Going the Distance
For a brief, shining moment in the year of 2020 all of us got to have the distance experience. And once again in 2021, we were all allowed to have it once again.
For some, this experience is all they have ever known. For others, they’ve seen what life on campus is like and for whatever reason have switched to distance study of their own accord.
Today, we gather intelligence, insight, and information from some of these people.
And with their intel, we will find out why these students are:
Going the Distance
Take a shot every time you read the word “distance” in this.
In terms of current study situation, I am a distance learner. Whilst I have the option to study on campus and could easily make my own way there and back every day, the stress of Covid-19, as well as exploring an always evolving state of alert levels in our country, prevents me from doing so.
The ease of leaving my bed, making a coffee, then going straight to my desk to begin study has been incredibly beneficial to me. Aside from not needing to lug my books and laptop on the bus, it means I can create my own learning environment in which I feel safe and comfortable.
It also means I can drink during lectures, which I totally wouldn’t do as I’m a good student, and I am certain that every reader of Massive would also abstain from doing this.
The switch from distance to on campus learning halfway through 2020 was a breath of fresh air, one that not every student will have had. For many, Massey is an experience which has been had solely behind a computer screen.
Today, we put a spotlight on our distance students, and find out from a few how it is to study the way they study.
“The Good”
I believe we all have an image that comes to mind when we hear the term “work from home”.
For me, it’s walking round in my PJs, studying from my bed, and having naps during my breaks.
While that all sounds super enticing, there are other reasons as to why someone would study via distance.
I gathered some insights from a few different students about their own experiences studying distance, starting with the positives.
“I have been really grateful for the flexibility that distance learning has offered me. Now that I’m postgrad and juggling classes with higher workloads, independent research, increased work commitments, volunteer work, and all the trials and tribulations of adult life (not to mention all of this happening during a global pandemic), distance study is what has kept me sane (and has allowed for essential 3pm nana naps).”
"Massive savings in time. Having to come all the way into campus for a two-hour lecture that ends 15 minutes early and consists of 40 minutes of 'talk between yourselves’ is exhausting. I thank the distance gods for the x2 button on my recorded lectures."
“The ultimate benefit is that you can study in your PJs in bed with a hot cup of coffee without the rush to get to classes around campus. It ultimately brings more freedom around how you wish to study and I think it's great.”
To be able to just pull lectures up on your computer whenever you're able is one of the greatest benefits of distance.
Universities in general have historically been ableist institutions and there have been so many barriers for certain people.
“Just as a few examples, distance study opens up opportunities for:
- Disabled people (I’m talking invisible disability as well – chronic pain, chronic fatigue, mental illness/distress, etc.).
- People who have children to care for and can only study at night.
- Those who work full-time and can only study on weekends.
- Those who live rurally or in small towns, for whom travelling into campus isn’t possible.”
“Distance study has made postgrad study an accessible option for me – I can work my study around my job and other commitments.”
I’d say it’s safe to assume that many of our distance students would not be able to study if distance learning was not an option.
From the answers I received, it’s easy to see that convenience and comfort are huge benefits to studying distance, alongside being very valid reasons to do so. Alongside that, distance also helps those who may had difficulty getting to university campus facilities to be able to further their education in an easy and less stressful manner.
“The Bad”
Distance learning is not all peaches and gravy though. Regardless of how simple and lovely distance study sounds, it presents its own challenges to students which can be just as tough as those faced by the on-campus crowd.
“Distance learning has made university both easier and tougher. The advantage is I can study when I want in my own space, the disadvantage is not getting to socialise face to face and not getting to participate in on-site clubs.”
Socialisation is such an important part of the university experience, and while there are work arounds through FaceTime study dates, joining online study groups and the like, sometimes face to face interaction cannot be substituted. In saying this, the distance Facebook groups are fantastic, and I highly recommend you join if you’re studying distance.
Shout out to Massey@Distance xoxoxo
Many students only have distance learning as their viable option for tertiary study, so if you’re not actively engaging with others via Stream or Facebook, it can start to feel like you’re alone in your struggle with study.
“The Insightful”
For any students who are studying on campus during these trying times, that are perhaps thinking of switching to distance studies for part of or the remainder of their degree, here’s some advice direct from two dedicated distance leaners!
“Make use of the Facebook groups that exist for Distance students! Massey@Distance is probably the biggest one, but there’s area-specific and subject-specific groups too. It’s an easy way to increase feelings of connection and community, and the support I’ve gotten from classmates in completely different towns is what got me through my undergrad and now postgrad. Even if you don’t use Facebook (totally valid), creating an account for the sole purpose of just using these groups is an extremely smart idea.”
“Distance learners, keep going. The road is going to be one hell of a rocky road. However, like all roads, the rocks eventually end and it is smooth sailing from there onwards. That smooth sailing is you receiving your certificate for all the hard work you put in. If you think you would be better suited to studying distance based due to more freedoms but less traditional learning experiences, go distance.”
Our distance learners make up such a massive (lol) part of the Massey community, whether they’ve never stepped foot on campus or have switched to studying via distance partway through their degree.
In a way, our distance learners have to work harder than the rest of us. Some are taking care of their family, raising kids, or working full-time jobs alongside trying to complete their degrees. Some are halfway across the world. And some are, like me, feeling the struggles and anxieties that living in Aotearoa’s Covid-19 era brings.
Regardless of their personal situations, the amount of self-control a distance student needs to have is nothing short of insane. Sometimes the hardest part of the study is just focusing on the screen in front of you. Because believe me, it isn’t easy to study when your PS4 is just down the hall and the beer fridge is over stocked and needs to be emptied.