Reader’s Question:

I am a single parent and I took online degree to finish my Bachelor’s degree. I still have time to look after my son but I get so frazzled with the work load. How can I overcome the stress?

Carol

Burnsville, MN

Your stress is caused by a variety of factors, including the often heavier-than-normal workload, as many online courses are compressed to enable a faster completion time.

One way to minimize stress is to make sure that your computer is in good working order. A lot online students have experienced a computer breakdown or malfunction the day of a final exam, or when a project is due. Installing anti-virus software like Norton to weed out viruses that may disrupt the speed of your computer is important. You should also upgrade your memory if your computer is older than three years.

Along with your computer, your own physical conditional is of course very important. Unhealthy eating habits and lack of sleep can also cause your system to break down when it is put under stress.

Remember, as a distant learner, the purpose is to have fun and enjoy your learning experience and complete coursework at your own pace. So always make sure you have adequate breaks in between your study sessions to talk on the phone, mingle with your family, grab a snack, or even read something humorous and unrelated to your course.