Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Don, B.S. in Criminal Justice
How do you manage work/school/personal life?
Managing my time is very difficult, I feel like I miss out on a lot of stuff because it seems that I am continually doing homework. When my friends are out for a beer, I'm doing homework, when my wife and friends go to a concert, I'm doing homework. The toughest part is making a personal schedule and sticking to it.
Name: Don Palmer
Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Current Location: Texas
Advice to Online Students: "Student support is the single most important aspect of online learning... so make sure that the school you choose has excellent student support."
School: Southwestern College
Target: B.S. in Criminal Justice, 2006
If I want a day off, I have to schedule one, so that I know what I have to do on the days that I am studying. Last-minute plans do not exist in my world at this time and the hardest thing for me to do is say "no" because I've committed that time to doing something else.
However, getting off schedule can be very stressful; a couple of times I have gone off and had a good time and had to do a lot of extra work at the last minute to make up for it. When that happens I start to burn out quicker, my grades go down and my stress level soars, so I recommend making a schedule and sticking to it like your life depends on it.
How are you paying for your education?
Tuition reimbursement from my employer, financial aid, savings—and I paid for some as I went for some portions.
What is your biggest challenge as a distance learning student?
Saying "no" to other distractions around me and keeping on task.
What is the best thing about distance learning?
The best thing about distance learning is the convenience, I can study anytime, day or night so long as I meet my deadlines.
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