• Online
  Degrees
• Online
  Programs
• Online
  Courses
• Online
  Colleges
• Campus
  Programs
• eLearners
  Advisor
• Articles &
  Resources
• Blogs &
  Forums

Distance Learning and How It Can Work for You

What It's Really Like to Study from Home

Finding a Study Area

Myth: To be productive I need a separate office secluded from the rest of the family.

Reality: A separate office is good, but a kid-friendly work space is better. There will be times when the kids have a snow day, the babysitter is sick, and your toddler decided to skip his nap. If you have a looming assignment due you need to find a way to get it done while caring for kids at the same time.

Solution: Setting up a mobile office with a laptop and portable files can give you the flexibility to watch over your children, yet stay on task with your schoolwork. Another option is making sure your office can accommodate your children and includes a few items to entertain them.

Choosing Your Classes

Myth: With so many courses to choose from, my only consideration is meeting prerequisites.

Reality: An important consideration when picking your classes for the next term is the types of assignments you will have and the frequency of their due dates.

Solution: Although you most likely won't get a syllabus ahead of time, pay close attention to course descriptions. Another option is to speak to a former student of that class or even the instructor. Try to get a feel for the types of assignments you'll need to complete.

If you struggle with writing papers, do not take multiple courses at once where the majority of the assignments have this requirement. Also consider the frequency with which your assignments will be due. Balancing a course that has weekly due dates with one that has monthly due dates may be a better option than taking classes at the same time that have frequent due dates.

Studying in Comfort

Myth: I'm going to love the comfort of hanging out in my own home, working on the computer in my pajamas.

Reality: You will experience the comforts of taking classes from your own home both day and night. Of course by night, that means working at 2:00 a.m., merely twenty feet from your bed, in a quiet house, where everyone is sleeping…everyone that is, but you.

Solution: To avoid being distracted by the comforts of home break your school-related to-do list into smaller tasks and prioritize. The lines between school and home can get blurred, but doing little chunks of work throughout the day can add up to big accomplishments. This will help you to be in bed at 2:00 a.m. instead of at your desk.

Household Responsibilities

Myth: Everyone in my family is on-board and excited to help out so I can get my degree.

Reality: They may be enthusiastic now, but once they get annoyed with taking over the laundry duty, you'll hear about it.

Solution: Plan to have a monthly meeting with the members of your family. Discuss what is and is not working and come up with an action plan. Remember to set up a reward system so everyone feels appreciated for their effort. Also, share your accomplishments with all of your family members. Letting them see the results of their assistance can be a great motivator.

Taking Breaks

Myth: If I skip taking a break tonight and just push really hard to get my assignments done, then tomorrow I will have a big chunk of time to relax.

Reality: Chances are your big chunk of time will never present itself. Instead it will get filled with other duties that are more pressing than your time to relax.

Solution: Try to take a little time for yourself everyday. Even if it is just fifteen minutes to take a walk or taking an extra-long shower. This will go much further to prevent burnout than trying to take an entire evening off, which is really difficult to make happen.

Keeping House

Myth: Since I will be taking classes online and will be home more I will have an easier time keeping the house picked up.

Reality: You house will most likely be messier than other homes. Those who are gone all day and evening working and attending class on campus will return to a house in the same condition the left it. No additional messes are made.

Stay-at-home parents without the extra responsibility of classes generally have time during naps and in the evening to clean up messes generated during the day. Distance learners have the additional messes because the house is lived in yet any breaks they have need to be spent working on the computer instead of cleaning. Therefore, the house is usually messier.

Solution: Divide up the housekeeping tasks and get the entire family involved. If you can swing it financially, hiring a professional cleaning service may be a worthwhile expense when you are taking classes. Or just accept the fact that your house will be messier than others, at least for now.

---

Jennifer Applin is a freelance writer, wife, and mother of four. She spends her days cooking, cleaning, and caring for little ones, and her nights writing about parenting, pregnancy, and the quest for peace (as in peace and quiet—there is such a thing, right?).

We welcome all comments directed to: recession [at] elearners [dot] com.