This week we have invited our distance learning students to contribute writings that describe what their life as a distance learner is like.

Our second contribution is from Ken Wiegman, a student in UW-Platteville’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program.

A Week in the Life of a Distance Learner - Part 1
By Ken Wiegman

I have been asked to write about a week in the life of an online student, so I would like to start with a little background. I am a full-time student this semester enrolled in Crisis Intervention, as well as working on my seminar paper. Aside from school, I work full-time at UW-Platteville and am a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. My wife Ellen and I have three children: Alethiea, Andrea, and Erica. Week-to-week, there is always a lot going on.

The online program fits my life quite well, as it is more loosely structured than a normal classroom setting, giving me some flexibility to work around family, work, and everything else.

This week is spring break at UW-Platteville and I am off from work but, unfortunately, I am not vacationing. What I am doing is making up some missed time in the Guards. I will be in Madison all week working with the Guards, which brings up another good point about the online program: I can participate in classes from anywhere as long as I have internet access.

We have a built in spring break for Crisis Intervention, so I plan to spend a lot of time this week focusing on my research paper. However, as you will find out, the week may hold other surprises and a change of plans is always anticipated.