Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Harry, B.A. in Professional Writing
What has been the most difficult thing for you about distance learning? (cont'd)
Name: Harry Husted
Age: 49
Career Interests: Writing
Current Location: Bronx, NY
Advice to Online Students: "You have to be careful [how] you express yourself online because the comments you leave are recorded and displayed for a long time."
School: Ellis College
Target: B.A. in English/Professional Writing, 2008
Another part that I consider hard is being able to communicate with my instructor one-on-one when I have a problem or issue.
Instead, I have to communicate via email or instant message. And then the instructor doesn't always reply fast enough. So in that case, I have to either do my best or wait for a response.
Tell us a little bit about buying books for online classes.
Another thing about distance learning is having to wait for your books in the mail. You can't always just pick them up at the bookstore. You have to purchase them at either Amazon.com or another bookstore online.
I buy books online for a whole lot less. In some cases, I buy them used at $2 a shot. Why buy new ones when used are just as good? I don't care if the book is worn or written in. I will only use it for the class and probably discard it later.
What's it like having virtual classmates?
There is the anxiety of being placed in a group with someone you may not like (based on comments that person may have said). It is hard to communicate with the student without maybe offending him or her because of the way you express your words.
You have to be careful at the way you express yourself online because the comments you leave are recorded and displayed for a long time to come.
Do you comment on other's posts on the online forums?
Commenting on other people's posts on the online forums really is a waste of my time. I prefer to just log into my classroom, read over my assignment, perform my assignment, turn it in, and get graded for it. That's it.
I do not wish to waste time commenting on someone else's post. But the college policy dictates it has to be done. So I just grin and bear it.
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