Structure

I need it.

I realized this when taking some time to reflect upon the course I am taking right now online. This is my second online course, and even though it is with the same university, the instructor is different and how she has set up the learning environment online is much different from the course I took in the summer. It is definitely less structured and I don't know what made me realize this, but this lack of structure is what is overwhelming me in terms of this course as opposed to the one I took in the summer.

Thus, I reflected back upon what structure has meant in my life. I saw that I excelled in classes where there was enough structure, but enough room for me to explore, and I faltered in courses where the profs/teachers did not care so much to prepare the material and provide us with the necessary learning tools and materials. I distinctly remember a prof in university - he was definitely hardcore in terms of preparation, but he presented the material so well and when it came down to his tests and exams, although there was a lot of material because of how his course had been set up I always did well on his tests/exams. I actually enjoyed studying and learning in his classes. Yes, I am a geek of geography - it is quite interesting to me.

So, the morale of this post is, I excel with structure, and have to work a bit harder when there is a lack of it. Thus, I am going to have to dig a little deeper and work a little harder to not be overwhelmed by this course and learn what I need to learn.