Challenges of Challenges of Online Learning Online Learning While Balancing While Balancing

Life.......Life.......

ByBy

Jacque GruellJacque Gruell

Cindy KosterCindy Koster

Jenn ParkerJenn Parker

Denise SullivanDenise Sullivan

(and (and work)work)

There are challenges for There are challenges for non-traditional, mature, non-traditional, mature, female students with female students with multiple complex roles multiple complex roles and responsibilities.and responsibilities.

Their responsibilities may Their responsibilities may carry considerable carry considerable emotional, practical and emotional, practical and financial burdens.financial burdens.

Gayle, Lowe (2007)Gayle, Lowe (2007)

The Challenges:The Challenges:

Financial BurdensFinancial Burdens Workplace SupportWorkplace Support Maintaining Family RelationshipsMaintaining Family Relationships Fostering Social ConnectionsFostering Social Connections Tools for SuccessTools for Success Loyalty to SelfLoyalty to Self

Financial BurdensFinancial Burdens

How to finance higher educationHow to finance higher education Tuition reimbursementTuition reimbursement Student loansStudent loans ScholarshipsScholarships

Impact on family/household financesImpact on family/household finances Maintaining full time status at workMaintaining full time status at work Prioritizing purchasesPrioritizing purchases

Workplace SupportWorkplace SupportAdministrative/Organizational SupportAdministrative/Organizational Support

Tuition reimbursement programTuition reimbursement program Flexible work scheduleFlexible work schedule Educational advisor within the organization Educational advisor within the organization

Co-worker SupportCo-worker Support Providing plan of studyProviding plan of study Continue to be flexible and cooperativeContinue to be flexible and cooperative Maintain your passion to be a valued team playerMaintain your passion to be a valued team player

Students in professional careers may face difficult conflicts of loyalty Students in professional careers may face difficult conflicts of loyalty and priority between employment and personal development. and priority between employment and personal development. Lowe, Lowe,

Gayle (2007)Gayle (2007)

Maintaining Family Maintaining Family RelationshipsRelationships

Secure Cooperation and SupportSecure Cooperation and Support Negotiate a place and time for study within busy Negotiate a place and time for study within busy

lives. lives. Lowe, Gayle (2007)Lowe, Gayle (2007)

Conflicting Demands Create StressConflicting Demands Create Stress Manage clear boundaries with ourselves and for Manage clear boundaries with ourselves and for

familyfamily Show equal support in family member endeavorsShow equal support in family member endeavors

Fostering Social ConnectionsFostering Social Connections

FriendshipsFriendships Set aside/schedule time for friendsSet aside/schedule time for friends Be honest with friends about your obligationsBe honest with friends about your obligations

LaughterLaughter DonDon’’t take yourself too seriouslyt take yourself too seriously Make time to laugh with one anotherMake time to laugh with one another

Laughter infuses our life with joy. Laughter infuses our life with joy. Shriver (2000)Shriver (2000)

Tools for SuccessTools for Success

Adequate Learning EnvironmentAdequate Learning Environment Maintain optimal physical spaceMaintain optimal physical space Know your own learning styleKnow your own learning style Know your triggers that enhance learning or distract from Know your triggers that enhance learning or distract from

learning, i.e. soft musiclearning, i.e. soft music

ResourcesResources Adequate computer skillsAdequate computer skills ComputerComputer Classes/tutorialsClasses/tutorials Buddy support systemBuddy support system TAKE NURS 397 from Betty!TAKE NURS 397 from Betty!

Loyalty to SelfLoyalty to Self

PhysicalPhysical Adequate sleepAdequate sleep Exercise programExercise program

Managing Stress/AnxietyManaging Stress/Anxiety Meditation, yoga, massage, deep breathingMeditation, yoga, massage, deep breathing Develop effective coping mechanismsDevelop effective coping mechanisms

Maintain SpiritualityMaintain Spirituality Maintain religious/faith communityMaintain religious/faith community Know your own spiritual connectionsKnow your own spiritual connections

Time is a precious commodity. It Time is a precious commodity. It can be wasted or be used to its can be wasted or be used to its best advantage. best advantage. Powell (2001)Powell (2001)

References

Backman, C. L. (2004). Occupational balance: Exploring the relationships among daily occupations and their influence

on well-being. The Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(4), 202-210.

Lowe, J., & Gayle, V. (2007). Exploring the work/life/study balance: the experience of higher education students in a Scottish further education college. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 31(3), 225-238.

Powell, S. (2001). Balancing School, Work and Life. Educational Supplement, PA Times, 10, 8-9.

Shriver, M. (2000). Ten Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Went Out Into The Real World. New York: Warner Books, Inc.

Ventura, S., & Correia Templin, M. (2005). Five Star Teamwork. Dallas: The Walk the Talk Company.