PPPJJ or continuing studies through distance education programs is a matter that affects many

positive things on me. When I decide to further study and going to the School Of Distance

Education, it changes my routine life as a worker and student at the same time. Distance learning

is a system of learning that teachers and students are separates through physical distance with

only learning through print media such as books, video media, audio media and computer media.

Basically, gaining knowledge through distance education has affected me in four ways, which

are in the aspect of learning independently, time management, new friendship and also more

exposure in using information technology.

Learning independently is the biggest challenge for me because I need to study alone without

anyone such as teacher or friend who can guide me to learn. If don’t understand what I learn, it

so difficult for me to ask someone who can explain the matter what I studying. Place for study

also is the one problem for me because I don’t have suitable place for study. As a worker and

married person they are two place that I always being in the office or my house with my wife and

my son.

Another aspect that greatly affected my life is the change of time management in my current

lifestyle. Completing an assignment before the deadline always makes me worries because

having a lot of workload and managing family time. I have to be wise by dividing my time

briefly, so that my family will not be affected by my busy schedule as a part time student.

However, family and career are my priorities before I concentrate on my study. Furthermore, I

have a baby who also needs more attention. That is why the task of dividing family time, work

and study time is such a big matter to me and because of this, I feel that I have become more

matured, focused and wiser in planning my schedule ahead of time.

Through distance education, I also gained the exposure and skills of using information

technology in which online learning is used. Because of this exposure, I am now much more

skillful in searching for information in the internet and also know about the software because I

used a lot of software when doing an assignment. This knowledge also helps a lot for my work.

As a distance education student, computer knowledge is considered as an extremely important

medium especially to help students obtain the latest information through the learning portal

provided by the university. Overall, I truly feel that the exposure on computer skills not only has

provided me with new knowledge, but indirectly it has also developed my confidence level.

Advantage become a student I knew more friend and have a new friendship . The presence of a

new friend in completing a group assignment not only creates closer bonding between me and

my new friends but also broaden my mind in dealing with different people from different

backgrounds. From here the existence of the skills and the spirit of learning in the team can be

realized. It's a pleasure to learn and give opinions as each and every single friend of mine have

different experiences. Furthermore, I also find it more effective when studying in a group as

everyone can openly share their thoughts, ideas, suggestions, opinions and views on certain

issues. Thus, the spirit of co-operation between my friends has indirectly changed me to become

more open-minded, tolerant, and communicative.

As a conclusion, being a distance education student has changed so much of me and in so many

positive ways. Moreover, the best part about being a distance education student is that I can

become an idol and motivator to other people, especially to my family and friends. I can finally

prove that people are working also can be successful person in their study and improvement in

their career. If we know our responsibility and ultimate goal for ourselves, we can do anything

by being persistent because there is no shortcut for someone to succeed. Lastly, despite the time
constraints, work and family responsibilities which I carry, I still have made it so far because I

believe that with the correct strategy and learning skills, any problems can be solved completely.