If you’re interested in undertaking tertiary study, but traditional on campus, full time education doesn’t fit in with your life or work commitments, Distance Education can offer you the flexibility to get your qualifications within your own timeframe.
Living in Bellingen, just inland from Coffs Harbour, mum of two Sue Maloney has had a lifelong involvement with horses and was interested in undertaking an animal science course to help her move in to a career in that field.
“I found there was an Equine Science Degree, which seemed too good to be true. However, the next hurdle was finding such a course offered externally. I was definitely looking for a Distance Education option. CSU not only provided an Equine Science course that included subjects I was extremely interested in but also offered the course externally, so it was perfect for me.” Sue studies two subjects per semester, while she works part time, trains horses and raises her two children. “To be able to do all these things at the same time is only possible with Distance Education.”
Supported online, Distance Education offers the flexibility, access and global resources that in some cases eclipse study in a traditional classroom setting, all to suit your work and life commitments.
“I’m an early morning type so I like to get up early and study for an hour or so before work. Then at the end of the day I do as much as I can until my brain calls a halt. On days when I’m not working I really get stuck into it especially when assignments and exams are due.”
Via the ‘virtual classroom’ people can interact and share information with others studying the same subjects, they can participate without the drawbacks of travel and timeframes. Universities can source the best people to lecture, using research from around the world.
At your own pace, you can undertake Distance Education, supported by online forums, wikis, blogs, podcasts, access to library resources and assignment submission. Tutors are available for consultation and you can also attend residential school every semester.
“It’s easy to access information via the net, study materials and modules just arrive in the mail and there’s an excellent Co op bookshop that posts out required textbooks on order. Studying by Distance Education teaches you how to organise your life especially in relation to time management and there are numerous support networks in the university to help you get started.”
The main benefit of Sue’s study has been to allow her to move in to her dream career, which she achieved within one year of starting her degree.
“I was no longer happy in the field I was working in. Within one year of starting the degree I was working with horses and within two years all my income was coming from horse related employment and my old job was gone. When I have completed my degree I will be more highly qualified and will have the time to pursue even more challenging positions in this field, plus I have been building up my experience level while studying.
“To anyone considering studying by Distance Education I’d say go for it.”
Author Resource:
Professor Ross Chambers is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Charles Sturt University (CSU), a position he has held since 2002. Prior to his present appointment he was Dean of the Faculty of Arts at CSU. http://www.csu.edu.au/study/distance-education/
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