Life as an Online Student
This week is midterms and I’m wondering how the semester is seriously half way over. During summer break I was wondering if it would be difficult to get back into college mode and finish my last year strong. Maybe it’s because I have fewer credit hours this semester than last or the fact that I’m trying to relax about life a little that this semester has seemed almost relaxing. *Almost.* Hay, oh, I mean ‘hey’ I’m not complaining. (The stupid pun is thanks to my Equine Nutrition final I took today.)
In the past I’ve worked really hard at the beginning of the week to get a lot of homework done so I could enjoy the weekend. Recently what I’ve found is that I’m happier when I don’t set these unrealistic goals of getting everything done by Wednesday afternoon, since I work on Tuesday and try to run Edie to piano on Monday. While that’s still my preference, I’m finding that as long as I have a good start on my homework by Wednesday afternoon I don’t mind doing a few assignments Thursday and Friday. The load is light enough this semester that I’ve had plenty of “spare” time which is unexpected but quite welcome.
This is when I love being an online student. I’ve done school in countless places, random times of the day, and at my own pace. Some days I get a lot accomplished at home while other times I find it beneficial to hit up a coffee shop and get away from the distractions around the house. Very few things about online school tie me down to being in a specific location at a specific time and I find that freedom both valuable and dangerous. When managed properly, that flexibility can give me incredible opportunities I would not have as an on-campus student. But there is discipline needed to maintain enough structure that I’m still accomplishing the goal of obtaining a degree. Some days and weeks are better than others, but overall I’d say it’s working out just fine.
The concern I have with online schooling is that with the nature of my degree–Equine Management–there’s this element of hands-on application that seems necessary to fully understand what I’m learning. If not hands-on application at least some direct communication with instructors. But there is still so much that I can apply with the gorgeous creatures in our backyard.
The other evening Mary Lydia and I spent some time working with her horse Sedona. Bandit was nosily peering over the fence so I snagged a few pictures. He’s really cute and photogenic. And his dapples emerge clearly this time of year.
Mary did great working with Sedona and it was fun because we were able to use some of the things I’ve learned in school and at camp. She groomed Sedona on a lead rope and for the most part didn’t let her eat–that’s an accomplishment! Then we played some red-light/green-light and Mary walk/trotted around the pen bareback like a pro!
I can’t even grasp how blessed I am to have these animals in my backyard and learn more about myself and them and God. I’m blessed to be receiving an education about them and while there are times I don’t take school quite as serious as I should (*ahem* about that Nutrition Final) the combination of learning about them and working with our own horses is truly a gift. And there’s no way of knowing this for certain, but I think I get more riding time in as an on-line student. So it’s working out just great.
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