| If you are interested in furthering your education, but | | | | calendar. Make a note of contact names and numbers, |
| the prospect of attending regular classes in a traditional | | | | then leave the rest of the package until your next |
| school or college leaves you cold, then you could | | | | scheduled study session. |
| consider becoming one of the increasing numbers of | | | | Your first study session should be the time you |
| distance learning students. In a distance learning | | | | actually program your workload. Take a look at what |
| program, you can study in the comfort of your own | | | | you've been sent as a study plan. Mark up your |
| home (or even at your workplace during your lunch | | | | material so you know what you will be studying and |
| period if you prefer), and at the hours that fit your | | | | when. If you want to, mark up your wall chart, or put a |
| schedule. However following an education program on | | | | note in your PDA/diary about what you will be studying |
| your own isn't for everyone and so you need to | | | | each week. This keeps everything fresh in your mind |
| develop some good study habits in order to | | | | and you know if you're on schedule with your studying, |
| successfully complete your course. | | | | or falling behind. |
| The first thing you need to do is organize yourself. | | | | Make sure that you keep the right number of study |
| When will you study? Where will you study? Create | | | | sessions each week. If you have to cancel one |
| some kind of a timetable that shows the times you will | | | | because of attending a meeting, or going to a party, |
| be at a desk with your books. This timetable won't be | | | | make sure that you substitute that session with |
| cast in stone, but it should be kept as much as | | | | another one before your next scheduled session. If |
| possible. Organizing your time is imperative to good | | | | you find that you're falling behind, adding a couple of |
| distance learning outcomes as it is too easy to lapse | | | | additional sessions into your week will help you catch |
| into a "tomorrow" attitude and you'll soon find yourself | | | | up. |
| lagging behind with your course work and assignments. | | | | Distance learning is a great experience if you who |
| You should also set up a wall calendar where you can | | | | have the organizational ability and self-motivation to |
| plainly see it every day so that you can mark on any | | | | keep yourself on track. Before signing up for any |
| due dates for assignments/examinations. | | | | program be very clear that you will be doing this more |
| As soon as you receive your material from the | | | | or less on your own, with no-one ringing you up asking |
| distance learning unpack the box and check the items | | | | for work, or reminding you about an exam. If you are |
| off the checklist if one is included. Immediately inform | | | | independent and have the necessary skills however, |
| the institution if anything is missing -- even if it doesn't | | | | there are an increasing number of established colleges |
| seem very important. Next mark up any dates that | | | | offering distance learning packages and it might be just |
| are relevant to your course (start dates, end dates, | | | | the thing to help you need to secure that next |
| online lectures, assignments due, etc) onto the wall | | | | promotion. |