Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Brain Drain: Online Education Does NOT Equal Easy

Many of you (ok - maybe only my imaginary friends) may have been wondering where I have been hiding lately.

Truth is, I haven't been hiding. I have been right in front of you this whole time. However, I have recently decided to go back to school to get my degree, and let me tell you, it is exhausting work.

As if I wasn't busy before. Now, not only do I still have all my wifely and motherly duties, and my nearly impossible deadline set to have my book Mother's Day to be published May 12, 2013. (Yes - I know - publishing a book called Mother's Day on Mother's Day. I couldn't resist!), I have added a "fast-paced, no hold backs" online course to my full plate.

clock, time, never enough timeI have often times heard many people describe online courses as easy. Being that this isn't the first time I have taken an online course, I already knew what I was getting into. But when you are actually doing it, you forget how much time is actually used up by the sheer amount of reading, researching, and writing you must do. In fact, online courses are actually harder because you need to be more accountable for your work, and even teaching yourself.

I know finishing my degree is the right thing to do. I only wish I would have started it sooner, so I didn't have to waste some of my valuable Veteran's Benefits that will expire before I get a chance to completely exhaust them. But in the end, I know finishing my schooling will be the right thing for me.

Getting back into the swing of things has been difficult. It is the first class I have taken in several years. I am not used to studying, I am not used to writing thesis statements, and I certainly not used to those exciting textbooks with 300 pages worth of material to memorize.

Brain drain, brain fart, tired brain
When your brain seems drained,
even those tasks that often seemed
simple become difficult, like writing
a blog post.
I have been falling behind in my blogging, I have been falling behind in my online networking, I have just fallen behind.

So, if you have been wondering where I've been lately, I am still around. But I have found between my book and schooling and family, most of my time has been sucked up. Not to mention, after all the mental tasks I have had to do lately, my brain is drained.

Even writing this blog post was difficult!

Just know, I will be back and I will be smarter. Ok - maybe just more sarcastic due to being tired. But hey - at least that means I've gotten something out of school.

18 comments:

  1. If I had to go to school, my blogging would be non-existent! It's hard!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it's awesome that you're going back to school and doing your book, and everything else that you normally do. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It IS hard. I can understand: I tried to go back for my master's while working full time, and still trying to do some art and taking time to be a wife. I just wasn't feeling it. So...I put it on hold indefinitely. Not that you should - in fact, it's so empowering to do what you're doing. Maybe I'll go back at some point, too...but I gotz to admit...I am LOVING the blogging/writing/art/photography stuff. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. yes, it is hard. I wish you luck, Stacy!
    You can do it. Will be right here waiting up for you at the finish line...yeah!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It will be so worth it in the end, keep at it - we'll all still be here when you're done!

    ReplyDelete
  6. There will be days where you will be a second away from quitting. Don't. It's always even harder when you have a family and other obligations. But, you'll be so much better off when you get that little piece of paper that says "I did it!"

    ReplyDelete
  7. What's up, I want to subscribe for this website to get latest updates, therefore where can i do it please assist.

    my homepage - The web’s premiere DJ community

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a stuff of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable
    experience regarding unexpected emotions.

    Here is my page - 70s cartoon t shirts

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice post and lots of information about the provided education!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Heya i'm for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to present something again and aid others like you aided me.

    my blog post ... gaming t shirts

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your
    blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any points for first-time blog writers? I'd really appreciate it.


    Look at my page ... North Carolina laptop repair

    ReplyDelete
  12. When someone writes an post he/she retains the idea of a user in his/her mind
    that how a user can know it. Therefore that's why this piece of writing is outstdanding. Thanks!

    Also visit my web-site retro cartoon t-shirts

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's hard to come by experienced people about this topic, however, you sound like you know what you're talking about!
    Thanks

    Have a look at my weblog :: non plagiarized research paper

    ReplyDelete
  14. First off I would like to say great blog!
    I had a quick question in which I'd like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing. I've had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.

    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the
    first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted simply just trying to figure
    out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Thanks!

    Also visit my web page :: real estate directories

    ReplyDelete
  15. always i used to read smaller articles that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing which I am reading now.


    Also visit my site - buy broken computers Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
    I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.
    Any suggestions?

    Feel free to visit my site: 808 west cullowhee nc

    ReplyDelete
  17. Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with after that
    you can write otherwise it is difficult to write.


    my web page :: help with essay writing

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's great that you are getting ideas from this paragraph as well as from our argument made here.

    Here is my webpage ... local business index

    ReplyDelete

Virtual Mirror