Anyone else stressed out there???

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Guest, Oct 13, 2003.

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  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I have earned two DL degrees from a state licensed, unaccredited institution of higher learning. I am currently working on an M.S. at a nationally accredited school. Hang in there. After a while things will settle. Make sure you take time for relaxation and some exercise. Prioritize your day, develop some time management skills, and don't try to do too much at once. Remember, scheduling and structure are the keys.



     
  2. vederveder

    vederveder New Member

    At first, I thought that distance education was wonderful, but I'm telling you, working, family obligations, chores and etc. are wearing. On top of all that, my brain is swelling (metaphorically) ready to break out of it's skull. Although I have read your posts and it seems most of you are extremely accomplished, it seems to me at 46 yrs of age, I wonder if it is worth it.
    I hope you all don't mind my venting, as I have a feeling these Discussion Forums aren't for that purpose.
    Best Regards,
    Vicki
     
  3. Laser100

    Laser100 New Member

    Stress

    I think Jimmy has the right idea. Pace yourself in your studies. Get good exercise. Don't worry about if it is worth it or not. If it wasn't worth it, you wouldn't be doing it.

    In the words of the great sneaker commercial "Just Do It." Don't think about how long will it take, don't think about what it will cost.

    Maintain a good balance with your home life. It does not serve you if you loose your wife and family over it. Remember, they are the ones you will celebrate your victory with when you finish.

    I'm a full-time worker and part-time DL student at Indiana State University. I understand the stress that goes along with juggling education and personal affairs. Hang in there!
     
  4. roysavia

    roysavia New Member

    It's all about time management. It's not easy but if you work on managing your time you'll accomplish a great deal.
    For example, I'm working on a doctorate degree via DL, I also work as a consultant for the government. I have family obligations and I find time to work out at a gym three times per week. Perhaps the following suggestions may be of some assistance:
    (1) Don't watch television - unless you are checking the daily NASDAQ trading results don't bother turning on the idiot box.
    (2) Spend quality time with your family - rather than waste numerous hours on trivial tasks, focus on those tasks that give meaning to you and your family.
    (3) Set one evening aside each week for chores - groceries, cleaning and routine tasks.
    (4) Do your readings (academic) on the bus, the subway or train on your way to work - this will save you quite a bit of time.
    (5) Use an organizer (such as a palm pilot) to schedule all of your appointments, assignment deadlines, meetings, etc.
    (6) Find a way to burn off frustration - get yourself a piece of exercise equipment and give yourself a workout (45 minutes - three times per week).
    :cool:
     
  5. Bill Grover

    Bill Grover New Member

    ===


    Nothing wrong with venting here , Vicki. It may be unfair for me to comment as our situations may be much different. Please forgive me if I am being presumptuous. But, I love distance education!

    I'm 63 and work at school teaching just part time now, so my work load possibly does not equal yours. I can study, research and write my dissertation, about 25 hours weekly. I've been doing this since June of 02 and hope to be done by Nov of 04. At this time that effort is going very, very well.

    Yet there are times when I too wonder if it is worth it. Especially I do because of my age. Certainly I do not have a lifetime career ahead of me consequent to a hoped for completion of this program . But such was not a goal! I think the motivations for pursuing a distance ed, or any sort of education, need to be well established as worthwhile and significant at the beginning. My hunch is that the strength of my purpose will be sufficient in this endeavor to carry me through to its completion. Because this learning is to me so important , I'm willing to give up time and energy and possessions too to get the degree (or rather what that degree signifies) finished. At those times when I wonder if its worth it, I pause to recall exactly what motivates me and why I want this learning experience. Perhaps you might wish to define your own reasons for education and measure their importance against the costs and difficulties of DE.

    Family co operation is extremely important. My sons are grown. One is in the middle east conflict and the other ex marine son is at home. This one can be a challenge as there are severe emotional issues at work, but recently he has been not too much difficulty. My dear wife allows my involvement and distraction. At times we require family discussions where the priorities of each member are defined and accomodated as much as possible.

    A busy person with a family needs a schedule, time, place, and precise conditions for study need to be agreed to by family members which are compatible with other necessary commitments. I need to share my study place with other members as it is open to the kitchen and the living room. Here is the computer and my wall of books 11 feet high. ( I use a ladder)But it is understood that items on my desk are not to be touched and that I am not to be bothered when at study.

    Then aside from external distractions there are stategies to be employed for both the general and the specific study time . If one is doing a series of assignments for a class perhaps one should try to get an overview of the whole and maintain a record of ideas for completing each . I also find it helpful to outline my goals for each study period. At the end of each study time I plan what I will do the next study period. The interim time between study periods I contemplate on the issues I soon must address in that section of the thesis. I apologize if this is too simplistic and not germane to your issues.

    A distance learning student may need to be more independent than a classroom student. The latter offers more opportunity to access profs and benefit from group learning. In my case I have a good background in my area of research and am very independent. Were one to lack this perhaps associations could be developed with people who do have such a background.

    I am not stressed out at all , but rather I am relishing this experience. I hope that you will be able to achieve your goals by this method as well and wish you the best.
     
  6. Gus Sainz

    Gus Sainz New Member

    Personally, I am of the opinion that nothing has been proven to alleviate stress better than what has been used by college students all over the world since time immemorial: booze and sex. :D
     
  7. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    You see, this is just one of the ways in which Gus has been helpful to me. Now I know that back when I was 20 I was just "alleviating stress."
    :D
    Jack
     
  8. Dennis Ruhl

    Dennis Ruhl member

    I figured out the booze part, now what's this sex thing all about?
     

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