I have found that my strengths as an online learner have be my diligence and lack of procrastination.  I do have to admit there were several projects that came down to the wire but it had to do with time constraints and pressure to commitments to the outside world. I have had to say No a lot, but it does become more and more difficult as the term progresses. Taking what I have learned about time constraints I plan to be more active in my planning of my term from the beginning. Before the first day of class I will set a rough schedule for the term in conjunction with work and family.

I am creating a new office where i can establish the ideal learning environment for myself. Next term will hopefully be a lot smoother when I do not have to hunt for places to get work done.

I am still not sure about how I feel about resources available to me from OSU, honestly I love my adviser and she has been very helpful with my success so far. I really do feel I am out here on my own, but I know that is more of my doing. If I do need assistance I now know where to look. The areas I am most interested in take up more time that I am able to give at this point in my life. I am looking forward to contributing to my school upon completion of my degree.

My goal for next term is to not lose focus. I recently got one of my top 3 jobs I wanted upon graduation. I was not prepared to start working full time before the completion of my degree, but I have to. I could not pass up this opportunity and I cannot miss out on receiving my degree, I am one year one term away. My plan is to not look to receive all A’s like I have in the past but to push for strong B’s and be ok with C’s. This is very hard for me, but I need to find a balance with the two. Next term is full time work, full time family and full time school; if I am to take this on I have to be realistic and evaluate what my priorities are at the beginning of the term. I am taking this summer off from school, and next fall I will evaluate if it is possible based on how difficult spring term is.

Good luck all in your future ventures!

I am considering blogging about being an online learner. I realized today why on the first day the instructor clearly goes over the syllabus. I went in to take my first proctored exam, and did not even think twice about using my notes. This is even after the proctor asked “are you sure you can use your notes?” Because we were given one hour and twenty minutes for 40 questions and 6 essays after our weekly quizzes were 30 mins for 10 questions and 2 essays and were open notes I thought absolutely open notes. I am actually thinking the proctor should have stopped me. She never made it clear I could not use them. This was so out of character for me, I was totally embarrassed.

Read your syllabus entirely on the first day of class!

This class has been interesting as I try to catch up because I started at the end of week two. Trying to balance the elements of a good study ritual while rushing to complete projects as soon as I can has been interesting;  knowing the classes will only be getting more difficult.  working three days a week, being a dad, while taking four classes can be taxing. As I run though the projects of each of my classes I try to keep what I am learning in this class in mind. Setting up adequate times for each of my classes is what has been most difficult. I am doing Trigonometry and blogging while my daughter watches Winnie the Pooh.