[NAGDU] Training with my first dog while taking two light[er] online college courses?

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Miranda.
Your coursework doesn't sound too ambitious, so it could be done.  However,
I prefer to focus on the training while I'm in class, and find it hard to
really focus on anything else.  A bit of keeping up with email is all I can
manage, and not a lot of that.  You will have time when you're not actively
training and could do the work you describe, but you would also have to stay
aware of your new dog, and be ready to stop whatever you're doing quickly.
There are also other requirements on your time besides working training
routes--lectures, grooming, playing, obedience, and just plain hanging out
and resting.  There's also optional socializing with your classmates.  I've
learned a lot from my classmates over the years.  In fact, it was a couple
classmates who got me started towards the career that's served me well for
many years. 

I don't see a problem with going into class a week after returning from your
trip, if you feel it won't be too much of a scramble getting packed and
setting things in order for an extended absence.
The wifi at TSE is good; I don't recall any problems staying connected.

So, to sum up, I think you could do the corsework you've outlined, but it
might be wiser just to concentrate on training while you're in class. To me,
the main advantage of school training over home training is there are a lot
fewer distractions, and I try not to bring a lot of distractions with me.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Miranda B. via
NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2018 8:42 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Miranda B.
Subject: [NAGDU] Training with my first dog while taking two light[er]
online college courses?

Hi everyone,

I currently have a tentative class date to get my first dog at The Seeing
Eye in late May, but I'm admittedly impatient. I'm considering researching
whether it would be possible/practical to move my class date up to April,
and I would love input from anyone who has trained while taking online
classes. I do recognize that my goal and reason for going is to train and
bond with my dog, and I don't plan to be locked in my room away from my
classmates for every spare moment.

You may be asking why I don't consider a March class date. My reasoning for
this is two-fold. First, I am traveling out of the country for the first
time from March 17-24. Second, even if I was staying home for spring break,
I feel it would be less likely that the school would have an opening in
March.

As I noted, I'm traveling to the Dominican Republic with a team from my
university for an international field experience/study trip from March
17-24. Recognizing that this would be my first trip outside the United
States, I'm thinking through the implications of possibly moving my class
date to as soon as one week after my return from the Dominican Republic. I'm
thinking through my reverse culture shock, processing my trip, ETC. I'm
wondering if a week at home would be enough time.

 

Next, if I were to move my class date from May to April, I would be taking
two online courses at that time, and my training would fall in weeks 2-5 of
those courses. When I wrote out a daily to-do list for the 8 weeks of these
courses, I noted a few pros.

The readings are relatively short and easily spread throughout each week,
the longest of which is 15 pages and would take approximately 30 minutes to
complete.

Each class includes 15-20 minutes of video presentations per week, and I
could watch these while getting ready for breakfast on the weekends.

I have my required quizzes and discussion posts of 250-350 words scheduled
for the end of the week and weekends.

My two shorter writing assignments are able to be spread out, one of which
can span 2-3 weeks with some advanced preparation.

I'm estimating 1-2 hours per day during the week, and 2 hours per day on the
weekends for coursework.

I will have downloaded my course materials, discussion prompts, and video
presentations at the beginning of the courses, in order to minimize my need
to be online. This is in the event that I need to rely on my phone's data
plan for internet to submit assignments and complete quizzes, in case the
WiFi is unreliable.

Is this practical?

As my husband attended The Seeing Eye this past summer, I am familiar with
the long days and full schedules from 5:30 AM-8:00 PM. However, my husband
did note increased down time during the freelance portion of training.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Thanks as always for your feedback, and have a wonderful week!

 

Best wishes, Miranda

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