Distance education: Avoid these common mistakes

More than 3 million adult learners will study online this fall — maybe even you. How can you successfully finish your courses and continue to earn your degree?

Graduation Ceremony June 12, 2004 Army and Navy Club, Washington, DC

“There are common mistakes many students make — whether they study online or attend traditional ‘brick and mortar’ universities,” says Dr. Frank McCluskey. “Unfortunately, these mistakes can stand in the way of career advancement.”

McCluskey is provost of American Public University System (www.apus.edu), which serves more than 12,000 online learners worldwide. American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU) are part of the University System.

Here are Dr. McCluskey’s tips for successful online learning:

1. Manage time effectively
Adult learners have tremendous demands on their time. Effectively managing work, family and school responsibilities — week in and week out — is critical. If you are concerned about time pressures, don’t be too ambitious with your course load in the beginning.

One of our students began pursuing his degree in criminal justice, despite a demanding schedule. He had just returned from Iraq. He was working full-time for the National Guard Bureau and part-time for his local police department. And he was helping to raise four children.

But, he decided, he couldn’t put off my education any longer and “was never going to be any less busy.” So he began with just two courses.

2. Make time for family
A supportive family is key to earning a degree as an adult learner. It’s up to you, though, to encourage such an environment by remaining involved with your family.

One business administration student at American Military University attends class while stationed with the U.S. Air Force in Portugal. He spends 30 minutes each Sunday evening planning his week’s work and school assignments. He reserves the rest of the day for his wife and three children. During the week, he studies in the evening — after he’s helped his kids with their homework.

His family understands that he is trying to “better our life situation.” In turn, they respect his privacy when it’s time to buckle down and get schoolwork done.

3. Create a good study environment
Like any higher education offering, online schools require a tremendous amount of reading and “thinking” time. A single course may require up to 10 hours of reading each week, in addition to research and assignments.

Find or create a quiet space that minimizes distractions and lets you stay focused. Some service members continue studying while deployed in Iraq. If they can carve out a good learning space, so can you.

4. Make the most of your university community
Online learning doesn’t have to be — and shouldn’t be — solitary.

• Look for ways to be part of a community.
• Take advantage of student services.
• Readily participate in newsgroups or chatrooms.
• Seek out professors that can be mentors, even after you leave school.
  • For example, one student earned his master’s degree in security management and now works for a private security firm. He turns to a former professor for input regarding difficult workplace issues.
  • Another student regularly uses AMU’s online research center — and calls on its librarian for tough research assignments. It has paid off. A paper he wrote as part of his master’s program was recently published in a history magazine.

5. Value the journey
Keep in mind that each course — each assignment — brings you closer to earning your degree. Certain courses may even benefit you immediately. For example, AMU students who complete the global terrorism course receive a United Nations certificate in peacekeeping.

It’s not only about earning your degree. It’s about lifelong learning. Ongoing education can help you make a difference in your family life, your community, your hometown, your country or even the world.

Visit AMU online at: www.amu.apus.edu, call us toll-free at 1-877-468-6268 or send us an e-mail to request more information.