I want to finish my degree, by studying part time with the Open University, whilst working full time.
Anyone have any experience with long-distance learning?
If so, what did you struggle adjusting to at the start?
Long distance learning
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I want to finish my degree, by studying part time with the Open University, whilst working full time.
Anyone have any experience with long-distance learning?
If so, what did you struggle adjusting to at the start?
Anyone have any experience with long-distance learning?
If so, what did you struggle adjusting to at the start?
I've finished my Master's and some of my PhD remotely during COVID, and have done over 2 years of my PhD remotely & part time - some of which has included full-time employment. Hopefully finishing by Christmas, or soon after that. Theres a couple of lessons or tips I would share:
1) It can be lonely, be sure to give yourself a break
I don't think the online resources prepare people for how isolated self-directed study (especially remotely) can be. Most of the time only you and your teachers will care or know about your field of study so trying to connect with others can be difficult. Make sure you give yourself some time to socialise and disconnect from both your studies and your employment.
2) Set short, achieveable, deadlines
Modules, courses, or projects that have deadlines over months can be incredibly easy to procrastinate, doubly so remotely. I've found it really effective to either set your own short-term deadlines, or better yet negotiate them with your teachers/staff. 1-2 week blocks for either a short report, session notes, or any kind of deliverable are really good ways to keep yourself engaged.
3) Keep meetings efficient
If you have the opportunity to meet with teachers/staff, get into the habit of making agendas with them or at least have an idea of what you want to talk about before you get into the meeting. When you wrap up the meeting set tasks for yourself and maybe them that needs to be actioned (linking to point 2).
4) Get your 'virtual desk' in order
So much time can be wasted finding a way of working that is optimal for you. Spend some time at the start of your studies to find the software or tools that you will use to do things like manage notes, write reports, manage your reading/literature, whatever.
5) Do a little bit every day, and give yourself credit for doing so
Long duration studies like degrees can be a draining experience and it can be so easy to let the days pass by without a lot of progress made on your work. Even doing the smallest amount of work (like a draft structure of a section of your thesis, just bullet points), every day (or at least the days you plan to work on your studies) can go a long way to making that mad rush before the assessment deadlines. Focus not on avoiding that deadline rush, but instead on tasks you can do to make that rush easier like structuring your essay, annotating reading and linking it with other literature, etc.
I've finished my Master's and some of my PhD remotely during COVID, and have done over 2 years of my PhD remotely & part time - some of which has included full-time employment. Hopefully finishing by Christmas, or soon after that. Theres a couple of lessons or tips I would share:
[b]1) It can be lonely, be sure to give yourself a break[/b]
I don't think the online resources prepare people for how isolated self-directed study (especially remotely) can be. Most of the time only you and your teachers will care or know about your field of study so trying to connect with others can be difficult. Make sure you give yourself some time to socialise and disconnect from both your studies and your employment.
[b]2) Set short, achieveable, deadlines[/b]
Modules, courses, or projects that have deadlines over months can be incredibly easy to procrastinate, doubly so remotely. I've found it really effective to either set your own short-term deadlines, or better yet negotiate them with your teachers/staff. 1-2 week blocks for either a short report, session notes, or any kind of deliverable are really good ways to keep yourself engaged.
[b]3) Keep meetings efficient[/b]
If you have the opportunity to meet with teachers/staff, get into the habit of making agendas with them or at least have an idea of what you want to talk about before you get into the meeting. When you wrap up the meeting set tasks for yourself and maybe them that needs to be actioned (linking to point 2).
[b]4) Get your 'virtual desk' in order[/b]
So much time can be wasted finding a way of working that is optimal for you. Spend some time at the start of your studies to find the software or tools that you will use to do things like manage notes, write reports, manage your reading/literature, whatever.
[b]5) Do a little bit every day, and give yourself credit for doing so[/b]
Long duration studies like degrees can be a draining experience and it can be so easy to let the days pass by without a lot of progress made on your work. Even doing the smallest amount of work (like a draft structure of a section of your thesis, just bullet points), every day (or at least the days you plan to work on your studies) can go a long way to making that mad rush before the assessment deadlines. Focus not on avoiding that deadline rush, but instead on tasks you can do to make that rush easier like structuring your essay, annotating reading and linking it with other literature, etc.
[b]1) It can be lonely, be sure to give yourself a break[/b]
I don't think the online resources prepare people for how isolated self-directed study (especially remotely) can be. Most of the time only you and your teachers will care or know about your field of study so trying to connect with others can be difficult. Make sure you give yourself some time to socialise and disconnect from both your studies and your employment.
[b]2) Set short, achieveable, deadlines[/b]
Modules, courses, or projects that have deadlines over months can be incredibly easy to procrastinate, doubly so remotely. I've found it really effective to either set your own short-term deadlines, or better yet negotiate them with your teachers/staff. 1-2 week blocks for either a short report, session notes, or any kind of deliverable are really good ways to keep yourself engaged.
[b]3) Keep meetings efficient[/b]
If you have the opportunity to meet with teachers/staff, get into the habit of making agendas with them or at least have an idea of what you want to talk about before you get into the meeting. When you wrap up the meeting set tasks for yourself and maybe them that needs to be actioned (linking to point 2).
[b]4) Get your 'virtual desk' in order[/b]
So much time can be wasted finding a way of working that is optimal for you. Spend some time at the start of your studies to find the software or tools that you will use to do things like manage notes, write reports, manage your reading/literature, whatever.
[b]5) Do a little bit every day, and give yourself credit for doing so[/b]
Long duration studies like degrees can be a draining experience and it can be so easy to let the days pass by without a lot of progress made on your work. Even doing the smallest amount of work (like a draft structure of a section of your thesis, just bullet points), every day (or at least the days you plan to work on your studies) can go a long way to making that mad rush before the assessment deadlines. Focus not on avoiding that deadline rush, but instead on tasks you can do to make that rush easier like structuring your essay, annotating reading and linking it with other literature, etc.
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