amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

hannahsorchard · 08-18-2009, 07:55 PM

My classes start on the 2nd and as that date is approaching I find myself still excited but increasingly more nervous as well. I have 4 classes now and I will have Jonas at home all day. He's getting a bit easier though as he is almost 3. I'm hoping to take him out hiking and stuff in the morning to wear him out so maybe I can get him napping again after lunch. That would free me up some study time. I can work on problems outside one by one while watching him if we are at the park etc. I will save my reading for night after hubby gets home from work... maybe. We'll see. My reading is interesting to me so I may be able to focus on it despite the three year old tornado

My classes are going to be

*Elementary Statistics
*Educational Psychology
*The Exceptional Individual and
*Computer Applications

I would love to hear any suggestions that you guys have for me. I haven't been in school for 12yrs and I'm sure there are things I'm not even thinking about yet.

I started to ask for ideas just from online students because I know it's a whole different ballgame for some people as far as discipline etc goes. But I would love to hear any suggestions traditional students have as well

Any time management tips etc.

And some already saw this so I apologize if it's seen again but I won a scholarship! I have never won anything like this before and it really gave me a boost to my confidence =) I was one of 2 chosen out of TONS of applicants. It was supposed to be one winner to receive a total of 2k for 500.00 a semester. But they had so many qualified applicants that they decided to split it between two of us. I was one of them though and I was almost in tears when I got the note card and an updated financial aid award letter

I had to write about why I chose Wisconsin College Online (It's a two year school for an AAS) and why I am choosing to go to school online. My first essay in 12yrs and I never thought I would win. But apparently it was good! So I am all proud of myself right now

So yeah... any tips would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

PoetMom · 08-21-2009, 08:34 PM

I guess my biggest tip is to know that the online classes ARE a little different and I would try to clear my schedule for the first week at least in order to adjust to being back in school.

hannahsorchard · 08-21-2009, 09:10 PM

Thank you! That is a great tip and thank you for replying. I'll make sure not to have much else planned that week. It's bad enough that I start on the 2nd and we are leaving on the 4th for Iowa for Labor Day weekend.

willowsmama · 08-21-2009, 10:51 PM

Schedule study time like any other appt. Schedule time to post and respond.
it's really easy to get busy and look at the time and OMG! it's 1115pm and posts are due by 1159 and crap! you meant ot read that chapter right after dinner but then someone got hurt adn you had to make dessert and then baths and and and ... lol

Getting feedback is harder online IME, if you are confused you have to ask specific questions. The instructor can't hear your voice and read your body language so all they have to go on is your posting/emailing.

hannahsorchard · 08-21-2009, 11:03 PM

Thank you! I am horrible about procrastination... really really bad. We literally live .2 miles from the public library now where we have moved to. It's open until 9pm Mon-Thurs so I am totally planning on heading there for a couple nights a week. I know if I am home I will end up saying "Jesse... let's watch a movie. I have 4 days to get this done. I have PLENTY of time!!!"

Yeah right. Last minute reports worked great when I was in college before but I don't think my family will appreciate me getting *****y and spending 24hrs locked up somewhere to get something done at the last minute. So yeah... I am scheduling 3hrs of library time 3 nights a week on my calendar so I will get 9hrs of work done that way.

Thank you, I really appreciate it!

I received my books the other day and have installed my CDs needed. Can log into my classes a week before classes start... I'm anxious to get started in a way. The first week is gonna suck with us going to Iowa but I can do it. That's going to be my mantra for a while "I can do it". Once I pass my first test in each class I think I will be able to breathe a bit more!

Breila · 08-22-2009, 11:19 AM

Hey girl! I took 4 online classes last semester, and am taking two grad level classes this semester. The difference for me though is that my 3yo was in preschool 3 days a week last year and will be there 5 days/week this year, so at least I have that available to me.

If you can get out of the house to the library like you said (and not be easily distracted by other online options like Amity, LOL) that will really help. I try to do work here, but I get way too easily distracted and everything ends up disjointed (I do a lot of writing). Last year I tried very hard to get as much as possible done in the mornings and would finish up after the kids went to bed at night. On the mornings C. was home, I would let him play Noggin or watch a movie in the morning while I worked.

Speaking of, I have one essay to finish and another to write before tomorrow, so I'll be going now, LOL.

kimberlee · 08-25-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoetMom

I guess my biggest tip is to know that the online classes ARE a little different and I would try to clear my schedule for the first week at least in order to adjust to being back in school.

I've had a full week this week with getting the kids back into school as well. The past two days have been overwhelming as I've tried to squeeze study time in anywhere. This is good advice.

hannahsorchard · 08-26-2009, 04:12 PM

Thanks guys. I hope you all have an awesome semester!!!

My classes are all live now and I have already posted my intros and even though classes don't start until the 2nd I am going to get started on a few things. Honestly there really isn't much work to do the first week or two from what I can see.

I'm so excited!