Hello everyone!
Can you believe it’s already week three?! I forget how these weeks during the term just fly by! This is my fifth year in college (i’m taking things slow) and my first time blogging, I don’t exactly know what i’m doing so this should be fun!
Lets start with my struggles and get that out of the way! Though I am a fifth year, this is my first year online, the past four years I was on campus with an online class here and there, so I am completely trying to re-accommodate my learning strategies to work with all my online courses. I am a very hands on, visual learner. Being an Ag Science major that works great because I have had a lot of classes that had labs or even field trips, but with online learning there are no soil labs or field trips to elk feeding grounds. I feel like it consist of a lot a reading, and that’s something that is hard for me to sit and do (unless its a novel by Jeannette Walls!), I tend to go from reading to quickly scanning the pages and then sometimes even dozing off. I know I can do it, its just going to take a little more motivation and maybe an extra cup of coffee.
Onward with my surprises. It was hard trying to think of something that had surprised me, thinking over the past couple weeks nothing came to mind until I thought about how well I have been able to manage my time with my classes. In the past I have been quite the procrastinator, an assignment was never late but I did have a few close calls, staying late in the library finishing up a paper that was due the next day. But this time I was worried it would be worse with online course, no classes at a certain time to get my butt out the door, no study group meetings between classes and work, for a bit I thought everything would be one big messy wad of school. Though I am writing this blog at midnight, the house is quiet with not distractions, my husband is working late, I have a handful peanut butter m&m’s and the dog is asleep at my feet, this is the perfect time to let my words flow! Not only and I surprised at how well I have been able to manage my time with classes, I am very proud of myself for it, something I thought would actual be a struggle but I am totally rocking it!
Upward with my strengths! For some reason its always easier to think of your struggles rather than your strengths. I think my greatest strength is my determination. Like I said, this is my fifth year in school, i’m so ready to be done after this year! Because of my determination, I think that is why I have been able to manage my time so well and work on overcoming my struggles.I know that in order to get my degree this spring I have to pass all my classes, and to pass my classes I need good grades; I am very determined to get good grades, to pass my classes to finally get that 30 thousand dollar piece of paper in the spring!
First off, I love your attitude that a new experience, like blogging for the first time, is fun! That tells me that you like trying new things. Also, great conversational writing style! I like how you added tidbits that give us a feeling for your personality.
Hearing from a student that’s done both on-ground and online classes is an interesting insight for me, being I’m starting at OSU as strictly an online learner. It’s interesting how your procrastination was actually improved by NOT having daily classes to keep you engaged. I’m finding that as a person with a tendency to procrastinate myself, I’ve done well with the online learning style as well.
I think talking about struggles might be easier to talk about than strengths because it stands out more when you’re struggling. It takes a more mindful attitude to focus on the positives, because they simply make life easier! Mindfulness is a practice I’m trying to incorporate more into my life as part of my interest in positive psychology. It could also be that you’re quite humble and feel more akin to sharing struggles than pointing out what you’re good at. Don’t be shy about voicing your positive attributes. We’ll rejoice with them too!
Determination has gotten you so far! That’s exciting that you’re looking at the final path to getting your degree! Just do your best and the rest will follow. : )
Hi Amber, funny how we thought we would struggle so much with online yet it is working out quite well for us! Its easy to come up with a quick list of our struggles while we sit there and “umm” and “hmm” trying to think of our strengths, but once you come up with a decent size list you can feel pretty good about your self, like you can accomplish so much!
Agreed! We can really say we’ve accomplished a lot during these first 3 weeks!
I love Coffee too! Congrats on this being your fifth and Fianna year! What an exciting time for you! I bet that as an Ag Science major you have and will get to experience some really cool stuff! I have found that if I am really struggling in the evening to get my reading done, like falling asleep that to try again is much better then trying to power though it. I know that i will not remember as much if I am more awake. I am more of a morning person but seem to do most of my school work at night, it is 10:45 now, my dog is to sleeping at my feet, toddler and hubby in bead and Dances with Wolves on the tv. Congratulations on being so close to graduation!
Coffee, isnt it great?! and Dances with Wolves, thats a good one! I have learned so much with an Ag Science major, its very interesting and such a passion of mine. You and I both struggle with our reading it sounds like, its hard to sit and read something that isnt much of an interest for us. I agree with you though, when I am reading and dozing off I cant retain any of the information I am reading, unlike if I am on full alert (due to many cups of coffee), I can fully understand what the assigned reading is about. But this just may be something I, and maybe you, have to work on, especially to be an online student. Good luck!
Good for you, surprising yourself! That’s always a reassuring feeling. I hope that next term I am able to share in your personal confidence on how we are doing online. I struggle horrifically to self manage my time, and am a wonderful procrastinator…. which in the past has worked out alright for me. I am finding that online, it just won’t go that way so I need to be more on top of it.. Any tips as to how you have done so well?
What do you plan on doing with your ag science major? I bet that is absolutely fascinating. I come from a very ag heavy town and know many people that went through either Oregon State or Washington State for their ag degree. Both very reputable! Good on you!
Although this is my fourth year I am in a pretty similar situation with having taken a few online classes over the years but this is my first year completely online. I’m surprised how much of a difference it makes to the work load when you’re taking a full schedule of classes online. I feel like I have something due everyday, at least. Congratulations on this being your last year! I cannot wait to be done with my undergrad either… now on to my masters :/
First I just want to say great job. You’ve obviously worked really hard and continue to work hard so that you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I also feel those late nights without distraction really help my words come together as well. Keep it up you’re almost there.