How will you ever survive the balancing act of distance learning, work, and life?
Do not worry — you are not alone. Studying remotely through a distance college such as REGENT Business School is an excellent way to grow your career even while you work.
But no matter how flexible and rewarding this route can be, getting used to the balancing act can still be challenging.
Many of our students work full-time while caring for children or parents. Some are recent high school graduates who can dedicate their days to studying, but others have multiple responsibilities, including studies, work, and family.
Needless to say, any type of study programme has its share of stress. Luckily, things do not have to be overly stressful if you get proactive with your time and plan your life carefully.
The main challenges of distance learning
While distance learning can be a great option that makes studying possible for people who work full-time or have responsibilities outside of studies, it does come with challenges. These include the following:
Lack of structure and routine
One of the biggest challenges of distance learning is maintaining a solid structure and schedule. Since this mode of study is far more independent than on-campus learning, you have to set your own time limits and schedules.
This means you must practice self-discipline to study and complete assignments on time. Some may find this tricky, especially when balancing studies with work and family responsibilities.
Feelings of isolation
Distance learning removes the face-to-face interaction, which could be lonely for some. Unlike on-campus learning, you will not interact with fellow students as often.
Classroom discussions, group projects, and casual chats with classmates over lunch contribute to a vibrant learning environment. When replaced with forums or occasional video calls, however, connecting with others can feel less personal and more challenging.
Technology-related issues
With online learning dependent on technology, technical difficulties can sometimes challenge students. These inconveniences can disrupt the workflow and be frustrating. Plus, navigating new learning platforms can be tricky at first.
However, the proper planning strategies, learning environments, and support systems at home can easily solve all these issues.
How to manage distance learning effectively
How do you deal with the challenges of remote learning? Some online study tips that may help you include the following:
1. Set up a dedicated study space
Having a dedicated space to study can make things far easier. There is no need to scramble around and search for things. Instead, you have everything you need in one space, including your laptop, reliable internet for minimal disruptions, notebooks, textbooks, etc.
A dedicated workspace can also help you separate your studies from your personal life. This allows for a better work-life-study balance.
2. Find purpose and meaning
It sounds obvious, but life can quickly become overwhelming without purpose. You may wonder why you are putting yourself through this ordeal when you are knee-deep in assignments, dealing with work stress and sitting up late for the umpteenth night in a row.
This is when you reaffirm your purpose. You chose to invest in your future by studying further. You have dreams and dare to pursue them — something not everyone can do.
Remember why you decided to study and refer to it whenever necessary. Instead of being hard on yourself for feeling the pressure, be proud that you have made it this far!
Pro tip: Watching inspiring TED talks and videos is a great way to motivate yourself. These videos often put everything into perspective so you get inspired and look forward to achieving your goals instead of dreading the journey.
3. Be proactive with effective time management
You may wonder how to create a productive online study schedule. It ultimately comes down to being proactive, organised and consistent. You must set up a schedule and follow it to the best of your ability.
Set specific times in the day to study, time to relax, and time for everything else. Routine has a bad reputation for being boring, but it can be freeing in ways you never imagined.
Methods such as time-blocking can ensure you finish your work faster so there is more time for resting. By making time for yourself and your studies, you will soon feel in control of things… even when exam time comes around.
You could also set rewards for achieving tasks on your schedule. Just make sure that they are healthy rewards.
4. Look after yourself
As a hardworking student and employee, you wear many hats. You need to study, work, and meet your other obligations every day, but somewhere in there, you must also look after yourself.
That means taking time out of your day to exercise (ideally for 30 minutes each day), eating properly throughout the day, doing things that make you happy (whether that is making time for friends, watching movies, etc), and doing whatever else you can do to be kind to yourself.
FAQ
How do I deal with distractions while studying at home?
Staying focused in a busy home environment can be challenging with everyday distractions, such as household chores and loud family members.
The best way to manage this is to create a dedicated learning environment (ideally in a quiet part of the house) so you can concentrate on your studies.
If you have one, it can be at a desk in your bedroom or even the house study. You can also let your family members know when you are studying so they are less likely to make noise.
Can distance learning affect my mental health?
Managing stress in distance learning environments can be tricky. High levels of stress, isolation, or even burnout can have an impact on your mental health.
But, if you manage these things effectively, you can balance your studies, work, and family life in a manageable way. Some ways you can do so include:
- Manage your time so you ensure you set aside dedicated time to study, work, and rest.
- Make social connections with other students by asking them if you can connect with them outside class.
- Get help from your family and ask them for emotional support during stressful times. Sometimes, having a listening ear is more than enough to get you through times of high pressure.
How do I create a successful study environment at home?
Start by choosing a dedicated workspace. It does not have to be an entire room — just a tiny area where you can focus without distractions.
Good lighting is essential. Natural light is ideal, so position your desk near a window. If that is not an option, invest in a quality desk lamp to keep your space well-lit and energising.
Organisation is another key factor. Keep your study area tidy, with only the essentials within reach: pens, notebooks, chargers, and any required textbooks. A cluttered desk often leads to a cluttered mind.
Study one of REGENT’s distance learning courses
With the right approach, some proactive thinking and preparation, and support from friends and family, your distance learning course does not have to be overwhelming.
To learn more about remote education in South Africa, contact REGENT Business School today! We offer many different remote undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
P.S. Looking for more helpful advice? Check out our study tips for distance learning!
