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You've made your choice of program, now you need to get down to work. You understand what distance learning is all about, you've been admitted, you know your own needs, the books have arrived, you've got your log-on ID and it's all up to you.

Do you feel just a little trepidation? Well, you're not alone! Happily, mature adults are the most self-directed of all students. They are highly motivated - usually by the need to get a job, keep a job, or earn a promotion or raise. However, even highly self-disciplined adults can find it difficult to stay motivated, especially in the summer months when warm weather activities beckon, and almost "everyone else" is out of school.

This is where the need to find and keep a support system is important. A little encouragement, understanding and socializing is often all that most people need to keep their studies on track. People with computers and modems are fortunate because the same newsgroups, forums, and web sites that helped them learn about distance learning and the available schools, are often the same places they can turn to for support. These 'cyber gatherings' are also the place to pass on what you have learned - to the "newbies" just coming along asking "... how do I get started?"

Be Systematic

One very good routine that many people find useful is to commit to achieving one distance learning goal per day, every day, rain or shine. The goal may be as simple as ordering the next text book, downloading the newest posts from a newsgroup, or writing one paragraph on a term paper - or it can be as involved as a marathon study, research, or writing session. Others set aside certain times or days to devote exclusively to their studies. Just as one might invest a set sum of money each month to build a financial future, so does investing a set amount of time each month create a brighter future with a completed degree in it.

The key is to get into a daily habit. Little by little, the degree moves closer to completion.

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