Distance Learning Tips

You’ve just chosen electives and recently received your textbooks for an accredited college degree distance learning course.  Congratulations, you are in great company.  More and more adults, college students and high school students are finding distance learning the right fit for their quest in finishing degrees, beginning college courses for credit or taking refresher classes to increase their marketability in the workplace.

Today you’ll start studying!  The books are on the kitchen table and you’ve just made some toast.  Before you start your breakfast and your reading, you’d be wise to consider a few pointers on how to get the most from your classes.

Distance learning increased in popularity when students of all ages realized the ultimate convenience offered by studying completely at home.  Most courses are correspondence in nature and allow you to study with instructors on call for difficult assignments.  Some even provide internet access with whiteboard/blackboard capabilities or discussion groups to allow interactions with peers.  Remember, your course work commands and deserves your undivided attention.  You’ll need to treat it as you would any job you’ve previously held.  There should be definite start and stop times set, regular sessions scheduled, preferably in the same location, and you should not encourage disruptions or distractions until you end the session each day. 

Studies have shown that most people who multi-task are less efficient at both tasks than they would have been completing one at a time.  When studying for your course, don’t answer the phone or watch the television at the same time.  You’ll save time in re-reading over the same material when your concentration is at its peak performance.

Because it can be lonely studying alone, consider joining a study group locally to discuss theories and principles related to your course work.  If there are none available, start one yourself.  Place flyers in libraries and college community boards. You may also be able to seek out personal tutors to help with the difficult sections of your assigned chapters.  Local community colleges, places of worship, recreation centers and district high schools have tutors who are willing to clarify topics and work with you for a fee.  Certified teachers are good resources in this area as well.  They often have experience developing curriculum and will know what cumulative skills you will need for upcoming sections of your class. 

Don't be afraid to ask the community college near your home for a list of available tutors, or advertise on one of the social networks for one.  It is easy to find a college student majoring in the subject you are having the most trouble with, who may tutor you for a reduced rate, or for a flat fee.  Follow up with the local state school campus with teachers getting their certification to teach.  Often, they need internships for credits, and are not expecting to be paid for helping out.  This is a win-win situation, you'll get quality tutoring for free, and the student (someone who can be of any age!) may receive the required internship credit hours applicable towards graduation.

Now you’ll feel comfortable finishing that piece of toast. With these tips in mind, you’ll find that distance learning will fit easily into your lifestyle.  You’ll be able to work, relax and manage your personal and family life as well as your course work when each has a special time delineated in advance.