Many students come to distance learning after spending time away from academia, whether because of starting a career, raising a family, or military service. So, hitting the books again after time off can be difficult, especially in a distance learning environment where students work from home, on their own time, and away from their classmates. For distance learning students, adjusting to academic studies can take a little time, but there are some strategies that make it easier.
First, take your schooling seriously. Just because you are learning from a distance doesn’t mean you have time to slack off or ignore your work. You need to treat it like any other important obligation, which means that the same rules apply as they do in the workplace: Show up when you are supposed to, be courteous and respectful, and do you work on time. Sure, being in school again can make you feel like a kid instead of an adult, but treating your distance learning more like you do your work and less like school will help you keep it in perspective.
Second, avoid isolation. Working alone on your projects can be hard, and frequently distance learning involves a great deal of independent study and little input from instructors. However, most distance learning schools offer discussion forums for students to share with one another. Take advantage of this opportunity and get to know some of your classmates. It will help you feel connected and make you better able to associate school work with positive feelings.
