acquisition of university degrees through ODE are not the norms (Clay et al., 2009; Hart 2012; Lee & Choi, 2010). The researcher wondered how one succeeded in obtaining degrees through ODE when others do not? The purpose of this research project is to identify characteristics shared by successful adult students in an ODE master's degree program, common challenges they faced, and the strategies they used to achieve success. By examining the experiences encountered as an ODE student along with the experiences of other ODE students, the researcher hoped to raise ODE student awareness of challenges they may face and identify strategies that may help guide ODE students to success when pursuing their degree.