“Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” --Malcolm Forbes
There are tons of tips that have been provided on this site and others regarding distance learning. We’ve covered what questions you need to ask, how to find out if you are a good candidate for this learning platform, the best way to pick a program that fits your needs, and more.
One topic I don’t see mentioned very often is one that I feel is very important. It has to do with your success in any distance learning program you might decide to enroll in. That is the environment that you live and work in and how it relates to your school work.
In order to succeed, there are a hundred things that you need. Determination, diligence, desire, adaptability, professionalism, and a good attitude are just a few. But the environment where you do your school work is just as important as all of those. I wanted to share with you what works for me, and see if I can reach a few people in hopes of raising awareness to this often-overlooked concern.
I like peace and quiet. Some people can do school work with the kids running around the house or the husband or wife constantly calling your name wanting you to do something. Some people can work when the phone is ringing off the wall and the house or office is seems like morning rush hour. I can’t do those things very well. When all those things are going on in the background, I find that my attention span is at near zero, and I am less productive. If you think about your own personal situation, I think you will feel the same way.
Over a period of time, I have found some things that work for me, and maybe they will work for you.
Pick a Place
Before you enroll in school, pick a place to do your school work. Actually, if you are like me, you have chosen multiple locations for this. (I do work from home, my office, the library, and the local coffee shop with wireless access). You might decide that the public library is the best place. Furthermore, a room in your house with the door closed or at work in your office might suffice.
You need to have a dedicated location where you will be free from outside distractions. I have found that I can have some dedicated time during my lunch break at work where I close my door for an hour and do school work. Furthermore, I often stay late when the number of people in the building is greatly reduced. This helps out with the noise generated by the traffic of people going about their business.
Set a Time
You should also set up a dedicated time (if you are working from home) where you can be undisturbed. This may involve discussing this with your family and letting them know that it’s important to have some dedicated time set aside where you are not disturbed by kids and other factors. If I am working at home, I will usually do my school work late in the evening after my daughter has gone to bed.
Get Out of Your Element
I could probably do well in school if I limited my locations to home and work. I have decided to work at other locations (library, coffee shop) so that I don’t get stuck in some boring routine. When there is something new to look forward to, even if it is something so simple as a place to study, people usually embrace the chance to break up the normal routine.
Structure is Good
People do well when they have structure. We’ve all heard this about children and how structure can contribute to their growth and learning. This applies to adults as well. I have found that in the four years I’ve spent at Kaplan, that when I have a schedule and I know what to look forward to, I do a lot better and I’m able to keep up like I should. There have been times where I’ve had to break my structure due to work obligations and other things, and the drop-off in enthusiasm and desire to contribute is something I really notice. So develop a structure and stick to it as much as possible. You will be happy you did.
Find What Makes You Calm Down
After the horrific pace of being at work for 8 hours, then knowing I have to come home to a house that will be just as busy, I need to take some time to chill out. I need to focus. It’s very hard to focus when you’ve been going 100 miles per hour all day, and all of a sudden you need to slow down and concentrate on something different. It’s not an easy task. Find out what makes you calm down and focus.
I personally like to resort to streaming radio and classical music. Check out NPR (
http://www.npr.com ) and find a station near you. They stream some very soothing music all day long. Also, when I am not pressed for time, I like to watch a DVD on my computer in the background when I am doing school work. It does make the work go slower, but it keeps me in front of the computer and I get to spend a little more time on projects that need to be completed. Watching DVDs in the background work for me, but this may not apply to all people.
I hope these tips help you out. They are essential things that don’t get much attention. Following a schedule, developing structure, and being relaxed are three things that are a must. If you can master these things, your chances at succeeding will increase greatly.