Internal versus Online (Or why this semester has kicked my ass)

Two blog posts in one night, lucky people! I’m a night owl and have decided to get these typed up and posted so I don’t stress out about them any more than what I already have.

For the record, I do not advocate swearing or foul language in something to go online (especially if it could potentially be assessed – sorry Judy and Lori!) but the title fits this post.

This semester has kicked my ass.

I’ve just finished my four-year undergraduate degree which was completed internally. I was face-to-face with classmates and tutors every week. I was hounded every week, constantly reminded about homework and what was due the following week. I had a routine of a one-hour bus trip, coffee, class, lunch, class, one-hour bus trip home. Work, prepare for the next class, repeat.

Now, I’m a Master’s student, studying online for the first time and well on the way to earning that make-believe gold in procrastination.  I’ve struggled to find a routine that works, I’ve struggled with keeping up and I’ve found that emails are fairly easy to ignore (before typing this up, I cleared out my emails, ninety unread in my inbox and I’m not willing to admit how many were CSU … oops!).

I have, however, worked out that I am still good at all-nighters and at cramming. I’ve found that I HATE timezones with a passion and that I’m being pushed in new ways to actually get work done.
In amongst all of this, I’m enjoying it. I’m glad that I have only two subjects, I’m slowly getting a routine that works and while it still means I drink way too much coffee to wake up properly (night owl over here); I’m getting caught up. I’m starting assignments (still miss the one thousand word ones of my undergrad!), before they’re due and I actually (kinda!) know what I am doing!

I guess what I am trying to say is that I’m learning more than just being a Teacher Librarian. I’m learning that my partner can easily bribe me with Krispy Kreme doughnuts to get my work done. I’m learning my new routine and that cleaning the entire house does not get work done.
​
And I’m also learning that I should not be drafting blog posts at 11: 11pm on a Tuesday night. Time for sleep folks!