The World Really IS Your Classroom!

Another reason why I have really enjoyed studying online is how I am able to take my work ANYWHERE! This feature is especially convenient during summer sessions as I can do my work on a dock, at the beach, in the park, or on the side of a cliff if I want to. I encourage you to reinvent your study and homework locations, especially with good weather!

One of my favorite moments while attending online courses was during the fall session when I was enrolled in Adult Developmental Psychology and I was reading Tuesday with Morrie on my back porch with my coffee, my favorite tree, the birds, and tears streaming down my face. Needless to say this environment was much nice than the average classroom and it allowed me to really connect to the subject matter; I know I would have held back on just how much the readings touched me if it were in a face-to-face discussion.

Also, I have learned in my current course, Cognitive Psychology, that studying and learning in different places helps with memory as it cuts down on environmental association of the new skills or facts being learned. Create your own classroom? Sounds great to me!

What Works for Me...and Maybe You!

As promised, I wanted to give a few pointers on what has worked for me for my online courses…

Mapping it Out:

- I have a binder for each session of courses I take that is organized with tabs for each course

-Every Sunday I look at the checklist for the week and write it down in my binder

-Being sure to write due dates (both day and time) for each assignment/post/etc.

Checking it Off:

-As I finish each task I check it off and move on to the next

Being in Communication:

-As an adult learner, things come up, especially as most of us are working fulltime

-I am sure to maintain communication with my professors if I foresee issues with due dates

-I do NOT recommend abusing policies, however, I have found that the professors at Lesley are understanding and want their students to be successful

Reading CAREFULLY:

-Because online learning relies so heavily on written instruction it is SO important to pay attention to details

-If you have questions, ask your professors

I know I have struggled with maintaining my time management for certain assignments due to my busy schedule; however, it is important to keep things in perspective. We are all doing the best we can and if you are enrolled in an online program it is clear that you are serious about your education; committed to bringing the classroom to you.

Keep it up!

Eileen

Introduction and Initial Thoughts

My name is Eileen Kielty and I am enrolled in Lesley’s online Bachelor’s in Psychology program. I was delighted to be asked to post to Lesley’s blog as I am a firm believer in the power of support and helping others along their journey. I have been a student at Lesley since August 2011 and have just finished up my seventh and eighth online courses and my fourth accelerated session (completing Fall I & II and Spring I & II).

My story, like most adult learners at Lesley, is a unique one. I am a professional dancer that started college at age 20, due to sustaining dance-related injuries my senior year of high school that forced me to take two years off before majoring in dance at Dean College in Franklin, MA. After completing my freshman year there, I spent a summer at The Ailey School in NYC, fell in love with the program, changed to an Associate’s degree, graduated the following spring from Dean, (Summa Cum Laude) and enrolled in Ailey’s year-long Independent Study Program. After completing a year in NYC, I moved back to Boston to dance with a company.

I have always been a fan of school and, especially funding things myself, my education has always been something I treasure and truly value. I soon realized that I wanted to continue my education in my other passion; psychology. I had originally planned on earning my Bachelor’s in Dance and my Associate’s in Psychology, conveniently, I just switched the two. The plan is to earn my Master’s in Expressive Arts/Movement Therapy and my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in the upcoming years.

Because my profession is so unpredictable, involves traveling between Boston and NYC and involves many project-based opportunities, Lesley’s online accelerated program was the answer! This program has allowed me to actively pursue my degree while actively pursuing my dance career. I have done homework on the train and the bus; on vacation and in my bathrobe. Not only are the professors incredibly engaged and invested in their students, the format and forums of the online program have allowed me to feel connected to my fellow classmates. My biggest worry was that I would feel alone in this process and would miss the face-to-face give and take that an on campus class provides. I can honestly say that this program has changed my view on online learning. I will share some tips that I have found to be helpful in my upcoming posts, but for now, that’s my introduction and my initial thoughts on Lesley’s online program.

Warmly,

Eileen