Distance Learning: Why Online Learning Works For Me
When I made the choice to go back to school I kept asking myself how was I ever going to be able to do this, work and take care of my daughter…let alone ever sleep? I soon found the wonderful world of online learning and while it isn’t for everyone it does work for those of us who have little options for time and are self-motivators. For me it was a matter of time, the only way that I was going to be able to go to school full-time. Now for me there are certain classes that I knew I would really struggle with online. I am a science person so online Math was out of the question for me. I also took my lab sciences in person. But that left pretty much everything else to be taken online.
I did the bulk of my work prior to coming to ODU and a lot of that was online, but it hasn’t been as easy as I thought to be completely online. Anybody who knows me knows I am a "tell it like it is" kind of person. Online learning isn’t for everyone, but that’s the greatest part of the Distance Learning Extended Campus sites that ODU offers. If online isn’t for you or you need that extra help then you can take advantage of some of the other learning opportunities that a site offers.
As with any situation you face there are always questions and concerns that you need to address. For me the biggest problem I have faced is the lack of connection to the main campus. So this semester I made it a point to reach out to at least one of my professors to try to feel a better connection with what was going on in Norfolk. There are a lot of areas that need to be addressed where DL is concerned but I do know that ODU is attempting to address them because I have been a part of that conversation.
ODU offered me an opportunity I otherwise wouldn’t have had. I am so grateful for what they have allowed me to achieve. I am about to realize a dream that I have had since I was a child. I am one step closer to my dream job. I never thought I would be where I am today and I have ODU to thank. I did the work but they gave me the opportunity.
Online learning isn’t for everyone but I think that it scares a lot of people away. The biggest key to success with online is routine. You cannot procrastinate. Every semester I have set up a schedule to complete assignments in accordance with my deadlines and that has made the biggest difference for me. It helps me keep track of what I need to do each day and I don’t “forget” assignments.
If you are a self-motivator with a tight schedule because of work or whatever other commitments you might have, then look into distance learning, it might be just what you are looking for whether it is the all online programs or a combination of online and classroom. It’s a great opportunity to go back to school -- after all, it’s never too late to realize a dream.
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