Have you started an online course (or perhaps more than one) but a few weeks later it has come to a complete halt?

There could be a number of reasons for this and also several strategies to overcome the block. You need to look at your individual situation before deciding the best way forward.

1 Feeling Overwhelmed

Did you join one or more courses but are now wondering how you will manage to complete the work? Perhaps you started a course, then discovered it is taking more time or effort than you expected. In the Learning How to Learn course, we are shown how using a Pomodoro to start a big task can overcome that overwhelmed feeling. Often, getting started can be the hardest part of setting ourselves tasks to do.

2 Boring Course or not What You Expected

Are you finding the course interesting or are you bored by it? With the explosion of courses available on the internet these days, you may be able to relate better to a different course on a similar topic, or even a different subject. Class Central is an excellent resource that lists thousands of courses in hundreds of fields of study. If you are not enjoying one course, try another!

3 Broken Device or Internet

While you are waiting for a repair or replacement, what other options are available? Free or paid time on a computer at your local library, community centre, or internet café? When using publicly shared equipment, remember to close all browsers and documents after you finish. Also, delete your history if possible to preserve your privacy.

Can you borrow a device from a family member or friend? What about a second-hand, hired device or payment plan if you need, but can’t afford, a brand new replacement? If the problem is with your internet accessibility, can you use your own device connected to the internet at a library, coffee shop, or community facility?

4 Something Unexpected Came up

Life is full of unexpected events. The trick is to roll with them rather than fighting them and spending too much unproductive time feeling harassed and resentful. What if the car has broken down and now you have to arrange for it to be towed and repaired, while catching public transport everywhere for the next few days? Events like this can really take up massive amounts of valuable time. How to continue with your study?

Many course providers have mobile apps so you may be able to watch videos at the train station or on the bus. Always carry a pen and small notebook so you can jot down notes or thoughts even if you can only do the course in small chunks. Relaxation, mindfulness and breathing techniques may help if you find yourself feeling too stressed.

Sometimes, though, unexpected events can seriously derail your peace of mind. If this happens, give yourself permission to step back and make the most of taking a break from study. Promise yourself that you will get back to it when this temporary issue is resolved. Make a note in your calendar or diary to review your study plan in a few weeks or even in a few months.

5 Not Enough Time

Maybe you have simply overcommitted yourself and there truly aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. Taking a good look at your daily routine is a useful way to clarify whether you are really trying to do too much or if you should look at better time management techniques instead. It can be particularly difficult to find the time for self-paced courses because they do not have tight deadlines.

6 End Result not Worth the Effort

Often the reasons mentioned here are simply symptoms of a different problem. You may be worried that the effort you are putting in is not going to lead to a worthwhile result. What are the benefits of completing the course? Will success lead to career advancement or a more interesting job? Are you doing it purely for interest or to fill in time, without expecting a monetary reward? Did you enrol because someone advised you to, either because they thought it would help your career or because they thought it would be interesting for you? Will doing this course really lead to a better job or a happier life? This is a decision that only you can make.

Sometimes, the right decision is to drop the online course and look for fulfilment in other areas of your life. In other situations, the best decision is to knuckle down, avoid procrastination and reach those goals.

A Final Thought

Some people seem to take on the world and come out on top. That’s their life, not ours, and we cannot know what goes on behind the scenes in other people’s lives. We benefit more from looking at how we want to live our own life rather than comparing ourselves to others.

By Pat Bowden, published March 27, 2018.