21
Online Learning
E-Learning
Distance
Education
Although this option was not very appealing to me at the time of decision, it seemed to be the only viable solution. There are still deadlines to meet in the online school community for assignment submissions, but I am never restricted to only completing assignments or meeting with a class at a specific time of day. I can rise early to do coursework or stay up late at night to complete assignments. With a revolving and predictable schedule of assignment submissions, I am able to stay on schedule.
My future hopes are that this terminal degree will a) contribute to my finding a flexible career so that I can remain a caregiver to my husband while working from home, b) help me to meet my goal of helping the caregiver and military community in the area of distance education, and, with my experience, c) will make more opportunities available.
What advice do you have for other caregivers who want to go to school?
Consider an online degree program versus enrolling in a traditional school because:
How did you select schooling that was right for you? After attending a few college orientations, I quickly realized that taking courses on a campus was not an option. The class schedule, along with having a specific time of day to report to school, would hamper my ability to comply with any traditional school’s absenteeism policy.
There is flexibility to take courses at different times of the day based on one’s own personal, daily schedule.
Driving to a school campus for a scheduled class is added stress for caregivers. I know of caregivers who have the added stress of trying to resolve conflicting schedules due to caregiving duties and school schedules.
Caregiving duties are demanding as it is. A need to explain, write and request letters of excuse or deal with an absenteeism policy adds to caregiver burnout or mental strain.
As a full-time caregiver, my first priority and responsibility is to help my husband, so attending appointments or therapy treatments always take precedence. As a caregiver, it is best for me to attend school online because the pressures of attending school on a campus and at a specific time are eliminated.